that is to say

To put it differently

That is to say introduces a clarification or restatement of what was just said, signaling that the speaker is about to express the same idea more precisely or in different words: The meeting is next Monday—that is to say, the fifteenth.

It functions like "in other words" or "namely," often appearing when the first attempt at explanation needs refinement.

Related

precisely · in other words · in fact · viz · as follows · exactly · to put it another way · spell out · indeed · strictly speaking · meaning · to be clear · in short · restate · let me explain · basically · paraphrase · like

Categories
Opposites
discourse function

that is to sayconversely

In opposite manner

in contrast · furthermore · on the contrary · moreover · in addition

precision of expression

that is to sayor something

Vague alternative indicator

sort of · kind of · roughly speaking · more or less · so to speak

Family

that, saying, says, that's, misstate, sayable, so to speak

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G