Connecting ideas is a powerful way to make your point. In this article, you will learn some useful words you can use to make a point clearer. Let’s see what these three linkers or expressions mean.
Expressions to Make a Point Clearer
O sea (in other words)
You can make a point clearer using
Nunca jamás nos volvieron a llamar. O sea, que no quieren vernos más.
They never called us again. In other words, they don’t want to see us any more.
Aquella mujer embarazada no tiene hermanos, o sea, ella es hija única.
That pregnant woman has no siblings, in other words, she is an only child.
Las bebidas no están incluidas en el menú. O sea, si quieres tomar algo, tendrás que pagar más.
Drinks aren’t included in the price. In other words, if you want to drink something, you’ll have to pay more.
Tenía que conducir por una carretera completamente desconocida. O sea, tardé mucho más de lo normal en llegar a casa.
I had to drive down a completely unfamiliar road. In other words, it took me much longer than normal to get home.
Es decir (that is to say)
Another linker used to highlight or to make a point clearer is
Ese niño es un maleducado. Es decir, no se comporta bien nunca.
That boy is very rude. That is to say, he never behaves himself.
Nosotros no comemos ni carne ni pescado, es decir, somos vegetarianos.
We do not eat meat or fish, that is, we are vegetarians.
En algunos países el servicio militar es voluntario, es decir, no tienes que hacerlo si no quieres.
In some countries, military service is voluntary, that is to say, you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.
Para aprobar el examen, necesitas más de cinco puntos. Es decir, si tienes solo cuatro puntos, entonces has suspendido.
To pass the test, you need better than 5 points. That is to say, if you only have four points, you’ve failed.
Hay que tener en cuenta (you have to keep in mind)
The last expression we are going to see today that is used to make a point clearer is
Si no te gusta esa camiseta puedes devolverla, pero hay que tener en cuenta que la factura es necesaria.
If you don’t like that shirt you can return it, but you have to keep in mind that you need the receipt.
Tu idea es buena, pero hay que tener en cuenta otros factores. ¿Y si ese medicamento es peligroso para la salud?
Your idea is good, but you must take into account other factors. What if that medicine is harmful to one’s health?
Claro, a todos nos gustaría apoyar más los programas de arte, pero hay que tener en cuenta que no hay presupuesto para eso.
Of course we’d all like to support art programs more, but you have to keep in mind that we don’t have the budget for it.
La cuna está al lado de la ventana y fuera hay ventisca. Hay que tener en cuenta que las ráfagas de viento pueden despertar al bebé.
The cradle is next to the window and there’s a blizzard going on outside. You have to take into account that the gusts of wind might wake the baby.
Exercises
Let’s do the following exercises to practice the linkers or expressions used to make a point clearer in Spanish.