"In other words/that is" REFORMULATE what was said in a clearer or simpler way; "namely/specifically" SPECIFY or ENUMERATE the exact elements the general statement refers to. Their function is different even though both follow a general statement.
IN OTHER WORDS: introduces a reformulation — expresses the same idea in a different way, generally CLEARER, SIMPLER, or FROM ANOTHER ANGLE. "The project exceeded its budget by forty percent; in other words, it cost significantly more than planned." THAT IS / THAT IS TO SAY: formal equivalents of "in other words," slightly more technical or precise. "THAT IS" is the abbreviated form. "THAT IS TO SAY" is the full form. "The contract terminates upon notice; that is, either party may end it by notifying the other." Abbreviation: i.e. (from Latin "id est" = "that is") is used in academic and technical writing, equivalent to "that is." Never pronounce "i.e." in spoken English — say "that is" or "in other words."
The organization has decided to pursue a capital-light growth model; in other words, it will prioritize partnerships and licensing arrangements over direct investment and asset ownership.
The new remuneration policy applies to all permanent employees at grade five and above; that is to say, it covers approximately sixty-five percent of the total workforce.
The due diligence process revealed several material discrepancies in the target company's disclosed financials; in other words, the business is significantly less profitable than the initial information memorandum suggested.
NAMELY / SPECIFICALLY: connectors that SPECIFY or ENUMERATE the exact elements that constitute or represent the prior general statement. They do not reformulate the idea — they PRECISE it by listing the components. "Three markets are underperforming; namely, Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa" = that is (identifies exactly WHICH markets). "Several teams are affected, specifically the engineering and compliance teams" = specifically (identifies which). NAMELY: more formal. SPECIFICALLY: more common in spoken and semi-formal English. DIFFERENCE WITH IN OTHER WORDS: IN OTHER WORDS = "to put it another way, the same idea means..." NAMELY/SPECIFICALLY = "the exact elements are: X, Y, Z." ALSO: e.g. (from Latin "exempli gratia" = "for example") is different from i.e. — e.g. introduces EXAMPLES (some of several possible); i.e. introduces the COMPLETE reformulation. "I enjoy outdoor activities, e.g., hiking and cycling" (examples). "I enjoy hiking and cycling, i.e., my two main hobbies" (reformulation = only those two).
Four of the company's business units require a comprehensive operational review; namely, the logistics division, the retail segment, the corporate services function, and the newly acquired technology platform.
The proposed changes to the compensation structure will affect two specific groups of employees — specifically, those in commission-based sales roles and those holding retention agreements tied to the previous fiscal year's performance metrics.
The board has identified two strategic priorities for the coming eighteen months: namely, accelerating the digital transformation of the core business and expanding the geographic footprint into at least two additional high-growth markets.
Common mistake
CLASSIC CONFUSION: i.e. vs e.g. (very frequent in academic and technical English). i.e. = "that is" = "that is to say" = COMPLETE reformulation (what follows is the only correct way to understand what precedes). e.g. = "for example" = SAMPLE (what follows is one or several examples from a longer list). "You can use any programming language, i.e., Python" = INCORRECT if Python is just one example. Correct: "i.e., Python" only if Python is the ONLY option. "You can use any programming language, e.g., Python" = correct (Python is an example). Second error: "i.e." in spoken English. In a presentation, never say "i.e." — say "in other words" or "that is." Third error: "in other words" to introduce specifications: "We need resources; in other words, a project manager, a developer, and a tester" = not ideal. This specifies (lists the elements), it does not reformulate. Better: "namely, a project manager, a developer, and a tester."
Trick to remember it
REFORMULATION TABLE: IN OTHER WORDS = reformulates = "to put it another way, the same idea is..." THAT IS (i.e.) = technical or legal clarification = "that is to say, more precisely..." NAMELY = specifies a list = "which are: A, B, C." FOR EXAMPLE (e.g.) = partial sample = "for example (and there are more)." I.E. VS E.G. TEST: if you can add "and others" or "etc." after the example = e.g. If you cannot (the list is complete) = i.e. "I need support from key functions, e.g., finance and HR (and others)" = e.g. "The project requires two resources, i.e., a developer and a tester (= only those two, complete list)" = i.e.
Quick rule
In other words / That is (i.e.) = REFORMULATE the same idea differently. Namely / Specifically = SPECIFY the exact elements. E.g. = partial examples. I.e. = complete reformulation (not an example, it IS the definition). Never pronounce "i.e." aloud: say "that is" or "in other words."
Did you know?
The Latin abbreviations i.e. and e.g. are two of the most confused in written English, even by native speakers. A survey by the Oxford English Dictionary found that more than 50% of native English speakers use i.e. and e.g. interchangeably or incorrectly. The confusion is so widespread that many academic journal editors now specify in their style guides that authors should avoid i.e. and e.g. and replace them with "that is" and "for example" for greater clarity. Linguist David Crystal has noted that the "i.e./e.g. confusion" is one of the most democratic errors in English: it affects students, professors, lawyers, doctors, and journalists equally. Interestingly, in the original Latin, the distinction was perfectly clear: "id est" (i.e.) = "that is" (complete reformulation); "exempli gratia" (e.g.) = "by grace of example" (partial sample).
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The revised agreement requires that all parties fulfill their respective obligations within the specified timeframe; _____, any failure to deliver on schedule will be treated as a material breach subject to the remedies outlined in Section 7.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Several departments have flagged resource constraints as their primary obstacle to meeting the Q4 deliverables — _____, the data analytics team, the product development unit, and the regulatory compliance function.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
In other words / That is (i.e.) = REFORMULATE the same idea differently. Namely / Specifically = SPECIFY the exact elements. E.g. = partial examples. I.e. = complete reformulation (not an example, it IS the definition). Never pronounce "i.e." aloud: say "that is" or "in other words."
CLASSIC CONFUSION: i.e. vs e.g. (very frequent in academic and technical English). i.e. = "that is" = "that is to say" = COMPLETE reformulation (what follows is the only correct way to understand what precedes). e.g. = "for example" = SAMPLE (what follows is one or several examples from a longer list). "You can use any programming language, i.e., Python" = INCORRECT if Python is just one example. Correct: "i.e., Python" only if Python is the ONLY option. "You can use any programming language, e.g., Python" = correct (Python is an example). Second error: "i.e." in spoken English. In a presentation, never say "i.e." — say "in other words" or "that is." Third error: "in other words" to introduce specifications: "We need resources; in other words, a project manager, a developer, and a tester" = not ideal. This specifies (lists the elements), it does not reformulate. Better: "namely, a project manager, a developer, and a tester."
REFORMULATION TABLE: IN OTHER WORDS = reformulates = "to put it another way, the same idea is..." THAT IS (i.e.) = technical or legal clarification = "that is to say, more precisely..." NAMELY = specifies a list = "which are: A, B, C." FOR EXAMPLE (e.g.) = partial sample = "for example (and there are more)." I.E. VS E.G. TEST: if you can add "and others" or "etc." after the example = e.g. If you cannot (the list is complete) = i.e. "I need support from key functions, e.g., finance and HR (and others)" = e.g. "The project requires two resources, i.e., a developer and a tester (= only those two, complete list)" = i.e.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy