How to say it · Speaking moves

Wrapping up what you're saying

You've given your answer or told your story, and now you need to finish it. A good last line makes you sound done on purpose, not out of words.

5 ways to say it

At a garden barbecue at sunset, Sam finishes his story to two friends, a ribbon tied in a bow beside him.

How formalCasualFormal

So that's whybest default So yeahchatty finish Anyway, that's about itdone talking All in alloverall verdict To sum uppresentations

Way 1 · best default

So that's why

You loop back to your main point, so the answer sounds complete. Great in a speaking test.

How formalMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

So that's why I'd rather live in a small town.

The food, the people, the sea... so that's why I keep going back.

In a conversation

A: Why do you like your hometown?
B: It's quiet, my family's there, and the food's amazing. So that's why I love it.

Common mistake

Not: It's quiet and the food is ~~good. That's all.~~

Say: It's quiet and the food is good, so that's why I love it.

"That's all" stops the answer dead. Going back to your main point makes it sound finished.

Practice saying this

Next: So yeah

Way 2 · chatty finish

So yeah

The relaxed full stop at the end of a story or chat. It tells people it's their turn.

How formalVery casual

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

And then the train finally came at midnight. So yeah, long day.

So yeah, I think I'll take the job.

In a conversation

A: How was the wedding?
B: Lovely, but it rained, and the band was two hours late. So yeah, a bit chaotic.

Common mistake

Not: ~~In conclusion,~~ the trip was great.

Say: So yeah, the trip was great.

"In conclusion" belongs in essays. In a chat, or even a speaking test, it sounds like you're reading aloud.

Practice saying this

Next: Anyway, that's about it

Way 3 · done talking

Anyway, that's about it

You've said everything you wanted to and you're handing the turn back. Calm, not apologetic.

How formalCasual

ToneCasual

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Anyway, that's about it. What about you?

We fixed it in the end. Anyway, that's about it from me.

Common mistake

Not: ~~That's all I can say.~~

Say: Anyway, that's about it.

"That's all I can say" sounds like you've run out of English. "That's about it" sounds like you've finished.

Practice saying this

Next: All in all

Way 4 · overall verdict

All in all

After the good and the bad, you give your overall opinion in one line.

How formalFormal

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

The hotel was small, but the staff were lovely. All in all, a great trip.

All in all, I think online classes work pretty well.

In a conversation

A: So, would you recommend the course?
B: Some of it was slow, but the teacher was brilliant. All in all, yes.

Practice saying this

Next: To sum up

Way 5 · presentations

To sum up

Formal and clear. You list your main points again at the end of a talk or meeting.

How formalVery formal

ToneFormal

Use itAt work

Examples

To sum up, we need more staff, a bigger budget and a new deadline.

So, to sum up: sales are up, but costs are up too.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

Pick the right one

Which would you say?

Read the moment, then choose the way that fits it best.

Now say it out loud

Pick one and practise it in a real conversation. Save the ones you want to remember.

So that's why So yeah Anyway, that's about it All in all

Which would you say?

Now say it out loud

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