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Free Paraphrasing Tool

Paraphrase text effortlessly with AI Sparks, a powerful paraphraser by ProWritingAid.

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Why choose our paraphrasing tool?

Choose how to paraphrase.

Expand text, enhance readability, or even add descriptive detail.

Paraphrase in the click of a button. If you’re not satisfied with the result, simply try again.

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Enhance the structure and vocabulary of your text without removing key information.

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Power up your writing with ProWritingAid

Our paraphrasing tool reworks vocabulary, sentence structure, and syntax to create new, high-quality content that resonates with your readers.

Find the best way to express your ideas with AI Sparks, a powerful paraphraser. Explore options to enhance readability, expand text, change tense, or even add descriptive detail.

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Whether you’re working on a quick email or a full-length novel, ProWritingAid catches grammar and spelling errors as you write so no pesky mistakes slip through.

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ProWritingAid has been a resource in my writer toolkit for many years. The program helps me to craft and clarify my stories for a better reader experience. Your editor will thank you for making their job easier.

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Who can benefit from a paraphraser?

Anyone who wants help expressing their writing in a stronger and clearer way.

Our free paraphraser can help you write logical, eloquent, and plagiarism-free assignments. Use ProWritingAid to write a strong thesis statement, make your arguments sound compelling, or craft a poignant conclusion.

Researchers

ProWritingAid makes sure your language is always appropriately formal and helps you easily present complex ideas in a digestible manner—all while avoiding plagiarism.

Creative Writers

Trying to add more vivid descriptions to your prose? Do your characters keep doing the same actions over and over? Use ProWritingAid like a great critique partner or line editor to improve your fiction or nonfiction writing.

Business Writers

Communication is crucial for any successful business. Spend more time thinking about what to say and less time on how to say it. ProWritingAid can help you write emails, presentations, reports, training documents, and so much more.

Works wherever you do

Use our paraphrasing tool to get writing suggestions across all the apps you use.

Paraphrasing Tool FAQs

What is prowritingaid.

ProWritingAid is a grammar checker, paraphraser, and writing coach all in one helpful tool.

By signing up for a ProWritingAid account, you gain access to various features. These include advanced grammar and spelling checks, style suggestions, AI capabilities for rewriting text and generating ideas, as well as over 25 other reports to help you improve and polish your writing.

Is ProWritingAid free?

A free account allows you to edit and run reports on up to 500 words. It also gives you three AI Sparks per day, which is needed to paraphrase text. If you want more, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan .

How do I access the paraphraser in-app?

Follow these steps to paraphrase text:

Highlight the text you want to paraphrase, then click “ Sparks. ”

Next, choose how you want to paraphrase.

For standard paraphrasing, the Fluency mode works best. However, you can also improve readability, expand text, change tense, or even add descriptive detail.

What is a paraphrasing tool?

A paraphrasing tool is a tool that helps you express words in different way to improve the understanding of your message. It keeps the original meaning of your text but makes it clearer, more impactful, or more professional.

Is paraphrasing the same as rewording?

Originally, the terms paraphrasing and rewording had slightly different meanings. Paraphrasing meant rewriting text in a different form, while still retaining the meaning of the original text. Rewording meant simply switching out words with synonyms. Nowadays, the terms are often used interchangeably.

What software integrations does ProWritingAid offer?

ProWritingAid seamlessly integrates with MS Word, Google Docs, Scrivener, Atticus, Vellum, and more. We also offer browser extensions (Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge), so you can work almost anywhere online.

Does ProWritingAid have a plagiarism checker?

Yes, it does. ProWritingAid’s plagiarism checker will check your work against over a billion web pages, published works, and academic papers, so you can be sure of its originality. Find out more about pricing for plagiarism checks here .

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• Paraphrasing tool

WriterBuddy's AI-powered paraphrasing tool helps students and professionals rewrite, edit, or rephrase sentences and paragraphs for better clarity—try it free online.

What is a Paraphrasing Tool?

Imagine you have a sentence you want to say in a different way. A paraphrasing tool is like a magic thesaurus that rewrites it for you using different words, but keeping the same meaning. 

What is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is the act of restating someone else’s ideas or information in your own words. It’s like explaining something you heard to someone else, using your own understanding and vocabulary. 

Here’s a breakdown of key points about paraphrasing:

• Maintains Original Meaning: While the wording changes, the core idea stays the same.
• Avoids Plagiarism: Paraphrasing is a legitimate way to use someone else’s ideas without copying their exact words.
• Shows Comprehension: Effective paraphrasing requires understanding the original content well enough to rephrase it accurately.

Here’s an example:

Original: “The introduction of a minimum wage can lead to job losses for some low-skilled workers.”

Paraphrased:  “Minimum wage policies may reduce employment opportunities for low-skilled workers.”

Both sentences convey the same astronomical fact but use different words and sentence structure.

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill for many reasons, including:

Improves Writing: By paraphrasing, you can integrate information from sources smoothly into your own writing.

Enhances Clarity: You can sometimes rephrase complex ideas in simpler terms for better understanding.

Avoids Overused Quotes: Paraphrasing allows you to use information from sources without relying too heavily on direct quotes.

Why Use WriterBuddy’s AI Paraphrasing Tool

WriterBuddy’s AI-powered paraphraser makes it effortless to create high-quality, mistake-free paraphrases. Whether you’re rewording content for an essay, article, blog post, or any other type of writing, our tool ensures accuracy and readability.

AI-Powered Paraphrasing

Utilizes advanced AI algorithms to deliver human-like rephrasing, ensuring high-quality and coherent text.

Plagiarism-Free Content

Includes an integrated plagiarism checker to guarantee original content, avoiding any duplication.

User-Friendly Interface

Features a simple, intuitive design that requires no sign-up, allowing for immediate use.

Multiple Paraphrasing Modes

Offers various modes such as Standard, Creative, Fluency, and Shorten to cater to different needs and preferences.

Multi-Lingual Support

Supports multiple languages, making it accessible for a global audience.

Ensure Accuracy

Maintains the original meaning and context of the text while rewording it accurately.

Speed Up Your Work

Enables quick paraphrasing with a single click, saving time compared to manual rewording.

Prioritize Readability

Transforms complex text into clear and easily understandable language.

Versatile Usage

Ideal for various content types including academic papers, professional documents, blog posts, and more.

Free Access

All features are available for free, with no hidden costs or ad interruptions.

How to Use WriterBuddy’s Online Paraphraser

• Input Your Text

Paste your text or upload a file into the input box.

• Select Paraphrasing Mode

Choose from multiple modes such as Standard, Creative, Fluency, or Shorten.

• Get Instant Results

Click the submit button and receive your rephrased text within seconds.

• Download or Copy Your Text

Easily download the text in various formats or copy it to use elsewhere.

Who Can Use WriterBuddy’s Paraphrasing Tool?

Paraphrasing tools assist students in comprehending complex texts and enhancing their writing skills by providing alternative ways to express ideas clearly and effectively.

Teachers can use paraphrasing tools to create unique lesson plans, engaging presentations, and other educational materials that captivate and educate their students.

Researchers

Researchers benefit from paraphrasers by simplifying intricate concepts and making their research accessible to a broader audience, ensuring clarity and understanding.

Journalists

Journalists can quickly and easily rephrase their text to avoid repetitive language and enhance the readability and originality of their articles.

Copywriters

By using a paraphrasing tool, copywriters can efficiently rework existing content to create fresh, compelling, and original material for various campaigns and projects.

Bloggers can utilize paraphrasing tools to rewrite existing content, making it unique and engaging while maintaining the original message and intent.

Writers can adapt their work for different contexts or audiences, ensuring their content is versatile and tailored to specific needs without losing its essence.

Marketers can rapidly rewrite their original content for multiple platforms, ensuring it resonates with different target audiences and maintains consistency across various media channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are the differences between paraphrasing, rewording, and rephrasing.

Paraphrasing involves putting someone else’s ideas into your own words while maintaining the original meaning. Rewording replaces specific words with synonyms, and rephrasing restructures the original text. All three can be used to create a paraphrase.

2. How can I create a paraphrase?

To create a paraphrase, either use WriterBuddy’s paraphrasing generator by pasting your text and clicking “Paraphrase it,” or manually rewrite the text by changing words, sentence structure, and ensuring the original meaning is preserved. Always cite the original source.

3. What is plagiarism and how can I avoid it?

Plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas without crediting them. To avoid plagiarism, always cite the original source of your paraphrased text. WriterBuddy includes a plagiarism checker to ensure your content is original.

4. Is using a paraphraser considered cheating?

Using a paraphrasing generator is not cheating if properly cited. It’s a helpful tool for rephrasing content quickly and getting inspiration. Always check your institution’s policies and credit your sources to avoid plagiarism.

5. Why are citations important in paraphrasing?

Citations credit the original source, helping to avoid plagiarism. Anytime you use someone else’s ideas, whether quoting or paraphrasing, you need to use a citation style like APA, MLA, or Chicago.

6. How do I cite a paraphrase in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles?

Use a citation tool like WriterBuddy’s Citation Generator. Enter the source information, and it will create in-text and full citations for your bibliography, works cited, or references page.

7. Can WriterBuddy handle multiple languages?

Yes, WriterBuddy supports multiple languages, making it accessible for users worldwide.

8. How does WriterBuddy ensure the accuracy of rephrased text?

WriterBuddy uses advanced AI algorithms to accurately rephrase text while preserving its original meaning and context.

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Available in other languages:

• English – Paraphrasing tool
• Español –  Parafraseo online
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Paraphrasing Tool

Reword and rephrase any text to express ideas in multiple different ways with this advanced free tool.

Use cases of Paraphrasing Tool

Paraphrasing tool helps you effortlessly craft unique and engaging content by transforming ideas, messages, and information to elevate your writing, avoid plagiarism, and enhance the impact of your message.

Contextual Paraphrasing : Maintain the original message's essence while achieving natural flow and coherence.

Creative Content Generation : Craft diverse and engaging content with fresh perspectives, enhancing your writing style.

Plagiarism Prevention : Generate unique and original content to safeguard against plagiarism concerns.

Real-time Suggestions : Receive instant, contextually relevant alternatives for dynamic content creation.

The technology behind Paraphrasing Tool

Paraphrasing Tool uses a language model that learns patterns, grammar, and vocabulary from large amounts of text data – then uses that knowledge to generate human-like text based on a given prompt or input. The generated text combines both the model's learned information and its understanding of the input.

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Free Paraphrasing Tool To Rephrase Content

Use Surfer's Paraphrasing tool to improve your writing for better readablity and fluency. Perfect for writers, professionals, and anyone seeking to enhance their communication.

Just paste your content into the text editor below and let Surfer's Paraphraser reword your text to make it more readable, engaging, and polished without changing the meaning of your original text.

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Reword Written Content

Easily reword your content to diversify your vocabulary and improve the overall tone of your writing, avoid repetitive words and ensuring its originality.

By rewording research papers, quotes, and other crucial information in its own words, our paraphrasing tool ensures that your content is reliable while avoiding plagiarism.

Sentence Rewriter

Surfer allows you to rewrite sentences into new, unique versions without changing their meaning.

Use it as a sentence rewriting tool to rephrase sentences and make your copy more engaging. Improve clarity and impact with correct sentence construction.

AI Paragraph Rewriter

Instantly rework your paragraphs to create completely fresh content and replace your old paragraphs.

Surfer can act as an AI paragraph rewriting tool that makes it quick and easy to rephrase entire paragraphs using artificial intelligence, whether you’re rewording an essay, article, blog post, or social media content.

Essay and Article Rewriter

Elevate your essays and articles into polished, high-quality pieces with Surfer while maintaining your unique voice and ideas.

Perfect for students and professionals aiming to rewrite essays while maintaining a professional tone. Produce distinctive, plagiarism-free content for any format.

Who can use the free paraphrasing tool?

Anyone looking to improve their writing can use Surfer’s free paraphrasing tool.

This includes content professionals looking to improve their articles, students looking to elevate their writings, marketers looking to adapt their brand messaging, and even copywriters looking for more clarity and fluency.

Surfer’s free paraphraser is to help anyone who needs to rephrase material for better readability and impact.

How Surfer’s paraphrasing tool helps

Surfer's paraphrasing tool can help you simplify difficult language into simple, concise content, which improves clarity and engagement of your content.

The free tool helps you come up with unique content, prevents plagiarism, and refreshes your current material while ensuring your content uses the right grammar and uses an appropriate tone.

It also offers alternative ideas and sentence phrasing to help with writer's block, while maintaining the original intent of your content.

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Paraphrasing tool

The paraphrasing tool (paraphraser) is a sentence changer generator that can rephrase sentences, paragraphs, articles, and essays.

This sentence rephraser helps students and writers to avoid plagiarism while writing blogs and research papers with state-of-the-art technology.

What is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is expressing ideas and information in your own words and mentioning their source. ( By University of New South Wales )

Why our paraphrasing tool?

Our paraphrasing tool helps to rewrite plagiarism-free content 😊. It can change sentence structure without changing the context of the topic.

Our rewording tool is 100% free and easy to use. Editpad AI reworder helps you reword assignments, sentences, paragraphs, and essays with one click.

How does Paraphrase Tool work?

The paraphraser provides a simple interface.

To use paraphrase tool, follow the below steps:

Features of Paraphrasing Tool Free

Some of the features of this rephrase tool are:

Files Uploading

You can upload a file directly from your computer in the following formats:

You can also upload a file directly from Google Drive with just a single click.

Plagiarism-Free Content

The final output from our rephrasing tool would be completely plagiarism-free.

If not sure about plagiarism in text, you can check it on the  plagiarism checker .

Download Report

Our free rephrasing tool provides an option to download the final report in Docx and Txt format.

Free and Secure

The paraphrase generator is completely free and 100% safe to use for all kinds of rewriting purposes.

Accurate and reliable rephrasing of text

Our tool rephrase text accurately and keep the same meaning and context as the original text. 

10 Different paraphrasing modes:

To provide the best results, we have developed four different modes 😏 Smooth : It paraphrases text that flows well, is grammatically correct, and is easy to read. This type of paraphrasing is often used in academic or professional writing.  Best for students to make assignments and presentations.

😉 Reworder : This mode works as a rewording tool that can help you reword your text or words with their best synonyms that are new, trendy, and engaging.

🤠  Formal : Formal paraphrasing is complex and time-consuming because it requires a deep understanding of the original text, so we have developed a separate mode for it.

😃 Fluency : It can be used to build a strong connection between sentences to improve the readability and clarity of the text.

🤩 Creative : Creative is another unique mode used to diversify the content structure to make it appear more creative.

😎 Smart : This mode is highly accurate and reliable. It allows users to fine-tune the output. It rewrites text using advanced algorithms and natural language processing techniques.

🧐 Improver : This mode will paraphrase and improve your content. Removes grammar mistakes, changes sentence structure and good word choice for better readability. Best for teachers to create study notes.

👨‍🎓 Academic : This mode is specially built for students to rephrase their assignments in an academic tone.

📝 Shorten : It is designed to provide a brief statement of the main points of your text concisely to convey the message in a short and summarized way.

🙃 Randomizer : In this mode, you can rephrase your text with different passages with the same meaning multiple times.

Easy-to-use interface

With our super easy-to-use interface, you can reword content within seconds. 

Uses of Online Paraphrasing Tool

Paraphrasing content manually is not an easy task. It takes both time and effort to do this. Therefore, using the paraphrase online tool can save a lot of time and effort.

Other uses are:

• It helps students to submit plagiarism-free assignments and academic work
• Quickly paraphrase the content
• It helps to learn new sentence structures
• It reduces the chances of plagiarism in the paraphrased content
• 100% free paraphrasing tool

Who uses Paraphrasing Tool?

This sentence rephraser is not the requirement of every writer but it is widely used by:

It is hard to come up with engaging content. This rewording tool helps to write articles on the same topic in unique ways. 

Editpad Online Paraphrase tool helps bloggers to rephrase text in a way that is more easily readable by a general audience.

Freelance Writers

Freelance writers have to write high-quality and original content now and then. It helps them complete content tasks.  Use sentence rephraser to save time in the writing process and spend more time on other important tasks such as research, editing and proofreading.

It allows students to paraphrase essays, assignments, and lengthy writing homework. Our tool helps students to avoid plagiarism and to improve their writing skills.

Using editpad paraphrasing tool students can express their ideas in a better writing style.

Pro tip: Do not forget to check assignments and papers for plagiarism . 

Researchers

Researchers need paraphrasers to prevent plagiarism in their research work and to improve readability. They can also use our tool to quickly summarize large content to identify key points. just want to summarize your text? Try our text summarizer . 

CopyWriters

Copywriters can use our rephrase tool to refresh old content and give it a new angle. Rephraser is super helpful when you have to write bulk content under tight deadlines. Present the same information in a new and unique way.

As a webmaster, you have to always keep content quality, SEO quality, and usability at best. And we are here for you to help.

• Quality content : With a paraphrasing tool, webmasters can ensure that the content on their website is unique and free of plagiarism.
• SEO : To optimize the website for different keywords, you can paraphrase online same text multiple times. 
• User-friendly content : Make your content more readable and easily understandable for website users by rephrasing it. Our tool not only improves the content quality but also removes basic grammar errors. You can use Editpad's grammar checker tool to correct all grammatical mistakes.  

Digital Marketers  

Create your next best-quality Social Media Posts using our paraphraser. Digital marketers can generate different ideas for Email Campaigns and advertisements. 

Which is the most effective paraphrasing tool?

Rephrasing tool by Editpad is the most effective paraphrasing tool. It provides four different modes as per your need. Advanced algorithms, lightning-fast speed, and state-of-art technology make our tool the best of all. 

Is using a paraphrasing tool illegal?

Using a paraphrasing tool is not illegal. The outputs are unique and they are not an exact replication of the original content.

Can I use paraphrasing tool for legal writing?

Yes, you can use a paraphrasing tool for legal writing. However, if you want to quote someone or use someone else’s words, you have to give the proper citation.   

Does paraphrasing tool count as plagiarism?

No, using a paraphrasing tool does not count as committing plagiarism. Plagiarism means copying content directly whereas using a paraphrasing tool involves changing the wording.  

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• How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

Published on 8 April 2022 by Courtney Gahan and Jack Caulfield. Revised on 15 May 2023.

Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas into your own words. Paraphrasing a source involves changing the wording while preserving the original meaning.

Paraphrasing is an alternative to  quoting (copying someone’s exact words and putting them in quotation marks ). In academic writing, it’s usually better to paraphrase instead of quoting. It shows that you have understood the source, reads more smoothly, and keeps your own voice front and center.

Every time you paraphrase, it’s important to cite the source . Also take care not to use wording that is too similar to the original. Otherwise, you could be at risk of committing plagiarism .

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Table of contents

How to paraphrase in five easy steps, how to paraphrase correctly, examples of paraphrasing, how to cite a paraphrase, paraphrasing vs quoting, paraphrasing vs summarising, avoiding plagiarism when you paraphrase, frequently asked questions about paraphrasing.

If you’re struggling to get to grips with the process of paraphrasing, check out our easy step-by-step guide in the video below.

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Putting an idea into your own words can be easier said than done. Let’s say you want to paraphrase the text below, about population decline in a particular species of sea snails.

Incorrect paraphrasing

You might make a first attempt to paraphrase it by swapping out a few words for  synonyms .

Like other sea creatures inhabiting the vicinity of highly populated coasts, horse conchs have lost substantial territory to advancement and contamination , including preferred breeding grounds along mud flats and seagrass beds. Their Gulf home is also heating up due to global warming , which scientists think further puts pressure on the creatures , predicated upon the harmful effects extra warmth has on other large mollusks (Barnett, 2022).

This attempt at paraphrasing doesn’t change the sentence structure or order of information, only some of the word choices. And the synonyms chosen are poor:

• ‘Advancement and contamination’ doesn’t really convey the same meaning as ‘development and pollution’.
• Sometimes the changes make the tone less academic: ‘home’ for ‘habitat’ and ‘sea creatures’ for ‘marine animals’.
• Adding phrases like ‘inhabiting the vicinity of’ and ‘puts pressure on’ makes the text needlessly long-winded.
• Global warming is related to climate change, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing.

Because of this, the text reads awkwardly, is longer than it needs to be, and remains too close to the original phrasing. This means you risk being accused of plagiarism .

Correct paraphrasing

Let’s look at a more effective way of paraphrasing the same text.

Here, we’ve:

• Only included the information that’s relevant to our argument (note that the paraphrase is shorter than the original)
• Retained key terms like ‘development and pollution’, since changing them could alter the meaning
• Structured sentences in our own way instead of copying the structure of the original
• Started from a different point, presenting information in a different order

Because of this, we’re able to clearly convey the relevant information from the source without sticking too close to the original phrasing.

Explore the tabs below to see examples of paraphrasing in action.

• Journal article
• Newspaper article
• Magazine article

Once you have your perfectly paraphrased text, you need to ensure you credit the original author. You’ll always paraphrase sources in the same way, but you’ll have to use a different type of in-text citation depending on what citation style you follow.

Generate accurate citations with Scribbr

It’s a good idea to paraphrase instead of quoting in most cases because:

• Paraphrasing shows that you fully understand the meaning of a text
• Your own voice remains dominant throughout your paper
• Quotes reduce the readability of your text

But that doesn’t mean you should never quote. Quotes are appropriate when:

• Giving a precise definition
• Saying something about the author’s language or style (e.g., in a literary analysis paper)
• Providing evidence in support of an argument
• Critiquing or analysing a specific claim

A paraphrase puts a specific passage into your own words. It’s typically a similar length to the original text, or slightly shorter.

When you boil a longer piece of writing down to the key points, so that the result is a lot shorter than the original, this is called summarising .

Paraphrasing and quoting are important tools for presenting specific information from sources. But if the information you want to include is more general (e.g., the overarching argument of a whole article), summarising is more appropriate.

When paraphrasing, you have to be careful to avoid accidental plagiarism .

Students frequently use paraphrasing tools , which can be especially helpful for non-native speakers who might have trouble with academic writing. While these can be useful for a little extra inspiration, use them sparingly while maintaining academic integrity.

This can happen if the paraphrase is too similar to the original quote, with phrases or whole sentences that are identical (and should therefore be in quotation marks). It can also happen if you fail to properly cite the source.

To make sure you’ve properly paraphrased and cited all your sources, you could elect to run a plagiarism check before submitting your paper.

To paraphrase effectively, don’t just take the original sentence and swap out some of the words for synonyms. Instead, try:

• Reformulating the sentence (e.g., change active to passive , or start from a different point)
• Combining information from multiple sentences into one
• Leaving out information from the original that isn’t relevant to your point
• Using synonyms where they don’t distort the meaning

The main point is to ensure you don’t just copy the structure of the original text, but instead reformulate the idea in your own words.

Paraphrasing without crediting the original author is a form of plagiarism , because you’re presenting someone else’s ideas as if they were your own.

However, paraphrasing is not plagiarism if you correctly reference the source . This means including an in-text referencing and a full reference , formatted according to your required citation style (e.g., Harvard , Vancouver ).

As well as referencing your source, make sure that any paraphrased text is completely rewritten in your own words.

Plagiarism means using someone else’s words or ideas and passing them off as your own. Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas into your own words.

So when does paraphrasing count as plagiarism?

• Paraphrasing is plagiarism if you don’t properly credit the original author.
• Paraphrasing is plagiarism if your text is too close to the original wording (even if you cite the source). If you directly copy a sentence or phrase, you should quote it instead.
• Paraphrasing  is not plagiarism if you put the author’s ideas completely into your own words and properly reference the source .

To present information from other sources in academic writing , it’s best to paraphrase in most cases. This shows that you’ve understood the ideas you’re discussing and incorporates them into your text smoothly.

It’s appropriate to quote when:

• Changing the phrasing would distort the meaning of the original text
• You want to discuss the author’s language choices (e.g., in literary analysis )
• You’re presenting a precise definition
• You’re looking in depth at a specific claim

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

Gahan, C. & Caulfield, J. (2023, May 15). How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 31 May 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/working-sources/paraphrasing/

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Other students also liked, harvard in-text citation | a complete guide & examples, how to avoid plagiarism | tips on citing sources, apa referencing (7th ed.) quick guide | in-text citations & references.

The Best Paraphrasing Tools, Software and Apps

Paraphrasing is an essential skill in the digital age.  Whether you are a professional, student, or content creator, paraphrasing can help you prevent plagiarism in writing , enhance your ability to write, and offer original content in just a few steps. Moreover, these tools can help you save your time and improve the calibre of your work.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the importance of paraphrasing and its benefits for Windows, iOS and Mac users. Furthermore, we will talk about the best available online tools, software-based resources, and apps to make paraphrasing simple.

What’s Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is the act of using your own words to restate or rephrase a passage of text while maintaining the same meaning. It can be beneficial for a number of reasons, let’s discuss one-by-one:

• Avoid Plagiarism: Plagiarism can have serious consequences and knowing what it is, is the best way to avoid it. It may harm to a person’s reputation in the workplace. Consequently, we must prevent ourselves from plagiarizing intentionally or unintentionally. With a proper attribution to the original writer, paraphrasing let users include information from several sources.
• Producing Unique Content: Using different words and phrases to convey the same thought is known as paraphrasing. It is a useful method to recreate previously published content in a different way that will appeal to a variety of audiences.
• Improving Comprehension : A thorough knowledge of the original text is quite needed for effective paraphrasing. As a result, this improves comprehension since it requires users to interact with the content, consider it, and present it in a rational and unique way.
• Developing Writing Techniques: Writing techniques can be significantly enhanced by regular practicing paraphrasing. It improves users’ capacity to express complicated ideas clearly and helps them advance their vocabulary.
• Upholding Copyright Regulations: Copyright rules must be taken into consideration by creators. Anyone who produces content for blogs, websites, and social media can enhance it without violating copyright regulations by paraphrasing.

Now that we know how important paraphrasing is, let’s move on to the available best tools, apps for macOS, Windows and iOS users to make the work quicker and more effective.

Top Paraphrasing Tools Online

Content creators who need to quickly and easily rewrite ideas might use online paraphrasing tools. Let’s have a look at the top online paraphrase tools:

1. Rewritetool.net

The rewording tool by rewritetool.net excels at effectively rewriting your text and improving its quality. Its user-friendly interface simplifies the process, while its cutting-edge AI system ensures that the rephrased text maintains its originality while achieving complete uniqueness. Thanks to the AI-powered algorithms, which offers various paraphrasing modes that streamline the entire process, the platform consistently delivers high-quality content rewrite with remarkable efficiency.

Now, let’s delve into the features that set Rewritetool.net apart:

Smart Paraphrasing Technology: Rewritetool.net harnesses the power of advanced AI algorithms to create paraphrased content that not only matches the context but also maintains originality. This cutting-edge tool ensures that the rephrased material stands out as distinctive and free from any traces of plagiarism.

Grammar and Style Enhancement: Beyond just paraphrasing, The rewording tool goes the extra mile by offering suggestions to enhance grammar and style. Creators and users receive immediate feedback to elevate the readability and overall quality of their writing.

Synonym Suggestion: With an extensive library of synonyms at its disposal, Rewritetool.net empowers users to select the most fitting words for their specific context. In doing so, the tool delivers paraphrased content that is both diverse and seamlessly coherent.

Flexible Paraphrasing Modes: Rewritetool.net provides users with a range of writing modes tailored to various purposes. Choose from four distinct modes:

• Reworder : for straightforward rewording.
• Formal : To add a touch of formality.
• Expand : For explaining intricate ideas.
• Shorten : To simplify your text for easier comprehension.

Rewritetool.net’s features can be a game-changer when it comes to optimizing your content and taking it to new heights. The tool is completely free of cost, with no hidden charges or fees involved.

Pricing: (Free)

WordAi is an advanced paraphrasing software that has unmatched rewriting capabilities to boost written content. It offers customers a simple way to reword text, articles, or any document while keeping context and uniqueness. WordAi is a useful tool for international because it supports many languages.

• Readability and Grammar: The software not only targets paraphrasing but also offers recommendations to enhance the content’s general readability and grammar. Users can improve their quality of work by using WordAi’s constructive feedback.
• Multi-language Capabilities: WordAi’s multi-language support makes it worthy software for content writers, who have to work in different languages.

In order to meet a wide variety of user requirements, WordAi offers several pricing plans:

Monthly: WordAi offers a starter plan of $17/monthly for regular users who want unrestricted access to its paraphrase features. And, power plan with $57/month.

Yearly: Writers who want to get a yearly subscription can do so at $9/month (Starter) and $27/month (Power). Anyone, who buys a yearly plan receives continuous access to WordAi’s paraphrase services for a whole year.

3. Duplichecker

Duplichecker is comprehensive paraphrasing software goes beyond simple synonym replacements. It is one of the widely recognized tools for content writers that offer a dependable means of avoiding plagiarism and creating unique written work.

• Bulk Content Paraphrasing: Duplichecker lets users rapidly paraphrase several bits of information at once. It is a perfect software for writers working on large writing tasks because it processes numerous papers or articles at once to save time and effort.
• Plagiarism Checker: Duplichecker is known to have a powerful plagiarism checker in addition to paraphrasing. Writers can cross-check the content they have paraphrased with the help of huge databases to make sure it doesn’t include any copied or duplicated text. Read more about top free plagiarism checkers online.

Pricing: Duplichecker provides various pricing structure that meets a range of user needs:

Free Plan: Duplichecker’s core paraphrasing and plagiarism-checking functions are available for free. Since there are no upfront costs for users, it is a fantastic choice for newbies.

Premium Plan: Available for $10/month, the Premium

Top Software-Based Paraphrasing for Windows

Software-based resources are best for those content writers or creators who prefer offline solutions with advanced paraphrase features. Let’s have a look at the top Windows software resources for paraphrasing.

1. Grammarly’s software

Grammarly stands as a respected writing assistant software for users, renowned for its robust writing capabilities and comprehensive language support. Within the windows environment, it provides an array of paraphrasing options, empowering users to enhance their writing while preserving the authenticity of their content. Operating as a cloud-based writing assistant, Grammarly ensures error-free composition across platforms like Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, and various other applications and software.

• Advanced Paraphrasing Suggestions: Grammarly’s powerful AI-driven software, offers advanced paraphrase suggestions that are fitting for the context. It assesses the context of your text and suggests different words and phrases to increase the clarity of your content.
• Real-Time Writing Assistant: Grammarly does more than just paraphrase your content, it constantly keeps an eye on your writing and provides immediate feedback on your grammar, spelling, and punctuation-related error.

There are two different Grammarly subscription plans:

• For Grammarly Premium for Individuals: $12/month
• For Grammarly Premium Business for Teams: $15/month per user

Plan provides advanced paraphrase features but with no more than 25000 words at a time.

2. Chimp Rewriter

Chimp Rewriter is a powerful tool made exclusively for windows users. It uses machine learning algorithms to analyze the context and produce precise paraphrased results. To assure the content’s uniqueness, the software also includes a built-in plagiarism detector.

• Bulk Rewriting: With the software’s support, users can manage numerous sentences or paragraphs at once. Anyone working on a lengthy writing project will find this function to be amazing, since it boosts the speed of the rewriting process and save time.
• Thesaurus Integration and Synonym Suggestion: Chimp Rewriter provides users with a wide range of vocabulary options by integrating thesaurus. This guarantees a lot of fresh and attractive rephrases while maintaining the essence of the actual text.

Pricing: Following a free trial period, Chimp Rewriter offers two pricing structures:

Monthly Plan: This software provides a monthly subscription of $15/monthly for those who are looking for more advanced tools and limitless access to sentence rewriting. With this plan, premium features are made available for one month.

Yearly Plan: If you’re looking for a longer period plan, then you can choose an annual subscription option for $99 per year. The amount represents a considerable discount above the monthly plan. The annual membership gives users unrestricted use of Chimp’s sentence rephrasing services for one year with free software updates.

Top Paraphrasing Apps for iOS and macOS:

1. ginger writer.

Ginger is a thorough proofreading & Paraphrasing application specially designed for iOS users. It provides a number of options for content enhancement, including grammar and rephrasing. It offers an array of mostly used words and idioms to help you with creating original content.

• AI-Powered Proofreading: The app verifies your writing for grammatical errors, assisting you in avoiding all manner of embarrassing blunders. Users can enhance the clarity and readability of the work with the help of a proofreading engine.
• AI-based rephraser: With a click of the button, the Ginger will process your existing content and rewrite it for a better readability, uniqueness and tone. It empowers AI to guarantee an excellent, new copy that you and your readers will enjoy.

Free: Most of the options on the app are paid. However, for a 7-day trial period, you can utilize all of its features, though.

Premium: You can get access to some of their advanced features by purchasing Ginger Premium. After the trial period, the subscription price cost you $4.99/mo.

Mobile apps provide ease and a range by allowing us to paraphrase text at any time and from any location. We’ve listed here the finest paraphrase applications for Mac and iOS users:

2. Quillbot’s macOS App

Quillbot for macOS is a user-friendly Mac application that makes paraphrasing simpler. Users may easily paraphrase text with its simple UI and straightforward navigation. The app has several paraphrase modes to accommodate different writing styles.

• User Friendly: There are other online paraphrasing apps, however, this sentence rewriter app is one of a kind. It is faster and simpler to use. You can paste your text and then click the button for paraphrasing and rewriting.
• Content Friendly: This app generates excellent paraphrase material in just a few clicks. It examines the material for keywords and adds keywords related to them. You can also prevent keywords from being replaced with synonyms while paraphrasing by freezing them in the article and many more option to try.

Pricing: (Free/premium)

Free Plan: The free plan has various restrictions on the number of daily rewrites and the length of input text. But it still gives users access to the fundamental paraphrase functions.

The app is free to download and there are no ads, but there are in-app purchases for additional features. Those who purchased a premium plan can gain unlimited access to advanced AI paraphrasing, grammatical improvement, along with customer assistance. The Premium Plan costs around $4.17.

Now, it’s time to wrap up this article, here what we’re meant to teach you is how to rephrase text by using top resources and tools for both Mac and iOS users. In order to create unique content with avoiding plagiarism, one must need to master the art of paraphrasing. It became now easier and quicker than ever, thanks to the wide variety of technologies that help generate human-like text.

By using above mentioned online tools, and software-based resources, anyone can express someone else’s ideas in their own voice, while keeping the same essential meaning. Hence, use these tools to your advantage to become the proficient paraphraser you were meant to be.

• ← Types of Paraphrasing

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ParaphraseTool.ai Review 2024: The best AI paraphrasing Tool?

ParaPhraseTool.ai has become one of the most popular AI paraphrasing tools in the market . More and more users are joining the platform and leveraging its benefits to a great extent. 

It doesn’t matter if you want to use ParaphraseTool.ai for academic or professional purposes ; it will cater to your different needs. 

It's a good fit for students, writers, digital marketers, researchers, copywriters, bloggers, and anyone who needs to rewrite text efficiently and instantly.

However, before you purchase a premium plan, you need to know its effectiveness and features. This is why I’ve written this article for you. 

If you want to use ParaphraseTool.ai but are looking for a detailed review, you’re in the right place. In this article, I will share a comprehensive ParaphraseTool.ai review. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it!

What is ParaphraseTool.ai

ParaphraseTool.ai is a web-based solution that uses the latest artificial intelligence and natural language processing techniques . Thanks to such AI technologies, it can rewrite text while retaining its original meaning.

The tool can quickly analyze any given text and then reproduce it uniquely. But how does it work? Well, the online AI tool uses synonyms and alternative sentence structures.

ParaphraseTool.ai

• Unlimited paraphrasing
• Free version
• Different paraphrase modes
• 24/7 support

The great thing about this AI paraphraser is that the generated output will be free of typos or grammatical errors . Moreover, it can assist in rewriting text with proficiency and accuracy. 

One of the primary purposes of ParaphraseTool.ai is to convert complicated texts into simplified ones . Whether you’re a student or a working professional, it will benefit you.

For instance, if you want to change some aspects of your content, paste that information into the Paraphrase Tool and get a revamped version.

ParaphraseTool.ai Review: Key features

Paraphrasing has become simpler than ever with artificial intelligence. Now, you can get tons of information paraphrased online in a breeze. Paraphrase Tool AI brings a few good features writers can benefit from while paraphrasing text.

As mentioned before, ParaphraseTool.ai comes with AI-powered capabilities . If you choose the correct modes, it will help you paraphrase anything you want. 

So, what’s so good about the core features that allow ParaphraseTool.ai to stand apart? Having used Quillbot before, I can certainly say ParaphraseTool.ai has more eye-catching features. 

1. Paraphrasing Tool

This is the most unique feature of ParaphraseTool.ai. When you open the site, the Paraphrasing tool will be the first thing you see. This is the dashboard.

I must say it looks super clean and unique. Everything is easily accessible, from the different modes to the import and export functions. 

If you have used Quillbot before, you will find the user interface quite similar . Just paste the text you want to paraphrase and hit the Paraphrase button. The output will be visible on the right side. 

But I wouldn’t recommend ParaphraseTool.ai if it only has basic options. It takes the paraphrasing capabilities to the next level. What I am talking about is the paraphrasing modes. 

You can choose specific modes based on your needs to get more relevant results. There is no need to worry about getting the same genetic paraphrased text repeatedly. 

But how effective are they? Does the generated output pass Hemingway and plagiarism checks? Let’s put them to the test. 

1.1. Creative Mode

This is the first mode you will come across when you open ParaphraseTool.ai. Basically, when you open the website, you will land upon the Paraphrasing Tool, and the Creative mode will start working. 

Now, the real deal. To test its effectiveness, I have pasted a paragraph from an article on mine. Apart from giving the paraphrased results of ParaphraseTool.ai, I will also give Quillboit results. This will help you gauge their performances better . 

I thought I would give the output directly, but there’s something else I would like to share. When I pasted my text and hit the Paraphrase button, the website opened a captcha, stating that I needed to pay to remove them and the ads. 

I really don’t like this. It's undoubtedly an annoying way to ask customers to subscribe to their premium plans. Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the output now. 

As you can see, ParaphraseTool.ai has generated an output on the right side of the screen. It also shows the percentage of paraphrased words to unchanged words . Moreover, it highlights the paraphrased texts for better visibility. 

So, what’s my verdict? I really love the effort they have put into training their AI. The sentence paraphraser is amazing, with no mishaps. They have also maintained the original meaning of the texts, so thumbs up for that. 

Now that I know the effectiveness of the Creative mode, I turned to Quillbot, the all-in-one platform. While there’s no such thing as Creative mode, I chose the standard one. 

This is the output Quillbot gave me. It’s not bad, but I think it sounds a bit robotic. 

Moving along, I previously mentioned that I would check the output on Hemingway and Grammarly Premium’s plagiarism checker . Here are the Hemingway results. 

Even though the readability grade is 12, you won’t need to question ParaphraseTool.ai's effectiveness. Because it can only paraphrase texts, not change the meaning or add commas or full stops in between sentences. As long as the original text passes Hemingway check, so will the paraphrased text. 

Grammarly stated that it has one incorrect noun, which is true. But there are no plagiarism issues. While this is good news, I myself don’t rely on Grammarly’s plagiarism checker 100%. 

1.2. Anti-Plagiarism Mode

The next mode is Anti-Plagiarism. This is another unique thing that you won’t find in Quillbot. Though the output generated in the Creative mode was also plagiarism-free , I believe this mode takes it to the next level. 

So, how do you access this mode? Simple, just click on the Anti-Plagiarism mode from the above list and you’re good to go. 

And the working mechanism is also similar. Just like the Creative mode, this is also free. You don’t need to pay anything. 

This mode's primary purpose is to remove and alter plagiarised content. It can change the entire text or paragraph without altering the original meaning, making it a highly sought-after feature . 

To test its effectiveness, I have copied and pasted content from Google. If I use this content, it will 100% detect plagiarism, making me vulnerable to copyright infringement problems. 

ParaphraseTool.ai claims that they can change all the plagiarised text and make it look new , all without changing the original content, its tone, and its meanings. Let’s take a look. 

It looks like they're keeping their end of the bargain. I checked the paraphrased text on Grammarly, and there’s no plagiarism issue. However, this mode needs to be faster. 

1.3. Fluency Mode

The next free option is the Fluency mode. This mode maintains a natural flow of the paraphrased text. While the other modes might sound robotic sometimes, the Fluency mode helps you tackle that . 

I am super impressed with this Fluency mode. As you can see above, the paraphrased output has excellent flow and sentence structure, which was missing from the other modes. 

Quillbot also has the same mode, but how does ParaphraseTool.ai stand apart from it? Let’s take a look. 

Here’s Quillbot's output. While I can see the fluency, it’s not too different from Quillbot’s other modes. 

But ParaphraseTool.ai's Fluency mode is amazing. I could see its difference from the other modes. If you don’t get your desired results, simply rephrase the text again. 

1.4. Formal Mode

As the name suggests, the formal mode will help you turn normal texts into professional ones. This is particularly beneficial for people planning to paraphrase content for C-suite executives . 

For example, let’s say you have a business idea. While drafting the idea, you might have written it casually with no professional tone. Now, rewriting it again to make it more professional is super time-consuming. 

Why put in manual effort when you have ParaphraseTool.ai’s Fluency mode ? This mode will change all informal language, sentences, and slang to create a professional presentation. 

1.5. Academic Mode

Whether you’re a college student or an academic writer, this mode is extremely beneficial. The Academic mode itself is a highly popular feature. 

If you’re in the academic field, you know the importance of conveying accurate information . One mistake and you will face dire consequences. 

With the academic mode, you can create formal and accurate content that meets industry guidelines. There is no need to worry about writing something vague or unprofessional. It will also retain all important citations, references, quotes, and more. 

1.6. SEO Mode

Gone are the days of minding SEO aspects only if you’re an SEO expert . Professional content writers like me need to pay close attention to different aspects of SEO . 

We must ensure the content we write is SEO-friendly and capable of achieving higher search engine ranks. However, paraphrased content sometimes fails to oblige all SEO requirements —not because Google is against paraphrased content but because such tools cannot implement SEO tactics. 

ParaphraseTool.ai is the first AI paraphrasing tool that has overcome this limitation. With the SEO mode, you can easily make your content SEO-friendly . 

This mode will maintain the same order and placement of the targeted keywords. This way, you can enter them organically without worrying about keyword stuffing. But remember that this mode is paid for. 

2. Essay Rewriter

Now that you know about the Paraphrasing tool and its different modes, the next feature is Essay Rewriter. It will take your existing academic content and paraphrase it in a matter of seconds .

This feature works fine for all kinds of essays. As essays are an important part of academic writing, you can ensure you’re meeting the standard guidelines. 

The Essay Rewriter not only ensures you get high-quality paraphrased output but also does that without any grammatical mistakes. Moreover, The flow will be like human-written content without any plagiarism. 

Here’s the list of essays that you can rewrite with this Essay Rewriter:

This feature will prove highly beneficial for academic professionals, researchers, and students looking to rewrite essays efficiently . The cool thing about the essay rewriter is that it maintains accuracy and efficiency at all levels. On top of that, it’s free. 

3. Grammar Checker

One of the most common concerns is ensuring the grammatical accuracy of your papers. Paraphrase Tool AI’s grammar checker is a simple solution for checking your write-up for any possible errors without wasting time .

That means you don’t need to manually proofread your piece to catch and fix errors. Instead, add your text to this grammar checker, click the ‘Check Grammar’ button, and see results immediately. The tool will highlight problematic areas that need a fix. You can make some quick adjustments to remove errors, typos, and mistakes.

The grammar checker feature is useful for preventing errors in all your unchecked drafts, removing wrongful spellings, boosting text tone and style, and instantly improving text quality .

4. Text Summarizer

How many times do you want a shorter version of the text? Despite your profession, there must have been several instances where you needed just the gist of a long passage. The text summarizer does exactly what it says.

You just have to paste a long-form content piece in the left box and click the ‘Summarize’ button. This will prepare a shortened version for the box on the right side.

You can take a quick look at the generated piece to ensure no critical information is missed. Once you feel perfectly satisfied, click the ‘Export’ button on the bottom right and choose your desired format for the exported file . 

This feature is a perfect fit for those wanting a short and concise text in a few seconds. You can use it to generate an overview of long-form articles, get error-free summaries of write-ups, and obtain a human-like abstract immediately.

5. Humanize AI Text

This is another eye-catching feature of ParaphraseTool.ai you need to know. But why do I focus on this specific feature so much? 

Well, for starters, most content writers nowadays are using different types of AI tools to write their content. While many companies didn’t have any issues, recent Google update has created panic amongst business owners . 

This made most clients and businesses implement AI detection tools. So, how can you bypass AI content detection easily? Use ParaphraseTool.ai’s AI text humanizer option. 

This feature will help you humanize the AI text you generate using AI content writing tools . On the other hand, Paraphrase Tool AI’s text humanizer offers a quick way to transform robotic text into humanoid output.

All you have to do is choose Humanize AI Text from the left navigation. A new page will open where you can add input text, click the ‘Humanize’ button, and get your human-like version ready in the right box .

6. Plagiarism Remover

I have previously mentioned the importance of removing plagiarism. The same features are available in the Paraphrasing Tool modes. 

So, what do they provide as a standalone feature to remove plagiarism ? It’s because it’s more powerful than the other plagiarism removal options. 

Although paraphrasing removes plagiarism easily, you can also use the dedicated plagiarism remover feature to ensure the uniqueness of the text.

This feature is extremely beneficial for getting accurate and consistent results. It will use advanced algorithms to paraphrase your text and remove all the plagiarised content. 

Benefits of using ParaphraseTool.ai

The ParaphraseTool.ai is beneficial in many ways. Apart from the many features I have mentioned earlier, there are other perks. 

Are you interested in knowing how ParaphraseTool.ai can help you? Let’s check out some of the most notable positive aspects.

1. Saves time

ParaphraseTool.ai can rephrase text flawlessly, saving you a significant amount of time. Just go to the website, add your text, click the ‘Paraphrase’ button, and receive your paraphrased text within seconds . However, make sure your internet connection is stable so that you don’t face disruption.

2. Unique and original content

The paraphrased content you generate is completely unique and original. No one could tell that this is a paraphrased version of an existing piece. That’s why many people use Paraphrase Tool AI to meet their rewriting requirements.

3. Improved writing style

If you feel that your written content doesn’t look good, you need to use this paraphrasing tool. Its AI algorithms can convert bland writing into a polished one in seconds . It can also improve the flow of your article.

This tool will swap complicated terminologies with common phrases to boost readability . Furthermore, you can remove typo errors.

4. Safe and Secure to Use

People with sensitive information might be a bit sceptical about security and privacy. The tool offers guaranteed protection against third-party access to mitigate such concerns.

Even the input is removed from its systems after the successful paraphrasing request . This means you do not have to worry about compromising the sensitivity of your text.

5. Multiple Language Support

The tool greatly supports non-native speakers looking for an online paraphrasing tool. You can choose your preferred language from the available options.

Currently, the tool supports Dutch, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Turkish, Russian, Polish, French, Spanish, and Indonesian .

6. No Installation or Registration

The developers know the hassle of downloading and installing applications. That’s why they designed ParaphraseTool.ai with easy accessibility in mind.

You do not have to download or install anything on your personal device. Simply visit it online through any browser and start using it right away. 

ParaphraseTool.ai pros and cons

After learning about the features of ParaphraseTool.ai, you might think it's the best AI paraphrase tool on the market. However, it also has a few disadvantages . Let's discuss them.

• Numerous modes for easy paraphrasing
• It can generate results without grammatical errors
• Humanize the AI-written content
• A free version for everyone
• The free version has a limited word count of up to 250 words
• Too many ads

While the word limitation can be overlooked, I cannot say the same for the advertisement part. Sometimes, the ads get too annoying. They should really fix this.

ParaphraseTool.ai review: Pricing plans

Now, let's talk about the pricing plans for the Paraphrasetool.ai review. You know the features are great, but is it affordable? Here's the pricing structure you need to know.

ParaphraseTool .ai Pricing Plan

Weekly Plan: $6.95/week

Monthly Plan: $14.95/month

Yearly Plan: $8.33/month

While there's a free plan, it offers three free access up to 250 words. In the free version, you can choose creative, fluency, and anti-plagiarism modes .

But what about unrestricted access? In such cases, you can choose weekly, monthly, and yearly pricing plans. The weekly plan is a good fit for academic writers and bloggers.

On the other hand, the monthly Plan is ideal for students who have short-time paraphrasing requirements. If you like the features of Paraphrasetool.ai and are looking for a long-term commitment, the yearly plan will benefit you.

Ready to use ParaphraseTool.ai?

The Paraphrase Tool AI is a complete solution for those needing an efficient and reliable online solution to paraphrase text with additional features. With advanced AI models , you won’t be disappointed with the results.

The intuitive interface is also easy for beginners and professionals. It continuously receives updates, which makes it a good solution to tackle present-day paraphrasing challenges . 

What is your opinion on this ParaphraseTool.ai review? Are you eager to use it? Make sure you let me know in the comments below. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're looking for a better alternative to Quillbot, you need to try ParaphraseTool.ai. It has more features and perks than Quillbot, especially for professionals and students.

Yes, AI detection tools can use different types of advanced algorithms to detect paraphrased content. So, make sure you have human touch in your AI content.

Turnitin cannot detect the paraphrased content from ParaphraseTool.ai. It's undoubtedly one of its biggest advantages.

Yes, ParaphraseTool.ai is a trusted platform. They also don't store the texts you paraphrase. So, you don't need to worry about data leaks.

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Active Listening: Definition, Skills, & Benefits

Sara Viezzer

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc in Applied Neuropsychology

Sara Viezzer is a graduate of psychological studies at the University of Bristol and Padova. She has worked as an Assistant Psychologist in the NHS for the past two years in neuroscience and health psychology. Sara is presently pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Learn about our Editorial Process

Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

Associate Editor for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.

Saul Mcleod, PhD

Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul Mcleod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

On This Page:

Active listening is more than ‘hearing’ someone’s words. It means fully attuning to the feelings and views of the speaker, demonstrating unbiased acceptance and validation of their experience (Nelson-Jones, 2014). 

When we practice active listening, we pay attention to what is being communicated both verbally and nonverbally, focussing on the content of the message but also on the interpretation of the emotions conveyed through it and the body language.

In addition, we make an effort to show our understanding of the message, acknowledging the speaker’s internal frame and reflecting back on their emotions (Miller and Rollnick, 2012). 

Components of Active Listening

The concept has its roots in the formulation of psychologists Rogers and Farson (1987), who describe active listening as an important tool to foster positive change, in both dyadic and client-helper interactions and in group contexts. 

According to their perspective, there are three main components of successful active listening:

• Listen for total meaning 

When someone is communicating a message, there are two different layers to pay attention to the content and the feeling or attitude that underlies the content. By attuning to both these aspects, it is possible to fully engage in what a person is saying and accurately understand the meaning of the message. 

• Respond to feelings 

After listening, it is essential to respond to the feeling component of the message at the appropriate time. In this way, the speaker feels believed and supported, and an empathetic relationship is established. 

• Note all cues 

Nonverbal cues include the person’s facial expressions, eye contact, body posture, and voice tone. Paying attention to these signals can help gain a better understanding of the speaker’s emotional state and level of comfort. 

Overall, by putting in place these principles, it is possible to create a climate of respect and acceptance that provides a sense of psychological security to the speaker.

This, in turn, makes people more aware of the experiences that have been shared in the conversation and open to reflecting on alternative perspectives that can prompt a personal positive change. 

Ultimately, active listening helps build deeper and stronger relationships between the listener and the speaker (Rogers and Farson, 1987).

How to Improve Active Listening Skills

Since active listening requires a set of skills that goes beyond typical social skills used in everyday interactions, it is important to increase awareness of which behaviors can improve the quality of our listening experience, serving the values of empathy , genuineness, and unconditional positive regard (Westland, 2015). 

Paraphrasing

Restating what a person has said in our own words gives us the opportunity to understand whether we captured their point of view accurately. It also conveys interest in the content of the conversation and prevents potential miscommunications (Garland, 1981). 

For example, what we might say is, “I understand that this X situation has caused Y,” followed by, “Is that correct?”. 

In this way, we encourage the speaker to keep talking and further elaborate on their thoughts.

Receiving active listening paraphrases also creates a greater sense of closeness with the listener and can increase perceptions of social attractiveness, meaning that the target person is more likely to be considered a pleasant member of one’s social circle (Weger, Castle, and Emmett, 2010).

Open-ended questions

Asking closed, “yes or no” questions can block access to the speaker’s internal frame of reference, reducing the amount of information shared and preventing the conversation from flowing.

Instead, open-ended questions do not contain predetermined answers and are, therefore, a more powerful tool for obtaining expansive responses. 

In practice, we can replace the question “Do you think this was the wrong decision?” with “What do you think about this decision?” and “How do you think you could have responded differently?”.

In general, questions starting with “What?”, “How?” and “Why” are less biased and more likely to generate a full answer.

Verbalizing emotions

Although similar to paraphrasing, verbalizing emotions refers less to the content and more to perceiving the feelings expressed by the speaker and reflecting them back (Miller and Rollnick, 2013).

It involves listening for words and phrases manifesting emotional states ranging from fear , lack of self-confidence, and boredom to cheerfulness and excitement. 

For example, if a person says, sighing, “Tomorrow I have got an early shift at work,” we can verbalize their emotions by saying, “You don’t seem to be looking forward to it.” In this way, we encourage the other person to open up and evaluate their own feelings.

Verbal affirmations

Showing short, positive expressions of interest demonstrates our engagement in the conversation, motivating the person to keep talking without interruptions (Nelson-Jones, 2014). 

Some affirmations that can act as small incentives are “I understand,” “I see,” and “That makes sense,” often accompanied by expressions of encouragement such as smiling and nodding. 

Verbal affirmations are particularly effective when used in response to content the speaker wants us to pay particular attention to and can increase the other person’s perceptions of being believed and supported. 

Asking for clarification helps to gain a better understanding of concepts that are too vague or unclear. It delivers the positive intent of wanting to learn more rather than making assumptions that are based on our own interpretative structures. 

Clarifying questions can also prompt further reflection and redefinition of ideas that have been shared, helping people to see things from an alternative angle. Some examples of clarifying questions are “What do you mean by this?”, “Can you give me an example?”.

Encouraging

Encouraging the speaker to provide further details on the topic of the conversation demonstrates our willingness to listen and dig deeper (Weger, Castle, and Emmett, 2010).

It facilitates greater openness from the speaker, fostering feelings of safety and acceptance. 

During the narration of a story, we can, for example, ask, “What happened next?” or “How did this make you feel?”.  We may also try to use a different intonation to express our interest or offer verbal prompts to elicit further reflection.  

Non-verbal affirmations

Using positive body language also shows that we are present and willing to follow the conversation (McNaughton et al., 2008). Gently nodding our head, making eye contact, and smiling are simple, supportive cues that help the speaker feel listened to and comfortable. 

Maintaining a still position can also communicate total concentration and focus, and it is, therefore, important to avoid behaviors that manifest our distractibility, such as glancing at our watch, multitasking, or daydreaming.

Awareness of our facial expressions also ensures that we are not conveying any negative or judgemental response.

Waiting to disclose opinions

Patiently waiting to disclose our opinion allows the other person’s train of thought to continue without interruptions.

In addition, it minimizes the risk of the so-called “myside bias,” which is the tendency to interpret information in a way that confirms our opinions (Stanovich, West, and Toplak, 2013). 

If we feel the urge to immediately share our thoughts, we are delivering the message that the speaker’s ideas are less important than ours, and we demonstrate boredom and impatience.

By temporarily suspending our responses, we provide more space for reflection to the speaker, and we can gain a complete picture of their point of view.

What are Some Barriers to Active Listening?

Holding judgments.

When practicing active listening, self-monitoring our thoughts can help us refrain from making judgments. Responses containing labeling or criticism can increase the other person’s defensiveness, making the free expression of thoughts more difficult (Robertson, 2005). 

To maintain an open and non-judgemental attitude, we might consider that other people’s ideas are influenced by a variety of contextual factors, including culture , educational background, religious beliefs, and the support system around them (Nelson-Jones, 2014).

With this in mind, it is easier to create a climate of acceptance and use other people’s perspectives as opportunities to enrich our own.

Suggesting solutions

It can sometimes be tempting to suggest solutions to someone who expresses a problem or concern. Although it might seem supportive, it is worth asking ourselves if the person is truly soliciting our advice or if they are just looking for a space to be listened to. 

Jumping to solutions might indicate our discomfort about what the speaker is saying, and it can create an imbalance in power dynamics, discouraging them from coming up with their own solutions (Weiste and Peräkylä, 2014).

Alternatively, we can offer empathetic responses, such as “I understand this is causing frustration,” or reflect the speaker’s emotions.

Interrupting

Interruptions convey the message that we are not interested in what the other person has to say or that we do not have enough time to listen to them. They can also indicate an attempt to dominate the conversation by imposing their own opinion, which might leave the speaker less motivated to disclose deeper and more meaningful content. 

Waiting for natural breaks in the conversation or pausing for a few seconds before speaking are some strategies that can help maintain positive interactions with others (Lunenburg, 2010).

If we find ourselves interrupting, we might also allow the other person to continue speaking by saying, “Sorry for interrupting. Please go on.” 

Diverting the conversation

Changing the subject of the conversation shows that we are rejecting what the speaker is saying and is an indicator of unassertive communication (Weiste and Peräkylä, 2014). If we feel uncomfortable talking about a specific topic, it is more respectful to tell the other person directly and offer an alternative time to discuss. 

Diverting the conversation towards ourselves is also a major listening barrier.

Making statements such as “I had a similar situation when…” or “This is nothing compared to when I…”  will deliver the message that our experience is more relevant, introducing unhelpful comparisons with the speaker.

What are the Benefits of Active Listening?

Practicing active listening can have a positive impact in many areas of life, including personal relationships, social interactions, and work collaborations.

Building trust

When a person feels listened to, it is easier to create a relationship based on trust and loyalty. Especially when someone is dealing with hardships and problems, active listening allows us to showcase compassion, making the other person more comfortable sharing their vulnerabilities (Doell, 2003). 

In the workplace, building trust between team members helps establish healthier working relationships, boosting levels of engagement and sharing of information that is crucial for group development (Roger and Farson, 1957). 

Resolving conflicts

Sometimes, we become so entrenched in our own beliefs that it is difficult to see other people’s perspectives. Active listening gives the opportunity to understand alternative viewpoints and identify possible areas of agreement to move forward toward a resolution (Phillips, 1999).

When neither party is listening, the conversation becomes formulaic, and there is a greater risk of misunderstanding. 

Broadening knowledge

Maintaining a good level of interest in the topic of the conversation can promote understanding and learning of a variety of subjects. In personal interactions, this approach helps incorporate new knowledge and opinions into our perspective, empowering our ability to see things with greater awareness.

In the workplace, it allows us to have a more in-depth approach when trying to assimilate more details about a topic or when planning a strategy for organizational improvement.

Anticipating problems

When we make an effort to understand the speaker’s message correctly, we are in a better position to identify problems that are not immediately evident on the surface and devise a strategy to address them promptly (Phillips, 1999).

This can also limit the chance of errors occurring in the workplace, as we make sure we are not missing important information.

Promoting collaboration and empathy

Using validating words and feedback when listening to others’ experiences allows us to adopt a more empathetic attitude, resulting in greater emotional support and strengthening the quality of our relationships.

It also helps create a positive environment at work by encouraging open communication between colleagues and improving teams’ collaboration skills (Jonsdottir and Kristinsson, 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between active and passive listening.

While in active listening, the listener pays complete attention to the content of the conversation and responds accordingly, in passive listening, there is no reaction or comment to the information that has been shared. 

A passive listener simply consumes the message without showing interest in the content and neglects the details that allow a full understanding of the speaker’s intention, including nonverbal cues and hidden meanings.

An indication of passive listening is the person not being able to fully absorb the content of the message and recall it in the future.  

How can active listening help to avoid miscommunication?

Miscommunication typically occurs when there is a mismatch between our understanding and the real meaning of the message, increasing the risk of problems and conflicts.

One of the most effective active listening skills that can help avoid miscommunication is restating what the person has said, as it will clarify whether the information has been understood properly, as well as asking relevant follow-up questions. 

In addition, fully engaging in the conversation and avoiding distractions will allow most of our attentional resources to be directed toward the speaker, noticing the nuances of their opinions more accurately.

How can active listening improve a relationship?

Listening is an emotional skill that enables us to be sensitive to what others are saying, prioritizing their expression of thoughts and feelings over ours.

Through active listening, we deliver the message that we want to be there for that person, providing a safe space where they will not be judged, disbelieved, or criticized. 

When we show understanding and the ability to remember information that is relevant to the other person, we can create stronger bonds and healthier relationships based on trust and empathy (Bodie et al., 2015).

Bodie, G. D., Vickery, A. J., Cannava, K., & Jones, S. M. (2015). The role of “active listening” in informal helping conversations: Impact on perceptions of listener helpfulness, sensitivity, and supportiveness and discloser emotional improvement.  Western Journal of Communication ,  79 (2), 151-173.

Doell, F (2003). “Partners’ listening styles and relationship satisfaction: listening to understand vs. listening to respond.” Graduate thesis. The University of Toronto Psychology Dept.

Garland, D. R. (1981). Training married couples in listening skills: Effects on behavior, perceptual accuracy and marital adjustment.  Family Relations , 297-306.

Jonsdottir, I. J., & Kristinsson, K. (2020). Supervisors’ active-empathetic listening as an important antecedent of work engagement.  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ,  17 (21), 7976.

Lunenburg, F. C. (2010). Communication: The process, barriers, and improving effectiveness.  Schooling ,  1 (1), 1-10.

McNaughton, D., Hamlin, D., McCarthy, J., Head-Reeves, D., & Schreiner, M. (2008). Learning to listen: Teaching an active listening strategy to preservice education professionals.  Topics in Early Childhood Special Education ,  27 (4), 223-231.

Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013).  Motivational interviewing: Helping people change . Guilford press.

Nelson-Jones, R. (2014). Nelson-Jones’ theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy. Nelson-Jones’ Theory and Practice of Counselling and Psychotherapy , 1-528.

Phillips, B. (1999). Reformulating dispute narratives through active listening.  Mediation Quarterly ,  17 (2), 161-180.

Robertson, K. (2005). Active listening: More than just paying attention.  Australian Family Physician ,  34 (12), 1053–1055.

Rogers, C. R., & Farson, R. E. (1957). Active listening.  Chicago, IL .

Stanovich, K. E., West, R. F., & Toplak, M. E. (2013). Myside bias, rational thinking, and intelligence.  Current Directions in Psychological Science ,  22 (4), 259-264.

Weger Jr, H., Castle, G. R., & Emmett, M. C. (2010). Active listening in peer interviews: The influence of message paraphrasing on perceptions of listening skill.  The Intl. Journal of Listening ,  24 (1), 34-49.

Weiste, E., & Peräkylä, A. (2014). Prosody and empathic communication in psychotherapy interaction.  Psychotherapy Research ,  24 (6), 687-701.Westland, G. (2015).  Verbal and non-verbal communication in psychotherapy . WW Norton & Company.

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Watch CBS News

Let's (try to) end the debate: Does biweekly mean twice a week or twice a month?

By Aliza Chasan

June 2, 2024 / 1:56 PM EDT / CBS News

A dictionary search for biweekly likely won't clear up confusion about how often a biweekly meeting is being held. 

Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, and the Cambridge Dictionary each offer two different definitions for the adjective: occurring twice a week or occurring every two weeks. The language conundrum goes beyond biweekly; bimonthly and biannual also have competing definitions. Is the bimonthly meeting twice a month or is it every two months? Is the biannual family reunion twice a year or once every two years? 

The different definitions have left people — even the ones working at dictionaries — scratching their heads for a long time. 

"This is absolutely a problem of English, just generally, we just don't have a good tool for this," Merriam-Webster editor Peter Sokolowski said. "It is odd that bi, which means two and twice, then becomes confused with itself. It's an unusual circumstance linguistically."

People search biweekly, bimonthly and biannual on the Merriam-Webster website often, Sokolowski said.

"A lot of the tension that we get is for new words or slang words or things, but actually, it's this kind of word that is the bread and butter of the dictionary," Sokolowski said. "You know, these ambiguities of English that send people to the dictionary day in and day out, year in and year out."

The Associated Press, which guides the style choices of many news organizations, took a stand on the definition it uses. It says biweekly means every other week and that semiweekly means twice a week.

In day-to-day life, Sokolowski advises ensuring you provide context if you plan to say biweekly, bimonthly or biannually. Or just work around it — say twice a week, twice a month and so on. Laurel MacKenzie, associate professor with the NYU Department of Linguistics, agreed.

"Sometimes you really just have to paraphrase because it can be totally ambiguous without context," she said.

Michael Adams, an Indiana University English professor, said bringing back the word fortnight, a period of 14 days, and the word fortnightly, something occurring once every 14 days, would solve a lot of the problems with biweekly. 

"So if we're looking for a solution to the problem, let's bring fortnight and fortnightly back into use," Adams said. "And then we don't have to worry about biweekly or bimonthly meaning two things, or about inserting semiweekly or semimonthly which users clearly, from the historical record, do not prefer."

A review of the Corpus of Historical American English, which can be used to determine how frequently a word is used compared to other words, shows fortnight and fortnightly have been used more frequently than biweekly and that biweekly, in turn, has been used more often than semiweekly, Adams said. 

"That's the result of fortnight being an old English word so well established historically that people saw no reason to use biweekly to mean every two weeks," Adams said.

While fortnight and fortnightly were much more frequently used historically than biweekly, their usage began to peter out a little bit after the 1950s, Adams said. 

And though the ambiguous definition of biweekly has been confusing people for a long time, dictionaries haven't decided to stick to just a single definition. 

"The basic issue is that language isn't math," Sokolowski said. 

Instituting a language change and getting people to follow along with it is challenging, MacKenzie said. When language does change, it's usually to be more equitable in how terms are phrased. 

"It's very hard for anybody to litigate or legislate language," she said. 

Aliza Chasan is a Digital Content Producer for "60 Minutes" and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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