Fixed expressions and formulaic language
A fixed expression is a multi-word phrase whose internal structure is frozen — you cannot vary the words, the word order, the prepositions, or the articles without breaking it. All things considered is fixed; all the things considered, all things being considered, considering all things are different phrases with different distributions. By and large is fixed; largely and by, by-and-large are wrong. In the final analysis is fixed; in the last analysis is acceptable but rarer in American English; in a final analysis is wrong.
At C2 these phrases are not vocabulary items. They are discourse markers — words that signal how the upcoming sentence relates to the previous one. All things considered signals I have weighed multiple factors and I am about to give the summary judgment. On balance signals the next claim takes the totality into account, not just one side. For all intents and purposes signals in functional terms, if not strictly technical ones, the next claim is true. When all is said and done signals after all the talk, the conclusion is X. Native readers process these markers as structural — they tell you what to do with the next clause before you have read it.
For the Russian-speaking C2 learner, fixed expressions are deceptively simple. The vocabulary is familiar. The trap is that they are not free to combine and not free to translate. Russian в конечном счёте maps roughly to in the final analysis, at the end of the day, or when all is said and done — but each of those English phrases has a slightly different register and discourse function. You cannot pick whichever sounds best; you have to pick the one that signals the right relationship to the previous claim.
This lesson covers the highest-frequency fixed expressions in American formal and journalistic English, organized by function: hedging, summarizing, conceding, qualifying, and concluding. Each has a function description, register note, and 2-3 example sentences. The closing matrices give the production set and the register placements.
Hedging at the grammar level (C1) Fillers and hedges (B1)Hedging — softening a claim
These expressions signal that the speaker is making a careful, qualified statement — leaving room for exceptions while still committing to the broad claim.
By and large
Function: generally speaking, with awareness of exceptions. Register: formal-friendly. Word order is fixed: by and large, never by large and, never large and by.
US examples:
- By and large, the new policy has worked, though there are pockets of resistance in the western division.
- American voters, by and large, do not pay close attention to off-year elections.
- The portfolio has, by and large, outperformed the benchmark over the cycle.
On the whole
Function: taking everything into account, with caveats acknowledged. Register: formal. Synonymous with by and large but slightly more formal.
US examples:
- On the whole, the conference was a success — three keynotes landed, one stumbled.
- On the whole, his record is one of competence rather than vision.
For the most part
Function: most of the time but not always. Register: register-neutral.
US examples:
- For the most part, the markets have absorbed the rate hikes without a recession.
- Students, for the most part, prefer the new schedule.
To a certain extent / to some extent
Function: partly true, with limits acknowledged. Register: formal-friendly.
US examples:
- To a certain extent, the failure was predictable from the early metrics.
- The complaint is valid to some extent, but the proposed remedy is excessive.
In a sense / in some sense
Function: true if interpreted a certain way; signals philosophical or interpretive care. Register: formal and academic.
US examples:
- In a sense, every translation is a kind of betrayal.
- The market, in some sense, is always anticipating the next cycle.
To some degree
Function: similar to to some extent, slightly more measured. Register: formal.
US examples:
- The Fed’s actions have, to some degree, dampened consumer demand.
- To some degree, the criticism is fair — the rollout was rushed.
Roughly speaking / broadly speaking
Function: approximating, not pretending precision. Register: formal-friendly.
US examples:
- Roughly speaking, the company has tripled in size over five years.
- Broadly speaking, the demographic shift favors the urban candidates.
Generally speaking
Function: as a general rule; signals that exceptions exist but are not central to the claim. Register: register-neutral and very common.
US examples:
- Generally speaking, consumer behavior is sticky — habits formed in childhood persist.
- Generally speaking, I would not recommend the strategy at this stage.
More or less
Function: approximately, give or take. Register: conversational and journalistic.
US examples:
- The numbers are more or less what we expected.
- The plan is, more or less, the one we drafted in March.
Conceding — granting a point
These expressions signal that the speaker is granting an opposing point or a complication before continuing with the main claim.
Granted / granted that
Function: I accept this point, but with more to say. Register: formal and journalistic.
US examples:
- Granted, the methodology has limitations. The findings are still significant.
- Granted that the budget is tight, the cuts to research are short-sighted.
Admittedly
Function: I acknowledge this, often introducing a weakness in one’s own argument. Register: formal.
US examples:
- Admittedly, the data set is small. The pattern is nonetheless striking.
- The proposal is, admittedly, ambitious.
To be fair
Function: to give appropriate weight to the other side. Register: register-neutral. Often introduces a defense of a position the speaker disagrees with.
US examples:
- The senator’s vote, to be fair, was consistent with his stated position.
- To be fair, the team was given an impossible deadline.
That said / having said that
Function: the preceding point is acknowledged, but the next point qualifies it. Functions as a hinge. Register: formal-friendly.
US examples:
- The methodology is sound. That said, the conclusions outrun the evidence.
- He’s been an effective administrator. Having said that, his strategic record is thin.
All the same / nevertheless / nonetheless
Function: despite that, the following holds. Register: formal.
US examples:
- The economy slowed in Q3. All the same, employment continued to grow.
- The proposal is controversial. Nevertheless, the board approved it unanimously.
- The criticism is harsh. Nonetheless, the underlying point is correct.
Even so
Function: despite that point, the conclusion stands. Register: register-neutral.
US examples:
- The data is preliminary. Even so, the trend is clear.
- His response was reasonable. Even so, the timing was wrong.
Be that as it may
Function: whatever the truth of that, we move on. A formal concession that closes a tangent. Register: formal and slightly literary. Frequent in legal and academic writing.
US examples:
- Whether the original intent was protective or punitive is debated. Be that as it may, the effect on the affected community was the same.
- The senator’s motives may have been mixed. Be that as it may, the vote went on the record.
Summarizing and concluding
These expressions signal that the speaker is delivering a summary judgment after considering multiple factors.
All things considered
Function: taking all the relevant factors into account, the summary is X. Register: formal-friendly. Used in business journalism, opinion writing, and considered conversation.
US examples:
- All things considered, the quarter was stronger than the headline number suggests.
- All things considered, she’s the right candidate for the role despite the public-relations risk.
- All things considered, the decision to settle was correct.
All things being equal
Function: holding other factors constant, the claim is X. Often used in economic and analytic prose. Register: formal.
US examples:
- All things being equal, lower interest rates produce higher equity valuations.
- All things being equal, the candidate from the larger state has the advantage in fundraising.
Note: all things being equal is conditional (holding factors constant). All things considered is summary (after weighing factors). They are not interchangeable.
In the final analysis
Function: after all the discussion, the deep judgment is X. Register: formal and slightly literary. The American form; British English sometimes uses in the last analysis.
US examples:
- In the final analysis, the policy was a failure of execution rather than design.
- In the final analysis, the merger destroyed more value than it created.
When all is said and done
Function: after all the discussion and action, the conclusion is X. Slightly more conversational than in the final analysis. Register: formal-friendly.
US examples:
- When all is said and done, the campaign will be remembered for the debate moment.
- When all is said and done, the project came in over budget and behind schedule, but on spec.
At the end of the day
Function: after everything, the bottom-line claim is X. The most common of the summary phrases — and overused in American business writing. Register: register-neutral, drifting toward cliché.
US examples:
- At the end of the day, customers want reliability over features.
- At the end of the day, the board has to approve the budget.
C2 note: at the end of the day is so overused that some writers avoid it. Ultimately, in the end, fundamentally, and in the final analysis are alternatives.
On balance
Function: weighing positives against negatives, the judgment is X. Register: formal.
US examples:
- On balance, the legislation is a step forward, though its enforcement provisions are weak.
- On balance, the team performed well despite the constraints.
The bottom line is
Function: the most important fact, regardless of the discussion. Often used as a sentence-opener for emphasis. Register: register-neutral. Very common in American business writing.
US examples:
- The bottom line is that we missed the quarter.
- Bottom line: we ship Friday or we don’t ship.
The long and short of it
Function: the summary version of a complicated situation. Register: register-neutral, slightly informal.
US examples:
- The long and short of it is that the regulator rejected the merger.
- Long and short of it: we need to rebuild the entire pipeline.
To put it briefly / in short / in brief
Function: condensing what has just been said into a sentence. Register: formal.
US examples:
- To put it briefly, the cost-benefit analysis does not support the project.
- In short, the proposal fails on three independent grounds.
To sum up / to summarize / in summary
Function: delivering an organized recap. Register: formal. Used in academic writing, presentations, executive memos.
US examples:
- To sum up, the data supports two of the three hypotheses.
- In summary, the policy has had three measurable effects.
Qualifying — adding precision
These expressions signal that the speaker is being careful with the boundaries of a claim. Each picks out a specific relationship between the technical description of a situation and its practical effect.
| Expression | Function | US example |
|---|---|---|
| for all intents and purposes | in every practical sense, even if not strictly technical | For all intents and purposes, the contract is signed — only the formal countersignature remains. |
| strictly speaking | if we apply the precise definition | Strictly speaking, the document is a memorandum of understanding, not a contract. |
| technically (speaking) | a precise but possibly minor distinction | Technically, the deadline is Friday at five — but legal accepts Monday morning in practice. |
| in effect | the practical result is X | The ruling in effect creates a new category of regulated speech. |
| in essence | at its core, removed from detail | In essence, the dispute is about who controls the data. |
| in particular | singling out one item from a class | Several committees objected. The judiciary committee, in particular, raised concerns. |
| above all | singling out the most important | Above all, the candidate must be able to win the general election. |
| among other things | citing one item among several | The bill funds, among other things, infrastructure and broadband expansion. |
Register: all are formal except technically (register-neutral) and among other things (register-neutral).
Note: a common error in writing is for all intensive purposes — this is wrong. The word is intents. The full phrase is for all intents and purposes.
Continuing — moving forward
These expressions signal continuation of an argument after a digression or a concession.
| Expression | Function | US example |
|---|---|---|
| at any rate | in any case, leaving aside the previous point | Whether the leak was intentional is unclear. At any rate, the damage is done. |
| in any case / in any event | regardless of preceding discussion | The ruling may be appealed. In any case, the immediate effect is significant. |
| as it stands / as it currently stands | based on the current situation | As it stands, the bill will not pass the Senate. |
| for the time being / for now | temporarily, until something changes | For the time being, the office will remain closed. |
US examples:
- For the time being, the office will remain closed.
- For now, the policy stays as written.
Productive vs recognition
| Function | Recognition required | High-value production |
|---|---|---|
| Hedging | all | by and large, for the most part, generally speaking |
| Conceding | all | granted, admittedly, that said, nevertheless, be that as it may |
| Summarizing | all | all things considered, in the final analysis, on balance, the bottom line |
| Qualifying | all | for all intents and purposes, strictly speaking, in effect, in essence |
| Continuing | all | at any rate, in any case, as it stands, for the time being |
Register matrix
| Register | Best fits | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Academic prose | all hedging; all qualifying; granted, admittedly, in the final analysis, on balance | at the end of the day (informal), the long and short of it |
| Legal writing | be that as it may, in effect, strictly speaking, for all intents and purposes | the long and short of it, at the end of the day |
| Journalism | all | none — journalism takes the full range |
| Business writing | by and large, that said, all things considered, on balance, the bottom line | be that as it may (too literary), in the final analysis (too formal for some contexts) |
| Casual conversation | more or less, generally speaking, at the end of the day, the long and short of it | strictly speaking (sounds pedantic), in the final analysis (too formal) |
| Political rhetoric | all things considered, on balance, when all is said and done, above all | strictly speaking, technically (sound legalistic) |
Common Russian-speaker mistakes
- Calque from Russian summary phrases. Russian в конечном счёте maps to in the final analysis in formal writing or at the end of the day in informal — not to in the conclusion (wrong) or at the end of the matter (wrong). Russian по большому счёту maps to by and large or on the whole — not to by the big account (wrong).
- Wrong word order in fixed phrases. Wrong: considered all things. Right: all things considered. Wrong: large and by. Right: by and large. Wrong: the short and long of it. Right: the long and short of it. These are frozen — do not vary.
- Spelling error: intents and purposes. A common writing error is for all intensive purposes — this is a folk-etymology mishearing. The correct phrase is for all intents and purposes.
- Substituting in summary in informal contexts. In summary is formal and academic. In casual or business contexts, bottom line or the long and short of it fits better. In summary, my dog is sick sounds parodic.
- Confusing all things considered (summary) with all things being equal (conditional). Wrong: All things being equal, the campaign was a success. (mixes a conditional with a past summary). Right: All things considered, the campaign was a success.
- Overusing at the end of the day. It is currently overused in American business writing and feels cliché. Replace half its uses with ultimately, in the final analysis, fundamentally, in the end, or no phrase at all.
- Treating fixed phrases as vocabulary words. Fixed phrases are discourse markers — they signal the relationship between sentences. Random insertion makes the prose feel disjointed. Use them when the function (hedging, conceding, summarizing) is needed.
Summary
- Fixed expressions are discourse markers. They signal how the next sentence relates to the previous one.
- Hedging: by and large, for the most part, generally speaking, to some extent.
- Conceding: granted, admittedly, to be fair, that said, nevertheless, be that as it may.
- Summarizing: all things considered, in the final analysis, on balance, the bottom line, when all is said and done.
- Qualifying: for all intents and purposes, strictly speaking, in effect, in essence.
- Continuing: at any rate, in any case, as it stands, for the time being.
- Word order and articles are frozen. Do not vary.
- Register matters: at the end of the day is conversational-business; in the final analysis is academic-formal.
- Use only one summary phrase per paragraph. Repetition signals limited vocabulary range.
- The phrases mean what they signal, not just what they paraphrase. All things being equal is conditional; all things considered is summary; they are not interchangeable.
This concludes the C2 Collocations & Idioms module. The next module continues C2 vocabulary work with abstract nominalizations, lexical density, and the structural vocabulary of academic and professional prose.