Writing Book 6 · Lesson 38

Chunks: useful phrases — bring the words back

You have met these and used them; now you use them where they actually belong.

The words

in other words
that is to say
for the most part
mostly
as a rule
usually
with respect to
about
on the whole
generally
to what extent
how far
in the case of
for
as far as I know
I believe

Watch how it is built

1in other words means about the same as that is to say.
In other words, plants need light.
2for the most part means about the same as mostly.
For the most part, results agreed.
3as a rule means about the same as usually.
As a rule, we test twice.

Two ways to say it

✗ In other words, plants need light. — this is not wrong, but it is everyday talk.

✓ In other words, plants need light. — this is how a writer says it.

Ask yourself: “Is this the exact word, or the nearest one I already knew?”

Remember

In other words. For the most part. On the whole.

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