“In other words” — Meaning

 

🔹 “In other words” — Meaning

It’s a phrase used to restate something more clearly or simply.
Basically:
“Let me put it differently” or “to say it another way.”

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✅ Examples

• He’s allergic to nuts. In other words, he can’t eat peanut butter.
• The project is delayed due to funding. In other words, we can’t start yet.
• She’s very frugal. In other words, she doesn’t like spending money.

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🔹 Grammar note: “words” is plural

• The phrase is always “in other words”, plural, not singular.
• Native speakers never say “in other word.”

Why plural?

• It refers to the other way(s) of expressing the idea — there can be many words, not just one.

Think:

“In other words” = “expressed differently using other words”

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🔹 Structure

• Usually at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma:
  In other words, we need more time.
• Can appear in the middle for clarification:
  We need more time, in other words, we can’t finish today.

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🔹 Similar expressions

• To put it another way… (slightly more formal)
• That is to say… (formal, often in writing)
• Simply put… (casual, conversational)