the gist is as follows

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the gist is as follows" is correct and is often used in both spoken and written English.
The phrase is used to introduce a brief summary of a particular topic or idea. For example: "The gist is as follows: implementing an effective rewards program can help to motivate employees, improving their engagement and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The gist is as follows.

The Economist

You can find the full thing here, but the gist is as follows: OneNote for Mac, and the larger Microsoft OneNote strategy, are popular.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The primary locations of GIST were as follows: small intestine (9), stomach (5), rectum (2) and mesenteric (1).

British Journal of Cancer

The other treatments administered to patients with GIST were as follows: sorafenib (11 patients), nilotinib (6 patients), IM+nilotinib (2 patients), masatinib (2 patients) and motesanib (1 patient).

British Journal of Cancer

Of the 23 tumours stained positive for Cyclin H the distribution with regard to the different risk categories was as follows: 11 of 39 high risk GIST (28%), 4 of 19 intermediate risk (21%) and 8 of 35 low or very low risk GIST (23%).

BMC Cancer

The patient exclusion criteria were as follows: 1) underwent R1/2 (margin-positive) resection; and 2) locally advanced GIST.

BMC Gastroenterology

Colloquially, the gist is defined as "the sentence one uses to describe a stimulus".

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

But the gist is clear.

The New Yorker

The gist is this: hereabouts, there are bridges.

The Guardian

Whatever: the gist is The Flash runs fast.

Huffington Post

But the gist was there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the gist is as follows" to introduce a concise summary after a more detailed explanation. This helps readers quickly grasp the main point.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple paragraphs or sections with "the gist is as follows". Use varied introductory phrases to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the gist is as follows" functions as an introductory phrase, specifically used to signal that a concise summary or the most important points of a preceding discussion will be presented. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's used to provide a brief overview.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the gist is as follows" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a concise summary or key points. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for professional and news contexts, though relatively rare. While grammatically sound, overuse can make writing monotonous; therefore, alternatives such as "here's the summary" or "the essence is" can enhance clarity and engagement. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to maintain a clear and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the essence is

Emphasizes core meaning, replacing "gist" with "essence".

here's the summary

Replaces "gist" with "summary" for a more direct statement.

the bottom line is

Emphasizes the most important consideration or outcome.

here's the takeaway

Highlights the key conclusion or understanding.

essentially, it means

Focuses on clarifying the fundamental meaning.

in summary, it's this

Uses "in summary" to explicitly indicate a concise recap.

to put it briefly

Indicates a short explanation or summary will follow.

the main points are these

Focuses on highlighting key points instead of a general overview.

in a nutshell

An informal expression meaning to present something concisely.

the long and short of it

An idiomatic way to suggest brevity after a longer discussion, less formal.

FAQs

How can I use "the gist is as follows" in a sentence?

Use "the gist is as follows" to introduce a concise summary or explanation of something that has been discussed at length. For example, "After reviewing the data, the gist is as follows: sales increased by 15%."

What are some alternatives to "the gist is as follows"?

You can use alternatives like "here's the summary", "in summary, it's this", or "the essence is" to introduce a summary or main point.

Is "the gist is as follows" formal or informal?

"The gist is as follows" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for professional and academic writing, but may sound somewhat stilted in very informal contexts.

What is the difference between "the gist is as follows" and "in conclusion"?

"The gist is as follows" introduces a summary of key points, while "in conclusion" signals the end of an argument or discussion and offers a final thought or decision. They serve different purposes in writing.