“You give short answers, and then the conversation ends. Want to keep talking like a fluent speaker? There’s one simple trick: always explain why. I’ll show you how to do it — even if your vocabulary isn’t perfect.”

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DEFINITION / EXPLANATION : “WHY”

Explaining why is essential for fluent English conversation – it helps you express your thoughts clearly and keep conversations flowing naturally.
Adding reasons to your statements is like building a bridge between you and your listener – it helps them understand your perspective and creates meaningful dialogue.

REASON #1 + 3 EXAMPLES (Why it’s important to explain why)

Reason #1: Creates Natural Conversation Flow

When you explain why, you naturally extend the conversation and give others something to respond to.

Example Set 1: Sharing Food Preferences

Basic: “I love Italian food.”
Why it’s not effective: This statement ends the conversation without inviting further discussion.
With reasons: “I love Italian food because the fresh ingredients are always high quality, the cooking methods are simple but effective, and the dishes have the perfect balance of flavors.”

Example Set 2: Discussing Career Choices

Basic: “I want to become a teacher.”
Why it’s not effective: This doesn’t share your motivation or passion for teaching.
With reasons: “I want to become a teacher because I love helping others learn, I enjoy creating engaging lesson plans, and I want to make a positive impact on students’ futures.”

Example Set 3: Expressing Opinions

Basic: “That movie wasn’t good.”
Why it’s not effective: This doesn’t explain your perspective or invite discussion.
With reasons: “I didn’t enjoy the movie because the acting was poor, the storyline was confusing, and the ending made no sense.”

REASON #2 + 3 EXAMPLES (Why it’s important to explain why)

Reason #2: Shows Critical Thinking

Explaining your reasons demonstrates that you’ve thought deeply about your opinions and choices.

Example Set 1: Making Decisions

Basic: “I chose this university.”
Why it’s not effective: This doesn’t reveal your decision-making process.
With reasons: “I chose this university because it has an excellent reputation for research, offers generous scholarships, and is located in a vibrant city with many job opportunities.”

Example Set 2: Lifestyle Choices

Basic: “I started exercising regularly.”
Why it’s not effective: This doesn’t share your motivation or goals.
With reasons: “I started exercising regularly because it boosts my productivity at work, helps me manage my anxiety, and keeps me healthy.”

Example Set 3: Travel Preferences

Basic: “I prefer traveling in spring.”
Why it’s not effective: This doesn’t explain your reasoning or preferences.
With reasons: “I prefer traveling in spring because flights are cheaper, the temperature is perfect for sightseeing, and you can enjoy seasonal events like cherry blossom festivals.”

REASON #3 + 3 EXAMPLES (Why it’s important to explain why)

Reason #3: Builds Deeper Connections

When you share your reasons, you help others understand your perspective and find common ground.

Example Set 1: Discussing Hobbies

Basic: “I like playing guitar.”
Why it’s not effective: This doesn’t reveal your passion or connection to music.
With reasons: “I like playing guitar because it helps me relax, I enjoy creating my own music, and it’s a fun way to spend time with friends.”

Example Set 2: Living Preferences

Basic: “I want to live in the city.”
Why it’s not effective: This doesn’t explain your lifestyle preferences.
With reasons: “I want to live in the city because it’s convenient for shopping and entertainment, there are better job opportunities, and public transportation is easily accessible.”

Example Set 3: Cultural Interests

Basic: “I’m learning Korean.”
Why it’s not effective: This doesn’t share your motivation or cultural interests.
With reasons: “I’m learning Korean because I’m fascinated by Korean cinema, want to understand K-pop lyrics without translations, and plan to visit Seoul next year to experience the culture firsthand.”

STORYTIME

Recording a video for my dad’s 60th birthday when I was in South Korea

Episode Description:

Want to sound more fluent in English? In this episode, we explore a powerful technique that can transform your English speaking skills: explaining why. Learn how this simple yet effective strategy can help you create natural conversations, demonstrate critical thinking, and build deeper connections with others.

Key Points:

The importance of extending beyond basic statements in conversations
How explaining ‘why’ creates natural conversation flow and keeps discussions going
Using reasons to demonstrate critical thinking and decision-making skills
Building deeper connections through detailed explanations
Real-world examples covering topics like food preferences, career choices, hobbies, and lifestyle decisions

Featured Examples Include:

How to discuss food preferences effectively
Expressing career aspirations with depth
Sharing opinions about entertainment
Explaining educational choices
Discussing lifestyle and travel preferences

Learn More:

FluencyPanion Notebook: https://shop.speakenglishwithtiffani.com/products/fluencypanion-your-english-fluency-notebook

Speak English Like A Native Course: https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/seln