15 Expressions for Referring Back to a Point
In conversations, meetings, or presentations, it’s often helpful to connect new information back to what was previously discussed. Learning these 15 expressions for referring back to a point will help you create clear connections between ideas and strengthen your arguments. This guide provides phrases for both casual and formal situations.
Common Ways to Connect to Previous Points
Casual & Conversational Phrases
- As I was saying earlier,… A common way to return to a point that was interrupted. “As I was saying earlier, the main issue is with the delivery timeline.”
- Going back to what we discussed before,… Clearly signals a return to a previous topic. “Going back to what we discussed before about customer feedback, I have an update.”
- This relates to what [Name] mentioned earlier. Acknowledges someone’s previous contribution. “This relates to what Sarah mentioned earlier about budget constraints.”
- Remember when we talked about…? A friendly way to remind people of a previous discussion. “Remember when we talked about improving our online presence? I have some new data.”
- Like I said before,… A straightforward way to reiterate a previous statement. “Like I said before, the key is consistent communication.”
Formal & Professional References
- To return to my earlier point,… A professional way to revisit a previous argument. “To return to my earlier point, the data clearly shows a growing trend.”
- As previously mentioned,… A formal phrase often used in presentations and reports. “As previously mentioned, our primary focus is customer satisfaction.”
- Building on what we established earlier,… Shows progression from previous discussions. “Building on what we established earlier, let’s now look at implementation.”
- In reference to our previous discussion,… A formal way to connect to past conversations. “In reference to our previous discussion, I’ve prepared the documents you requested.”
- This connects back to the point I made about… Creates a clear logical connection. “This connects back to the point I made about market trends in my last presentation.”
Analytical & Academic References
- As noted in the previous section,… Common in academic or technical writing and speaking. “As noted in the previous section, these findings contradict earlier theories.”
- To elaborate on my previous comment,… Signals you’re adding more detail to an earlier point. “To elaborate on my previous comment, the timeline needs to account for testing.”
- This echoes the earlier observation that… Shows consistency with previous insights. “This echoes the earlier observation that customer preferences are shifting.”
- In line with our earlier findings,… Emphasizes consistency with previous data or conclusions. “In line with our earlier findings, the new data confirms our hypothesis.”
- To circle back to what we were discussing,… A natural way to return to the main topic. “To circle back to what we were discussing, the budget remains our biggest challenge.”
Real-Life Dialogues
Presenter: So these are the current market statistics.
Colleague: That’s interesting data. This relates to what Sarah mentioned earlier about seasonal trends.
Presenter: Exactly. To return to my earlier point, we need to account for these fluctuations in our planning.
Manager: We’ve covered the new software features. Any questions?
Team Member: Going back to what we discussed before about training, when will sessions be scheduled?
Manager: Good question. As I was saying earlier, training begins next Monday.
Quick Tips: Effective Referencing
| Situation | Recommended Expression | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Returning after an interruption | As I was saying earlier,… | It smoothly picks up the conversation where it left off. |
| Formal presentations or reports | As previously mentioned,… | It’s professional and clearly connects to established information. |
| Building on team discussions | Building on what we established earlier,… | It shows progression and values previous contributions. |
| Academic or analytical contexts | As noted in the previous section,… | It maintains formal tone while creating logical connections. |
Practice Tip
In your next conversation or meeting, try to consciously use one of these 15 expressions for referring back to a point. Notice how it helps create clearer connections in the discussion.
Why This Matters
- Using these phrases helps create coherence in conversations and presentations, making your arguments stronger.
- It demonstrates active listening and shows you value previous contributions to the discussion.
- Knowing these 15 expressions for referring back to a point helps you guide conversations and ensure important points aren’t forgotten.
Being able to skillfully refer back to previous points makes you a more effective communicator. With these phrases, you can create meaningful connections between ideas in any discussion. Happy learning! 😊
