Update...

Summarizing... [a higher order language skill]

In English-speaking countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK, informal speech and slang are often used to paraphrase or summarize what someone has said, demonstrating active listening. Here are some common phrases:

USA:

1. "So, what you're saying is..."

   • Indicates that you are about to paraphrase the main points of what the speaker has said.

2. "In other words..."

   • Used to rephrase the speaker's statement for clarity or confirmation.

3. "If I got this right..."

   • Shows that you are trying to confirm your understanding of the speaker’s point.

4. "Basically..."

   • Used to summarize the speaker's message in a concise way.

5. "Let me get this straight..."

   • Indicates that you are clarifying your understanding of what has been said.

Canada:

1. "So, you mean..."

   • Used to rephrase the speaker's message to confirm understanding.

2. "Just to make sure I understand..."

   • Indicates a desire to clarify and confirm comprehension.

3. "I hear you saying..."

   • Reflects active listening and an attempt to paraphrase.

4. "So, if I understand correctly..."

   • Shows that you are summarizing the speaker’s point to ensure accuracy.

5. "Basically, you're saying..."

   • Summarizes the main point of what the speaker has said.

Australia:

1. "So, you're saying..."

   • A common way to paraphrase and confirm understanding.

2. "In other words..."

   • Rephrases the speaker’s statement for clarity.

3. "Just to be clear..."

   • Indicates that you want to ensure understanding and accuracy.

4. "Right, so what you mean is..."

   • Summarizes the speaker’s message to confirm comprehension.

5. "To put it simply..."

   • Used to summarize the speaker's point in a straightforward manner.

UK:

1. "So, what you're getting at is..."

   • Indicates that you are summarizing the main point of the speaker's message.

2. "If I understand you correctly..."

   • Shows that you are confirming your understanding of what has been said.

3. "In a nutshell..."

   • Used to provide a brief summary of the speaker's statement.

4. "So, basically..."

   • Summarizes the main idea of the speaker’s message.

5. "Just to clarify..."

   • Indicates that you want to make sure you understand the speaker correctly.

These phrases help show that you are actively engaged in the conversation and are making an effort to understand and accurately represent what the speaker has said.