Reformulation and Exemplifying

Clear writing often says something twice for two different reasons. A writer may restate an idea in plainer words, replace an inaccurate phrase, narrow a broad claim, or support it with an example. Greek has different markers for these jobs, and using them precisely keeps explanation from turning into repetition.

The central distinction is simple: reformulation presents another version of the same intended message, while exemplification selects one member or case that supports a broader point. English that is / i.e. and for example / e.g. make a similar distinction, but their Greek equivalents have their own position and register.

Restate a complete idea with με άλλα λόγια

Με άλλα λόγια means “in other words.” It normally introduces a fuller restatement that the reader should understand as equivalent in practical meaning to the previous claim. It is neutral in careful speech and especially common in organized writing (formal).

Η υπηρεσία θα λειτουργεί με μειωμένο προσωπικό· με άλλα λόγια, οι απαντήσεις μπορεί να καθυστερούν.

i ipiresía tha lituryí me mioméno prosopikó; me ála lóya, i apandísis borí na kathisterún

The service will operate with reduced staff; in other words, responses may be delayed. (formal writing)

Η συμφωνία δεν ανανεώνεται αυτόματα. Με άλλα λόγια, πρέπει να υπογράψουμε νέο συμβόλαιο.

i simfonía dhen ananeónete aftómata. me ála lóya, prépi na ipoghrápsume néo simvóleo

The agreement is not renewed automatically. In other words, we have to sign a new contract.

The second sentence need not repeat every detail. It translates the first statement into its consequence for the people involved. If the second statement merely follows logically rather than explains what the first amounts to, a consequence marker such as άρα may fit better.

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Use the equivalence test: if the second formulation could replace the first for the current purpose, choose a reformulator. If it is only one case among many, choose an example marker.

Correct yourself with ή καλύτερα

Ή καλύτερα means “or rather.” It tells the listener to revise or replace an earlier expression. The correction can change a date, choose a more exact description, or strengthen a claim. Bare καλύτερα also occurs after a pause, but the full ή καλύτερα makes the repair unmistakable.

Θα έρθω την Τετάρτη — ή καλύτερα, την Πέμπτη το πρωί.

tha értho tin Tetárti — i kalítera, tin Pémpti to proí

I'll come on Wednesday—or rather, on Thursday morning.

Η συζήτηση ήταν δύσκολη, ή καλύτερα, εντελώς αδιέξοδη.

i sizítisi ítan dhískoli, i kalítera, endelós adhiéksodhi

The discussion was difficult—or rather, completely deadlocked.

This differs from αλλά. The speaker is not contrasting two coexisting facts; the second phrase supersedes the first wording. In spontaneous conversation, δηλαδή can also perform self-repair, but its broader conversational and questioning uses belong to the dedicated δηλαδή page.

Narrow a claim with συγκεκριμένα

Συγκεκριμένα means “specifically” or “to be precise.” It moves from a broad category to the exact people, items, or facts intended. Sentence-initial Συγκεκριμένα, is common in reports (formal); it can also appear after the general phrase it narrows.

Η ομάδα χρειάζεται ενίσχυση, συγκεκριμένα έναν μηχανικό και δύο τεχνικούς.

i omádha chriázete eníschisi, singekriména énan michanikó ke dhío technikús

The team needs additional staff, specifically one engineer and two technicians.

Εξετάσαμε τρία ζητήματα. Συγκεκριμένα, συζητήσαμε το κόστος, το χρονοδιάγραμμα και την ασφάλεια.

eksetásame tría zitímata. singekriména, sizitísame to kóstos, to chronodhiághrama ke tin asfália

We examined three issues. Specifically, we discussed cost, scheduling, and safety. (formal)

Unlike με άλλα λόγια, συγκεκριμένα does not promise a new paraphrase of the whole claim. It zooms in on the content that matters.

Introduce one supporting case

Neutral για παράδειγμα is the safest all-register choice for “for example.” It can introduce a phrase, clause, or sentence. Sentence-initial and parenthetical uses are normally separated by a comma in edited prose.

Μπορούμε να μειώσουμε τα έξοδα· για παράδειγμα, να κάνουμε τις περισσότερες συναντήσεις διαδικτυακά.

borúme na miósume ta éksodha; ya parádhighma, na kánume tis perisóteres sinandísis dhiadhiktiaká

We can reduce expenses; for example, we can hold most meetings online.

Ορισμένα φυτά αντέχουν στην ξηρασία, για παράδειγμα το θυμάρι και η λεβάντα.

orisména fitá andéchun stin ksirasía, ya parádhighma to thimári ke i levánda

Some plants withstand drought, for example thyme and lavender.

Παραδείγματος χάρη is also standard and somewhat more deliberate. Learned παραδείγματος χάριν is common in academic and formal prose. These are a register pair, not a correct and an incorrect version.

Η έρευνα λαμβάνει υπόψη εξωτερικούς παράγοντες, παραδείγματος χάριν τις μεταβολές στις τιμές της ενέργειας.

i érevna lamváni ipópsi eksoterikús parághondes, paradhíghmatos chárin tis metavolés stis timés tis enéryias

The study takes external factors into account, for example changes in energy prices. (academic)

Use όπως inside the sentence

Όπως means “such as” when it introduces examples that are grammatically integrated into the larger phrase. It normally stands directly before the example and does not behave like a detachable sentence-initial connector.

Δείκτες όπως η κατανάλωση ενέργειας και η χρήση νερού μετρούνται κάθε μήνα.

dhíktes ópos i katanálosi enéryias ke i chrísi nerú metriúnde káthe mína

Indicators such as energy consumption and water use are measured every month.

Χρειαζόμαστε εργαλεία που να λειτουργούν χωρίς σύνδεση, όπως ένα τοπικό αντίγραφο της βάσης.

chriazómaste erghalía pu na liturghún chorís síndhesi, ópos éna topikó andíghrafo tis vásis

We need tools that work offline, such as a local copy of the database.

The first example names representative members of a class; it does not claim that the two indicators exhaust the class.

δηλαδή and π.χ. are not twins

Δηλαδή tells the reader “interpret the first expression as this clearer or narrower one.” Π.χ. tells the reader “here is one possible instance.” Compare the direction of the two relations:

Οι περισσότερες αιτήσεις θα υποβάλλονται ηλεκτρονικά· δηλαδή, το έντυπο θα χρησιμοποιείται μόνο κατ' εξαίρεση.

i perisóteres etísis tha ipoválonde ilektroniká; dhiladhí, to índipo tha chrisimopiíte móno kat ekséresi

Most applications will be submitted electronically; that is, the paper form will be used only exceptionally.

Ορισμένες υπηρεσίες θα παρέχονται ηλεκτρονικά, π.χ. η έκδοση απλών πιστοποιητικών.

orisménes ipiresíes tha paréchonde ilektroniká, pi chi i ékdhosi aplón pistopiitikón

Some services will be provided electronically, e.g. the issuing of simple certificates.

The abbreviation is written π.χ., read either πι χι or as the full phrase. Its stops, capitalization, and contrast with era abbreviation π.Χ. belong to Greek abbreviations.

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In edited prose, alternate the structure as well as the marker. A reformulation can follow a semicolon or new sentence; an integrated όπως-phrase often needs no separate punctuation at all.

Common Mistakes

1. Giving neuter plural λόγια a feminine adjective.

❌ Με άλλες λόγια, η συνάντηση ακυρώνεται.

Incorrect—the fixed phrase has neuter plural άλλα λόγια.

✅ Με άλλα λόγια, η συνάντηση ακυρώνεται.

me ála lóya, i sinándisi akirónete

In other words, the meeting is cancelled.

2. Adding a genitive ending to the fixed example phrase.

❌ Παραδείγματος χάρης, μπορούμε να αλλάξουμε την ημερομηνία.

Incorrect—the standard forms are παραδείγματος χάρη and formal χάριν.

✅ Παραδείγματος χάρη, μπορούμε να αλλάξουμε την ημερομηνία.

paradhíghmatos chári, borúme na aláksume tin imerominía

For example, we can change the date.

3. Substituting an inflected adjective for the adverb συγκεκριμένα.

❌ Συγκεκριμένος, χρειαζόμαστε περισσότερες πληροφορίες για το κόστος.

Incorrect—the sentence-level marker is the invariable adverb συγκεκριμένα.

✅ Συγκεκριμένα, χρειαζόμαστε περισσότερες πληροφορίες για το κόστος.

singekriména, chriazómaste perisóteres pliroforíes ya to kóstos

Specifically, we need more information about the cost.

Key Takeaways

Με άλλα λόγια restates; ή καλύτερα replaces earlier wording; συγκεκριμένα narrows.
Για παράδειγμα / παραδείγματος χάρη / χάριν / π.χ. introduce an instance; όπως integrates examples inside a phrase.
Δηλαδή clarifies what a statement means, while π.χ. selects one case that illustrates it.
Register and punctuation are part of the choice, not decoration added afterward.