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• What is Paraphrasing? An Overview With Examples
• Learn English
• James Prior
• No Comments
• Updated February 23, 2024

What is paraphrasing? Or should I say what is the definition of paraphrasing? If you want to restate something using different words whilst retaining the same meaning, this is paraphrasing.

In this article, we cover what paraphrasing is, why it’s important, and when you should do it. Plus, some benefits and examples.

Table of Contents

Paraphrase Definition: What is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is when you restate the information from a source using your own words while maintaining the original meaning. It involves expressing the ideas in a different way, often to clarify or simplify the content, without directly quoting the source.

When you paraphrase, you are not only borrowing, clarifying, or expanding on the information but also ensuring that you do all of these actions without plagiarizing the original content. It’s therefore definitely worth learning how to paraphrase if you want to improve your writing skills.

Why is Paraphrasing Important?

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill that allows you to convey information in your unique writing style while still giving credit to someone else’s ideas. It’s important for several reasons, and it serves various functions in both academic and professional writing.

Here are some key reasons why you should paraphrase:

• Paraphrasing allows you to present information from sources in your own words, reducing the risk of plagiarism. Proper in-text citation is still necessary, but paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding and interpretation of the material.
• When you paraphrase, you are required to comprehend the original content fully. You actively engage with the information, helping you better understand complex concepts and ideas. This process of restating the information in your own words showcases your understanding of the subject matter.
• By paraphrasing, you can clarify complex ideas or technical language and convey information in a clearer, shorter, and simpler form. This makes it more accessible to your audience and ensures they grasp the key points. This is particularly important when communicating with readers who may not be familiar with specialized terminology.
• Paraphrasing is valuable when synthesizing information from various sources. It enables you to blend ideas cohesively while maintaining a consistent writing style throughout your work.
• Paraphrasing allows you to inject your unique writing style and voice into the content. It helps you present information in a way that is more aligned with your personal expression and perspective.
• In certain situations where you need to meet specific length requirements for assignments or publications, paraphrasing allows you to convey information more concisely while still preserving the essential meaning.
• Paraphrasing helps maintain a smooth flow and cohesiveness in your writing. It allows you to integrate information seamlessly, avoiding abrupt shifts between your own ideas and those from external sources.
• Depending on your audience, you may need to adapt the language and level of technicality of the information you present. Paraphrasing allows you to tailor the content to suit the needs of your specific readership.

Incorporating paraphrasing into your writing not only showcases your understanding of the material but also enhances the overall quality and originality of your work.

When Should You Paraphrase?

Knowing when to paraphrase is an important skill, especially in academic writing and professional communication. Here are some situations in which you should consider paraphrasing:

• To Avoid Plagiarism:  Whenever you want to incorporate information from source material into your own work, but don’t want to use a direct quotation, paraphrasing is necessary to present the ideas in your own words while still acknowledging the original source.
• To Express Understanding:  Paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding of a topic by rephrasing the information in a way that shows you have processed and comprehended the material.
• To Simplify Complex Information:  If you encounter complex or technical language that may be difficult for your audience to understand, paraphrasing can help you clarify and simplify the information to make it more accessible and digestible.
• To Integrate Multiple Sources:  When synthesizing information from multiple sources, paraphrasing allows you to blend the ideas cohesively while maintaining your own voice and perspective.
• To Maintain Consistency in Writing Style:  In academic writing or professional writing, paraphrasing can help you maintain a consistent writing style throughout your work. This helps to ensure that all sections flow smoothly and are coherent.
• To Meet Specific Requirements:  Some assignments or publications may have specific requirements. This could relate to the number of words or concern the use of direct quotations. In such cases, paraphrasing allows you to meet these requirements while still incorporating relevant information from your sources.

What Are the Benefits of Paraphrasing?

Rewriting information in a clearer, shorter, and simpler form is called paraphrasing, so one of the benefits of paraphrasing is already clear! However, it can also be a useful exercise for other reasons, which are outlined below:

Avoiding Plagiarism

One of the main benefits of paraphrasing is mastering the ability to present information from external sources in a way that is entirely your own. By restructuring the content and expressing it using your words, you create a distinct piece of writing that reflects your comprehension and interpretation of the original material. This not only showcases your academic or professional integrity but also safeguards against unintentional plagiarism.

Paraphrasing is a fundamental skill in academic and professional settings, where originality and proper attribution are highly valued. This is especially true when it comes to writing research papers, where you’ll often need to reference someone else’s ideas with appropriate citations.

When you paraphrase effectively, you communicate to your audience that you respect the intellectual property of others while contributing your unique insights. This ethical approach to information usage enhances your credibility as a writer or researcher and reinforces the integrity of your work.

Enhancing Understanding

When you engage in paraphrasing, you actively participate in the material you are working with. You are forced to consider the ideas presented in the source material. You need to discern the essential concepts, identify key phrases, and decide how best to convey the message in a way that resonates with you.

This active engagement not only aids in understanding the content but also encourages critical thinking as you evaluate and interpret the information from your own standpoint.

By expressing someone else’s ideas in your own words, you deepen your understanding of the content. This process requires you to dissect the original text, grasp its nuances, and then reconstruct it using your language and perspective. In this way, you go beyond mere memorization and truly internalize the information, fostering a more profound comprehension of the subject matter.

Tailoring Information for Your Audience

Paraphrasing empowers you to adapt the language and complexity of the information to suit the needs and understanding of your audience. As you rephrase the content, you have the flexibility to adjust the level of technicality, simplify complex terminology, or tailor the tone to make the information more accessible to your specific readership.

Consider your audience’s background, knowledge level, and interests. Paraphrasing allows you to bridge the gap between the original content and the understanding of your intended audience.

Whether you are communicating with experts in a particular field or a general audience, the ability to paraphrase ensures that the information is conveyed in a way that resonates with and is comprehensible to your readers. This skill not only facilitates effective communication but also demonstrates your awareness of the diverse needs of your audience.

Improves Writing Skills

Paraphrasing helps in the development and refinement of your writing skills. When you actively engage in the process of rephrasing someone else’s ideas, you hone your ability to express concepts in a clear, concise, and coherent manner.

This practice refines your language proficiency, encouraging you to explore different types of sentence structure, experiment with vocabulary, and ultimately develop a more sophisticated and nuanced writing style.

As you paraphrase, you gain a heightened awareness of grammar, syntax, and word choice. This translates into improved writing, helping you construct well-articulated sentences and paragraphs. Moreover, paraphrasing allows you to experiment with different writing tones and adapt your style to suit the context or purpose of your writing, fostering versatility and adaptability in your expression.

Saves Time and Energy

Paraphrasing can significantly reduce the time and energy spent on the writing process. Rather than grappling with the challenge of integrating lengthy direct quotations or struggling to find the perfect synonym, paraphrasing allows you to distill and convey information in a more streamlined way.

This becomes particularly advantageous when faced with strict deadlines. By mastering paraphrasing, you empower yourself to produce well-crafted, original content in a shorter timeframe, allowing you to meet deadlines without compromising the quality of your work.

Examples of Paraphrasing

Here are some examples of paraphrasing:

• Original:  “The advancements in technology have revolutionized the way we communicate with each other.”
• Paraphrased:  “Technological progress has transformed how we interact and communicate with one another.”
• Original:  “Deforestation poses a significant threat to global ecosystems and biodiversity.”
• Paraphrased:  “The impact of deforestation represents a substantial danger to ecosystems and the diversity of life on a global scale.”
• Original:  “Effective time management is essential for achieving productivity in both professional and personal spheres.”
• Paraphrased:  “Efficient management of time is crucial for attaining productivity in both professional and personal aspects of life.”
• Original:  “The restaurant offers a diverse selection of culinary choices, ranging from traditional dishes to modern fusion cuisine.”
• Paraphrased:  “The restaurant provides a variety of food options, including both traditional and modern fusion dishes.”
• Original:  “The novel explores the complexities of human relationships in a rapidly changing society.”
• Paraphrased:  “The book delves into the challenges of human connections in a fast-changing world.”
• Original:  “Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining optimal physical health and preventing various health issues.”
• Paraphrased:  “Exercising regularly is important for keeping your body healthy and avoiding health problems.”

In these examples, you can observe the use of different wording, sentence structure, and synonyms while preserving the core meaning of the original sentences. This is the essence of paraphrasing.

What Are the Differences Between Paraphrasing, Quoting, and Summarizing?

So, we’ve established that successful paraphrasing is a way of rewriting someone else’s words whilst retaining their meaning and still giving credit to the original author’s ideas. But how is this different from quoting and summarizing?

While paraphrasing, quoting, and summarizing are all ways of incorporating information from source material into your own writing, there are key differences between them:

Paraphrasing

• Definition:  Paraphrasing involves rephrasing someone else’s ideas or information in your own words while retaining the original meaning.
• Usage:  You use paraphrasing when you want to present the information in a way that suits your writing style or when you need to clarify complex ideas.
• Example:  Original: “The study found a significant correlation between sleep deprivation and decreased cognitive performance.” Paraphrased: “The research indicated a notable link between lack of sleep and a decline in cognitive function.”
• Definition:  Quoting involves directly using the exact words from a source and enclosing them in quotation marks.
• Usage:  You use quoting when the original wording is essential, either because of its precision or uniqueness, or when you want to highlight a specific phrase or concept.
• Example:  Original: “The author argues, ‘In the absence of clear guidelines, individual judgment becomes paramount in decision-making.'”

The use of quotation marks is vital when quoting.

Summarizing

• Definition:  Summarizing involves condensing the main ideas of a source or original passage in your own words, focusing on the most crucial points.
• Usage:  You use summarizing when you need to provide a concise overview of a longer piece of text or when you want to capture the key points without including all the details.
• Example:  Original: A lengthy article discussing various factors influencing climate change. Summary: “The article outlines key factors contributing to climate change, including human activities and natural processes.”

In summary, paraphrasing is about expressing someone else’s ideas in your own words, quoting involves directly using the original words, and summarizing is about condensing the main points of a source.

Each technique serves different purposes in writing and should be used based on your specific goals and the nature of the information you are incorporating. If you want to level up your writing skills you need to be able to do all three of these.

Conclusion (In Our Own Words)

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill with numerous benefits. It helps you understand complex ideas, refine your writing style, and demonstrate ethical information use. It also allows you to tailor information for different audiences and can save time in academic and professional writing.

So, if you want to incorporate information from external sources into your writing in a way that is clear, concise, and respectful of the original author’s work, it’s worth mastering the art of paraphrasing.

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Definition of paraphrase

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of paraphrase  (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

transitive verb

Did you know?

When we paraphrase, we provide a version that can exist beside the original (rather than replace it). We paraphrase all the time. When you tell a friend what someone else has said, you're almost always paraphrasing, since you're not repeating the exact words. If you go to hear a talk, you might paraphrase the speaker's main points afterward for your friends. And when writing a paper on a short story, you might start off your essay with a paraphrase of the plot. Paraphrasing is especially useful when dealing with poetry, since poetic language is often difficult and poems may have meanings that are hard to pin down.

• restatement
• translating
• translation

Examples of paraphrase in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paraphrase.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Noun and Verb

Middle French, from Latin paraphrasis , from Greek, from paraphrazein to paraphrase, from para- + phrazein to point out

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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Cite this Entry

“Paraphrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraphrase. Accessed 8 Apr. 2024.

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Kids definition of paraphrase.

Kids Definition of paraphrase  (Entry 2 of 2)

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paraphrase

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Paraphrasing Explained: Definition, Techniques, and Examples for Effective Writing

Table of contents

While researching for your article or essay, you might have encountered a sentence or a paragraph that's so intriguing that you thought you must include it in your content! But you can't use those exact words, right?

Well, paraphrasing is the way to do that. However, the idea is not to steal someone's content but to capitalize on it by drafting a much better version while adding your input and research.

You can always have your own piece written and make it more intuitive to your audience while using the original one as a reference.

'It's easier said than done'

'Although the idea sounds like a good one in theory, it will still be difficult to actually execute it.'

Both the above sentences have similar meanings, but they appear different. That's a classic example of paraphrasing.

But how do you paraphrase while keeping the essence of the original sentence intact and still not plagiarising?

That calls for some tips and tricks! And here, we have got you covered.

In this blog, we will explain what is paraphrasing, why you might need to paraphrase, how to paraphrase, and the difference between paraphrasing and summarizing.

Let's dive in.

What is paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is the process of restructuring or tweaking a paragraph so that it represents the same meaning or idea from the original statement but with different sentence construction, choice of words, formats, or, possibly, tone or voice.

It means making the meaning clearer, especially in a shorter and simpler form, along with your thoughts/comments. In addition to borrowing, clarifying, or expanding on information and your comments, paraphrasing is doing all the above-stated actions without plagiarizing the information.

Why do people paraphrase?

There are several reasons why people paraphrase. Following are some of the reasons for paraphrasing.

• Paraphrasing helps avoid plagiarism.
• It also provides support for claims or adds credibility to the writing.
• It demonstrates your understanding and provides an alternative method to using indirect and direct quotes in your own words (referenced) infrequently.
• Paraphrasing in academic research helps utilize source material for writing essays, providing evidence that the essay is appropriately referenced.
• Paraphrasing in writing helps you ensure that you use sources to communicate something important to your readers.

What is paraphrasing plagiarism?

Plagiarism is stealing someone else’s ideas without acknowledgment. Plagiarism can come in several forms: global, verbatim, patchwork, paraphrase, and self-plagiarism. However, apart from global plagiarism, other types of plagiarism are often accidental.

Although paraphrasing is accepted , rephrasing sentences or paraphrasing someone else’s idea without citing or acknowledgment is considered paraphrasing plagiarism. Even when translating someone else’s words, if the translated text from another language is not cited, this is also a type of paraphrasing plagiarism.

How to paraphrase?

When it comes to paraphrasing, you can either do it manually or use an AI-powered tool like Writesonic to rephrase your content. While we will guide you through both processes, here is how to paraphrase with Writesonic Content Rephrase v2.

Check out the steps below:

• Log in to Writesonic or sign up (if you haven't already done so!).
• Search for Content Rephrase and select Content Rephrase v2 from the result.

• On the Content Rephrase v2 window, put the text in the Content box.
• Select the Words Length from the drop-down for the rephrased content.
• Select your Brand Voice / Tone of Voice from the list.
• Finally, hit the Generate button.

If you want, you can also paraphrase manually without using any tool.  Here is a guide on different techniques to paraphrase effectively,

What is the difference between summarizing and paraphrasing?

Summarizing is a concise statement that briefs the contents of the passage, whereas paraphrasing is when you rewrite sentences using your own words. There is more than one difference between summarizing and paraphrasing.

Refer to the following comparison chart to learn the differences between summarizing and paraphrasing, besides their definition.

Top 5 tips and tricks to follow while paraphrasing

Following are 5 digestible paraphrasing tips you can incorporate when paraphrasing your sentences.

Identify the important parts

Since paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding of the original material, you must know the meaning of the passage you are trying to paraphrase. To do so, read and re-read the original content until you know the idea enough to explain it in your own words.

Once you get the original concept, reduce it to the key ideas or points, and don't focus on the sentence structures at the start. Another way to rewrite or reword the source without losing your key points is by using a paraphrasing tool .

Change up the words

While noting down the concepts or key points, change up the words by using synonyms. But if you face writer's block and can’t find the right words, which can make your content incompetent, make use of rewording tools .

AI rewording tools can come up with synonyms, organize your phrases, and enhance your sentence structure. Moreover, an AI wording tool ensures the content is unique, original, and plagiarism-free.

Make sure meaning is preserved

Although paraphrasing requires rewording and changing the words, ensure that the same meaning must be maintained along with the ideas. In addition to that, keep your word choices lucid and simple to convey the relevant information from the source without sticking too close to the original source.

One way to keep your writing consistent when paraphrasing is by using paraphrasing tools . The AI tool can alter the sentence structure while maintaining the original meaning.

Double-check for grammar and punctuation

When paraphrasing, ensure to double-check and compare them with the original passage. Make adjustments to ensure it’s completely rewritten and that the grammar and punctuation are on point.

Double-checking your work for grammar and punctuation by reviewing it more than once improves the quality of your work. Paragraph rewriters use AI for paraphrasing, which can tweak the tonality and narrative, ensure a grammar check, and make the content concise and conceivable.

Use an online paraphrasing tool like Writesonic

As stated previously in the article, using a paraphrasing tool is the fastest and fool-proof way to paraphrase your sources without plagiarizing them. One such creative AI writing tool that assists you with paraphrasing is Writesonic .

Writersonic is trained on billions of parameters. It refines the grammar, spelling, and style to generate original, paraphrased content. In addition to that, Writersonic generates unique and plagiarism-free content that resonates with the target audience with just one click.

With AI chatbots like ChatGPT by Open AI and ChatSonic by Writesonic taking away all the limelight, they can also be used effectively for paraphrasing text.

Different strategies for paraphrasing

Even though there are AI paraphrasing tools to make the work easier, the following are different strategies you can use to paraphrase your sentence.

Understanding the main ideas

One of the strategies for successful paraphrasing is understanding the source's main idea and writing style. When you understand the idea behind the sentence, it becomes easier to explain in your own words.

After taking note of the important nouns and verbs, see which synonyms might be appropriate to replace. You can use a synonym that expresses the same meaning for the key concepts or points in the original sentence.

Making connections

When you use synonyms, it is given that the structure may also need a little changing. So, instead of just swapping a single word, make appropriate changes around the words to make sense of the sentence. Here, your paraphrasing skills come into play.

Here is an example of paraphrasing: “ According to scientists, there is another method to achieve a pollution-free environment.”

The paraphrased content would say something like - “Scientists found an alternate way to attain a pollution-free environment.”

In the above sentence, the adjective ‘according to’ is swapped with the verb ‘found’ along with other necessary changes. These changes are made to maintain a harmonious connection between the words and to make the sentence sensible while retaining its meaning and avoiding plagiarism.

Focusing on syntax

The syntax is the arrangement of words in a specific order written in well-formed phrases or sentences. While paraphrasing is about restating or rewording, ensure to focus on the well-structured and grammatically correct sentences by making appropriate connections or paraphrases.

Benefits of paraphrasing

Paraphrasing has some benefits that you can reap in aspects of your writing skills and learning abilities.

Improves writing skills

As discovered, paraphrasing requires you to paraphrase the passages in your own words, which may help refurbish your writing skills. Rewriting or paraphrasing is a favorable writing skill in writing essays or research papers.

Paraphrasing allows you to express ideas or information in a refreshing and simple manner. It provides an opportunity to enhance your writing skills and stop plagiarizing someone else’s work. This includes rewriting and expressing the ideas in your own voice.

Increases comprehension

Comprehension is understanding the written material and explaining what is read. As stated previously, paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding of the complex details from the source and your ability to explain the connections between main points.

Moreover, it was found that paraphrasing for comprehension is an excellent tool for reinforcing reading skills. It can assist by identifying the main ideas, finding supporting details, and identifying the original author's voice.

So when you rewrite the sentence in your own words, you can double-check your comprehension. This helps improve your awareness and allows you to gain a better understanding of the content, and allows you to write better.

Enhances understanding

To paraphrase words or phrases, you must extract their meaning by reading the material again and again and fully understanding the context. This allows the reader to understand the original statement more clearly by adding more clarity to it. So, when you paraphrase the original phrase, you articulate your thoughts and ideas more clearly and come up with new insights and perspectives on the topic.

Saves time & energy

Creating content from scratch is difficult and requires much time and energy. It requires you to do proper research, which is both time and energy-consuming.

An easy solution to the painstaking process is paraphrasing your sentence with appropriate citations. This will allow you to create the content without spending much time on research and ideation, saving much of your time and energy.

Helps avoid plagiarism

Among all the benefits, the most favorable benefit of paraphrasing is that it helps you avoid the accusation of plagiarism. You are simply committing plagiarism (an offense as stated by the federal government) when you use the same idea and speech from the original text, word by word.

However, by rewording the original source, you can present the ideas in your own words and easily avoid plagiarism. What’s more, paraphrasing can save you in both accidental and deliberate cases of plagiarism.

Paraphrasing examples

Now that we have known all about paraphrasing, its reasons for use, and its benefits, let’s look at some examples of paraphrasing and how exactly you can paraphrase.

#1 Example of Paraphrasing

#2 example of paraphrasing, final words.

Once you grasp the concept of paraphrasing, it can be a powerful tool for writers. It provides several benefits in aspects of writing and learning skills. The correct way and right use of paraphrasing can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism.

However, note that successful and correct paraphrasing requires the use of multiple techniques each time. So, it is not sufficient to simply replace the keywords or the main concepts with synonyms.

One of the easiest ways to reword the original source is by using an AI writing tool. Writersonic is a well-known AI paraphrasing tool that can refine grammar, spelling, and style to generate original plagiarism-free AI content .

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• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Paraphrase

I. What is a Paraphrase?

A paraphrase (pronounced par – uh -freyz) is a restatement or rewording of a paragraph  or text,  in order to borrow, clarify, or expand on information without plagiarizing. Paraphrasing is an important tool to use when writing research papers, essays , and pieces of journalism.

II. Examples of Paraphrasing

For examples of paraphrasing, consider these possible re-wordings of the same statement:

She angered me with her inappropriate comments, rumor-spreading, and disrespectfulness at the formal dinner table.

She made me angry when she was rude at dinner.

This paraphrase is an example of a rewording which shortens and simplifies while maintaining the same meaning.

Her impoliteness, gossiping, and general lack of respect at dinner infuriated me.

This rephrasing maintains the same meaning but is rearranged in a creative way.

I was mad when she started spreading rumors, making inappropriate comments, and disrespecting other guests at our dinner.

Another paraphrase, this rewording properly and interestingly rearranges the information provided in the original sentence.

III. Types of Paraphrasing

A. change of parts of speech.

Parts of speech ranging from verbs and nouns to adjectives and adverbs are replaced with new parts of speech in this type of paraphrasing. Here is an example:

Original Sentence:

The boy quickly ran across the finish line, seizing yet another victory.

Paraphrase:

The quick boy seized yet another victory when he ran across the finish line.

In this example, many parts of speech are changed: the adverb quickly becomes the adjective quick, and the verb phrase with the gerund seizing becomes the verb seized.

B.  Change of Structure

This type of paraphrasing involves changing the sentence’s structure, sometimes creating a passive voice from an active voice and vice versa. The change in structure can be used to reflect the writer’s interpretation of the original quote. Here is an example of change of structure paraphrasing:

Puppies were adopted by numerous kind souls at the puppy drive.

Many kind souls adopted puppies during the puppy drive.

In this example, the object of the sentence (kind souls) becomes the subject with an active voice (adopted) rather than a passive voice (were adopted).

C. Reduction of Clauses

Reduction of clauses paraphrases reduce the number of clauses in a sentence, which can be interruptive or confusing, by incorporating the phrases into the sentence. Here is an example of reduction of clauses paraphrasing:

While I understand where you’re coming from, and truly respect your opinion, I wish you would express yourself more clearly, like Clara does.

I understand where you’re coming from and respect your opinion, but I wish you would be more like Clara and express yourself more clearly.

D. Synonym Replacement

Synonym replacement paraphrasing is one of the simplest forms of paraphrasing: replacing words with similar words, or synonyms. Here is an example:

The older citizens were honored with a parade for those once in the military.

Senior citizens were honored with a march for veterans.

In this example, many synonyms are used: older citizens are senior citizens, a parade becomes a march, and those once in the military refers to veterans.

IV. The Importance of Using Paraphrase

Paraphrasing is a way of referencing a source without directly quoting it or of further explaining a selected quote. Correct paraphrasing is important in that poor paraphrasing can result in accusations of plagiarism, or copying from a source without correctly citing it. Paraphrasing allows writers to examine the meaning of others’ work, creatively rephrase their statements, and craft information to suit an essay or composition’s goal or focus.

V. Paraphrase in Literature

Paraphrasing can be found in a variety of journalistic sources from newspapers to film documentaries to literary journals. Here are a few examples of paraphrasing in literature:

Someone once wrote that musicians are touched on the shoulder by God, and I think it’s true. You can make other people happy with music, but you can make yourself happy too.

In John Berendt’s nonfiction novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil , a character references what someone has once written by paraphrasing their message.

I’m going to paraphrase Thoreau here… rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness… give me truth.

In this example from the nonfiction novel Into the Wild , Jon Krakauer paraphrases Thoreau’s larger message of transcendence.

So far, Laurance’s critiques of new road-building schemes have been well received, but he expects that to change.

In Michelle Nijhuis’ article “What Roads Have Wrought,” William Laurance is paraphrased rather than quoted to express his general viewpoint.

VI. Paraphrase in Pop Culture

Paraphrasing is often found in pop culture when attempting to translate the language of older plays, poems, and stories, such as Shakespeare’s works. Here are a few examples of paraphrasing in pop culture:

10 Things I Hate About You (1999):

Just a minor encounter with the shrew… the mewling, rampalian wretch herself.

In the modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew , many characters ’ lines paraphrase Shakespeare’s originals. Here is Shakespeare’s version:

A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew.

A Different World: Romeo, Oh Romeo

First, the student reads Shakespeare’s original words:

Oh gentle Romeo. If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully. Or if thou thinkest I’m too quickly won, I’ll frown and be perverse and say thee nay, so thou wilt woo.

Then, she paraphrases to translate its meaning for modern ears:

It’s all about translation. Oh, sweet thang Romeo. If you think I’m all that, then step to me correctly. But if you think I’m a skeeze, I’ll be dissin’ and dismissin’, then you’ll be workin’ overtime getting’ me back.

VII. Related Terms

Like paraphrases, summaries are rewordings of original statements. Whereas paraphrases are precise and specific, summaries are brief and selective. Summaries report main points in a shortened version of the original, whereas paraphrases simply restate the original statement in a new way. Here is an example of summary versus paraphrase:

Original Statement:

At the party we had delicious red punch, a bunch of different appetizers, and a cookout. Since it was at the park, we played volleyball, went swimming, and sunbathed for fun.

At the party we enjoyed food and drink and various outdoor activities.

Here, the summary purposefully shortens the original statement while covering its major points.

At the party we drank some punch, ate a handful of appetizers, and had a cookout. The park allowed us to enjoy a number of enjoyable activities from volleyball to swimming to sunbathing.

As this example shows, the paraphrase rephrases the original statement and keeps more of its original content than the summary.

Translation

Although paraphrase sometimes translates difficult phrasing into more understandable phrasing, it is not literally considered translation. For something to be a translation, it must change writing in one language to another language. Here is an example of translation versus paraphrasing:

Original Phrase:

That’s life.

Translation into French:

C’est la vie.

That’s just how life goes sometimes.

Although we loosely may refer to paraphrase as translating ideas, technically it is not a tool of translation.

VIII. In Closing

Paraphrasing is an important tool for nonfiction writers, journalists, and essayists alike. It is a common proponent of news and reporting. Correct paraphrasing protects writers from plagiarism and allows them to creatively rephrase original works, incorporating them into their own compositions.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

Paraphrasing - an overview

Paraphrasing is ..., what are the differences between quoting, paraphrasing & summarising .

• Why Paraphrase?
• Paraphrasing versus Plagiarism
• The Do's and Don'ts of Paraphrasing
• Paraphrasing - examples
• Further Information

Paraphrasing is 'a restating of someone else’s thoughts or ideas in your own words. You must always cite your source when paraphrasing’ (Pears & Shields, 2019 p. 245).  

(Solas English, 2017)

• Quoting means using someone else’s exact words and putting them in quotation marks.. 
• Paraphrasing means expressing someone else’s ideas in your own voice, while keeping the same essential meaning.
• Summarising means taking a long passage of text from someone else and condensing the main ideas in your own words.

Watch the video below for more information.  

(UNC Writing Center, 2019)

• Next: Why Paraphrase? >>
• Last Updated: Sep 8, 2023 9:42 AM
• URL: https://lit.libguides.com/paraphrasing

The Library, Technological University of the Shannon: Midwest

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

A paraphrase is a restatement of a text in another form or other words, often to simplify or clarify meaning .

"When you paraphrase," says Brenda Spatt, "you retain everything about the original writing but the words."

"When I put down words that I say somebody said they needn't be the exact words, just what you might call the meaning." (Mark Harris, The Southpaw . Bobbs-Merrill, 1953

Paraphrasing Steve Jobs

"I've often heard Steve [Jobs] explain why Apple's products look so good or work so well by telling the 'show car' anecdote . 'You see a show car,' he would say (I'm paraphrasing here, but this is pretty close to his words), 'and you think, "That's a great design, it's got great lines." Four or five years later, the car is in the showroom and in television ads, and it sucks. And you wonder what happened. They had it. They had it, and then they lost it.'" (Jay Elliot with William Simon, The Steve Jobs Way: iLeadership for a New Generation . Vanguard, 2011

Summary, Paraphrase, and Quotation

"A summary , written in your own words, briefly restates the writer's main points. Paraphrase , although written in your own words, is used to relate the details or the progression of an idea in your source. Quotation , used sparingly, can lend credibility to your work or capture a memorable passage." (L. Behrens, A Sequence for Academic Writing . Longman, 2009

How to Paraphrase a Text

" Paraphrase passages that present important points, explanations, or arguments but that don't contain memorable or straightforward wording. Follow these steps: (R. VanderMey, The College Writer . Houghton, 2007

• Quickly review the passage to get a sense of the whole, and then go through the passage carefully, sentence by sentence.
• State the ideas in your own words, defining words as needed.
• If necessary, edit for clarity, but don't change the meaning.
• If you borrow phrases directly, put them in quotation marks .
• Check your paraphrase against the original for accurate tone and meaning."

Reasons for Using Paraphrase

" Paraphrasing helps your readers to gain a detailed understanding of your sources , and, indirectly, to accept your thesis as valid. There are two major reasons for using paraphrase in your essays .

1. Use paraphrase to present information or evidence whenever there is no special reason for using a direct quotation . . . . 2. Use paraphrase to give your readers an accurate and comprehensive account of ideas taken from a source--ideas that you intend to explain, interpret, or disagree with in your essay. . . .

"When you take notes for an essay based on one or more sources, you should mostly paraphrase. Quote only when recording phrases or sentences that clearly merit quotation. All quotable phrases and sentences should be transcribed accurately in your notes, with quotation marks separating the paraphrase from the quotation." (Brenda Spatt, Writing From Sources , 8th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2011

Paraphrase as a Rhetorical Exercise

"A  paraphrase differs from a translation in not being a transfer from one language to another. . . . We generally associate with paraphrase the notion of an expansion of the original thought by definitions , periphrasis , examples , etc., with a view to making it more intelligible; but this is not essential. Here is meant the simpler form, in which the pupil reproduces in his own words the complete thought of an author, without attempting to explain it or to imitate the style .

"It has been frequently urged against this exercise, that, in thus substituting other words for those of an accurate writer, we must necessarily choose such as are less expressive of the sense. It has, however, been defended by one of the greatest rhetoricians-- Quintilian ." (Andrew D. Hepburn, Manual of English Rhetoric , 1875

Monty Python and Computer Paraphrasing

"In the famous sketch from the TV show 'Monty Python's Flying Circus,' the actor John Cleese had many ways of saying a parrot was dead, among them, 'This parrot is no more,' 'He's expired and gone to meet his maker,' and 'His metabolic processes are now history.'

"Computers can't do nearly that well at paraphrasing . English sentences with the same meaning take so many different forms that it has been difficult to get computers to recognize paraphrases, much less produce them. "Now, using several methods, including statistical techniques borrowed from gene analysis, two researchers have created a program that can automatically generate paraphrases of English sentences." (A. Eisenberg, "Get Me Rewrite!" The New York Times , Dec. 25, 2003

The Lighter Side of Paraphrasing

"Some guy hit my fender the other day, and I said unto him, 'Be fruitful, and multiply.' But not in those words.” (Woody Allen)    "The other important joke for me is one that's usually attributed to Groucho Marx, but I think it appears originally in Freud's Wit and Its Relation to the Unconscious . And it goes like this--I'm paraphrasing --'I would never want to belong to any club that would have someone like me for a member.' That's the key joke of my adult life in terms of my relationships with women." (Woody Allen as Alvy Singer in Annie Hall , 1977)

Pronunciation: PAR-a-fraz

• How and When to Paraphrase Quotations
• What Is Plagiarism?
• Definition and Examples of Quotation in English Grammar
• A Guide to Using Quotations in Essays
• Definition and Examples of Direct Quotations
• Examples of Signal Phrases in Grammar and Composition
• What Is a Written Summary?
• Quotation and Quote
• Difference Between "Quote" and "Quotation": What Is the Right Word?
• Guidelines for Using Quotation Marks Correctly
• An Introduction to Academic Writing
• How to Use Indirect Quotations in Writing for Complete Clarity
• What Is a Citation?
• How to Use Italics
• How to Write a Good Thesis Statement

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Paraphrase: Write It in Your Own Words

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This handout is intended to help you become more comfortable with the uses of and distinctions among quotations, paraphrases, and summaries. This handout compares and contrasts the three terms, gives some pointers, and includes a short excerpt that you can use to practice these skills.

Paraphrasing is one way to use a text in your own writing without directly quoting source material. Anytime you are taking information from a source that is not your own, you need to specify where you got that information.

A paraphrase is...

• Your own rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form.
• One legitimate way (when accompanied by accurate documentation) to borrow from a source.
• A more detailed restatement than a summary, which focuses concisely on a single main idea.

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill because...

• It is better than quoting information from an undistinguished passage.
• It helps you control the temptation to quote too much.
• The mental process required for successful paraphrasing helps you to grasp the full meaning of the original.

6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing

• Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning.
• Set the original aside, and write your paraphrase on a note card.
• Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the subject of your paraphrase.
• Check your rendition with the original to make sure that your version accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form.
• Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source.
• Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper.

Some examples to compare

Note that the examples in this section use MLA style for in-text citation.

The original passage:

Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes. Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers . 2nd ed., 1976, pp. 46-47.

A legitimate paraphrase:

In research papers, students often quote excessively, failing to keep quoted material down to a desirable level. Since the problem usually originates during note taking, it is essential to minimize the material recorded verbatim (Lester 46-47).

An acceptable summary:

Students should take just a few notes in direct quotation from sources to help minimize the amount of quoted material in a research paper (Lester 46-47).

A plagiarized version:

Students often use too many direct quotations when they take notes, resulting in too many of them in the final research paper. In fact, probably only about 10% of the final copy should consist of directly quoted material. So it is important to limit the amount of source material copied while taking notes.

A note about plagiarism: This example has been classed as plagiarism, in part, because of its failure to deploy any citation. Plagiarism is a serious offense in the academic world. However, we acknowledge that plagiarism is a difficult term to define; that its definition may be contextually sensitive; and that not all instances of plagiarism are created equal—that is, there are varying “degrees of egregiousness” for different cases of plagiarism.

Rewording Made Simple: What is Paraphrasing?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to express someone else’s ideas or concepts without using their exact words? Chances are, you have had to paraphrase, consciously or unconsciously. But what exactly is paraphrasing, and how do writers use it effectively? In this comprehensive guide to rewording made simple, we will delve deep into paraphrasing by discussing its definition, purpose, techniques, and much more. 

What is paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is restating someone else’s ideas or text using your unique wording and sentence structure while maintaining the original message. Often used in academic writing to support arguments or claims without directly quoting a source, paraphrasing aids writers in integrating outside knowledge seamlessly into their work.

What is the meaning of the word paraphrase?

The term ‘paraphrase’ has its roots in ancient Greek and Latin languages from which it originates – “para,” meaning “beside,” and “phrase,” meaning “to tell” – combining to encompass “telling beside.” It implies telling an idea alongside or parallel its original form but altering its wording and organization for clarity or emphasis. Through proficient paraphrasing, writers can demonstrate that they have understood a text and have the skill set to communicate complex information effectively.

Purpose of Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing plays an essential role in writing by helping to convey information more effectively, personalize your work, and ensure originality. In this section, I will discuss several reasons for using paraphrasing skills.

Improve Word Choice

Using effective word choice is one reason for paraphrasing. What does it mean to paraphrase a text with improved word choice? It means finding synonyms or alternative phrases that enhance clarity and make the content more engaging. Diverse vocabulary enriches your writing while maintaining its cohesiveness and making it easier to understand.

Change Subject Matter

Paraphrasing allows you to adapt information from various sources while remaining relevant to your target audience. Rephrasing concepts or data can connect seemingly unrelated topics within a coherent narrative. It helps keep readers interested in what is being communicated and facilitates smooth transitions between different subjects.

Avoid Plagiarizing

One vital purpose of paraphrasing is avoiding plagiarism – presenting someone else’s work as your own without proper attribution. Careful paraphrasing ensures that you borrow ideas responsibly while putting them into your own words. This ethical approach signifies respect for others’ intellectual property rights and promotes academic integrity.

Avoid Overusing Quotes

While quoting can be helpful, overuse can hinder readability and weaken the writer’s voice in a text. Instead, opt for paraphrased versions when conveying important points from the source material without losing their essence. Balancing quotes with well-executed paraphrases contributes to more substantial content that engages readers more effectively.

Avoid Problematic Language

Sometimes, original texts may contain jargon or offensive language inappropriate for your audience or context (such as sensitive cultural references). In such cases, knowing how to paraphrase correctly helps make alterations ensuring inclusive, respectful communication without changing the message’s original meaning.

Shorten Lengthy Quotes

Lengthy quotes run the risk of overwhelming readers or diluting your key points. By paraphrasing, you can convey essential information from long passages in a more concise and focused manner without losing their core meaning. Skillful rephrasing allows for brevity and precision while simultaneously improving overall readability.

The process of paraphrasing, step by step

Much like preparing dishes from a cookbook without duplicating the imagery, paraphrasing requires understanding, distilling essential ideas, restructuring text, and sprucing up with synonyms while keeping the flavor true to the original.

Understanding the original text

Before training your hands to rewrite or “paraphrase in English,” you must first sic your mind unto comprehending what lies beneath the words of any given piece. Read meticulously until you can comfortably explain what each sentence means –– unmasking subtleties hidden in phrases, nuances lurking behind punctuation marks and intentions buried within context.

Identifying key ideas and main points

The next step down this path of paraphrasing writing spirals around plucking key notions from your comprehension exercise above. Embrace a keen eye for dividing sentences into clear-cut chunks—each standing for an individual thought tied to your overall understanding. That’s precisely how you start to decipher how you might render these “texts for paraphrasing.”

Restructuring the sentence structure and word choice

Armed with salient points jotted perhaps mentally or annotated on paper beside each paragraph line by line, navigate towards provoking new life into them through restyling their appearances –– an art often dubbed as ‘rephrase’ or ‘rewrite a paraphrase’.

Start by experimenting with rearranging elements within sentences – shuffling subjects, predicates and objects, as long as you don’t alter the message. Introduce different conjunctions or transition words to foster textual dynamism but preserve semantic authenticity.

Using synonyms, rephrasing, and changing sentence structure

One of the prime facets of ‘how to paraphrase’ lies in implementing synonimization effectively. It’s easy enough to swap random nouns or adjectives with their Thesaurus-listed siblings; however, not every synonymous pair shares the same dimensionality within various contexts. So select wisely from your repertoire of alternative words that keep your context intact while also varying your sentence pattern –– parallelism one time, antithesis another!

Maintaining the original meaning while expressing it in different words

This forms the crux of ‘what is paraphrase’ and truly separates skilful paraphrasers from novice ones––this ability to interweave changes without losing essence. The whole point of reshaping a text is showcasing information under new garments without twisting its meanings inside out. What’s penned down at last should maintain homogeneity with what started this metamorphosis.

So there you have it: An insightful deep dive into decoding how “to paraphrase.” Following these steps for each ‘paraphrasing an article’ instance will help straddle that fine line between plagiarism and genius remodeling adeptly.

Different Strategies for Paraphrasing

To effectively paraphrase a text, it’s essential to employ various tactics that help in producing an accurate and meaningful interpretation of the original passage. In this section, we’ll explore three key strategies that can aid you in mastering the art of paraphrasing: understanding the main ideas, making connections, and focusing on syntax.

Understand the Main Ideas

One crucial aspect of successful paraphrasing is grasping the core concepts conveyed by the source material. To do this:

• Thoroughly read through the original text to fully comprehend its message.
• Identify central points and supporting details.
• Note down essential information such as facts, figures, or examples provided within the context.
• Remember these main ideas while accurately recreating your version highlighting these primary elements and their subsidiary components.

Grasping this fundamental understanding before attempting to rewrite helps preserve the intended meaning when putting it into your own words.

Make Connections

Another important strategy for effective paraphrasing is establishing connections between ideas presented in a text. This approach aids you with maintaining coherence throughout your rewritten piece when representing related concepts from the original work. Here are some tips for connecting thoughts efficiently:

• Analyze how distinct sections relate to each other – Are they contrasting views? Do they emphasize different aspects of a subject?
• Identify transitional phrases and signals conveying these relationships (e.g., ‘however,’ ‘in contrast,’ ‘additionally,’ etc.)
• Use similar or alternative expressions to indicate links between ideas during restructuring without repeating exact terms verbatim.
• Create smooth transitions by naturally integrating connected points into your interpretation.

Emphasizing transparent relationships amidst diverse notions promotes consistency in flow, imparting stability even when altering wording or sequence within rewritten passages.

Focus on Syntax

To achieve satisfactory outcomes while rewording content requires attention to vocabulary and sentence structure – or syntax. Devoting the right amount of focus to sentence arrangement permits you to recreate ideas in fresh, distinct ways without plagiarizing the initial vocabulary. Below are their steps for altering syntax as part of your paraphrasing process:

• Change active voice constructs into passive ones (or vice versa) wherever appropriate.
• Switch around parts of paragraphing, ensuring logical development and clarity.
• Modify sentence length or construction to create variation without compromising comprehension.
• Maintain proper grammar usage throughout.

By incorporating alterations in syntax, you achieve a natural text flow that avoids duplicating pre-existing wording while preserving essential information-contributing elements towards a skillful paraphrase execution.

Tips for Effective Paraphrasing

If you’re wondering, “What is paraphrasing?” and how to effectively apply it in your writing practices. Hold tight as we venture into the riveting realm of rewording, showing you how a thread of ingenuity can weave simplicity and clarity from even the most tangled textual input

Rephrase Without Changing Meaning or Losing Context

Paraphrasing isn’t just about swapping words—It’s an artful ballet of retaining ideas while altering expressions. When you write a paraphrase, remember that your goal isn’t merely to create something different from the original text but to echo its essence through a new lens. Be careful not poke holes in this ‘essence-bubble’ by omitting crucial details or distorting themes – that’ll deflate your whole message!

To do this successfully, you need to comprehend what’s being conveyed deeply. Read attentively then give yourself a moment before crafting out your version—an approach that often presents fresh perspectives yet maintains alignment with the core idea.

Avoiding Word-for-Word substitutions or Synonyms

Yes, using synonyms is part of paraphrase in English; however, leaning heavily on them can lead us astray! Replacing every word with a synonym may change sentence syntax and semantic quality inadvertently leading to deviations from intended messaging making communication confusing.

Instead ensure you understand the context around each phrase or idiom so when you ‘reword’, meaningful continuity prevails. This method keeps both ‘content fidelity’ intact while beautifying discourse with diversity – much like adding various flavored spice rubs on savory roasts instead of plain salt!

Rearranging Sentence Structure And Using Different Sentence Patterns

When learning how to paraphrase, understanding varied sentence structures plays an instrumental role—the key here lies not in reinventing the wheel but simply modifying its rims.

Suppose consider turning declarative sentences into interrogative ones, passive phrases into active ones, complex sentences into easy-to-understand compound ones. Also don’t hesitate to break paragraph long statements into simpler individualized sentences ensuring tangle-free readability.

Properly Incorporating In-Text Citations Within Paraphrased Sentences

Citations form a cornerstone of ethical paraphrasing—an integral element differentiating the art of rephrasing from the sin of plagiarism. Remember, even your most creatively-crafted paraphrase demands exact credit attribution towards original authorship.

An exquisitely-woven tapestry of idea gathering and expression refinement can disintegrate in both reputation and relevance without correct citations. The process is simple: once you’ve concluded sharing your interpretation, provide an in-text citation as per your specific style guide (APA, MLA, etc.). This hones reworked text’s credibility while foregrounding due respect for source creators.

Referencing the Original Source Material in the Bibliography or Reference List

Even with paraphrasing deftly applied all through your piece; it’s vital to provide a complete reference list at its conclusion—think of it like honoring ‘behind-the-scenes’ brilliance illuminating every great performance on stage!

While this doesn’t involve putting words under transformation magic, it surely contributes to safeguard conceptual integrity via rightful acknowledgment. Include every referenced material meticulously; never unintentionally overlook any document at risk compromising content transparency and authority.

With these thoughtful tips at hand, you’re ready! Dive straight into mood-led interpretation, explore the expressive flexibility this technique offers–all while preserving core message accuracy. Embark on transforming mere pieces of text for paraphrasing; emerge weaving symphonies that ‘sing-speak’ distinctively yet harmoniously curation.

The Don’ts of Paraphrasing

• Don’t overuse direct quotes : Too many direct quotations make for a dull read. Try to balance quoting and paraphrasing instead, ensuring that both are used strategically throughout your work for optimal impact.
• Avoid using copy-pasting techniques : Directly copying text from a source and replacing just a few words will not constitute proper paraphrasing – this approach veers dangerously close to plagiarism territory.
• Steer clear of unnecessary wordiness : Avoid adding extra words or lengthy explanations during paraphrasing simply because it makes your piece appear more comprehensive – quality trumps quantity every time.
• Don’t change meaning : While rephrasing is a vital aspect of paraphrasing, be careful not to alter the intended idea conveyed by the source.
• Don’t rely solely on paraphrasing tools : While certain paraphrasing tools can be helpful, they should act as supplementary aids rather than primary resources. Overreliance on these technologies can lead to poorly constructed text and potential misunderstandings.

By following these guidelines for effective paraphrasing, you’ll be well on your way to producing engaging, informative pieces that retain essential information from your sources while conveying it in a refreshingly original manner. Always remember that the key to successful paraphrasing is striking an optimal balance between maintaining meaning and injecting your unique take on the material.

What is an Example of Paraphrasing?

Before diving into specific examples, let’s first revisit the meaning of paraphrasing. In essence, paraphrasing involves rewriting a passage or text in your own words without altering its original purpose. It’s important to note that merely replacing individual words with synonyms won’t suffice; instead, you must understand the core concepts and present them in a new way.

Now, let us examine a few instances where paraphrasing comes into play:

Original Text

“The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.”

Paraphrased Version

“The speedy tan-colored fox leaped across the sluggish canine.”

In this example, various techniques are employed to paraphrase the sentence effectively:

• Synonyms: “quick” has been replaced by “speedy,” “brown” by “tan-colored,” and “lazy” by “sluggish.”
• Change parts of speech: The verb “jumped” has been altered to “leaped.”
• Rearrange structure: Instead of saying “…the lazy dog,” we now have “…the sluggish canine.”

Another more complex example would be:

Original Text (Excerpt from  1984  by George Orwell)

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”

“On an April day marked by piercing chilliness, the clocks chimed their unusual thirteenth strike.”

In this instance, the paraphrase modifies significant elements but retains the key ideas:

• Understanding main concepts: The weather is mentioned as being both bright and cold.
• Use synonyms: Words such as “bright,” “cold,” and “striking” are changed to “piercing chilliness” and “chimed.”
• Focusing on syntax: The sentence structure has been shifted entirely yet still communicates identical information.

Original text

“To be or not to be—that is the question.” (William Shakespeare’s  Hamlet )

Considering whether one should exist remains the crucial inquiry.

In this example, we have rephrased a famous line from Shakespeare’s  Hamlet  using different words while maintaining its essence. Although the meaning stays intact, our paraphrased sentence uses a different vocabulary and structure.

Education is vital for personal development and career success because it provides individuals with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and adaptability needed in today’s complex world.

Paraphrased Version :

Acquiring education plays a crucial role in an individual’s growth and prosperity since it equips them with essential understanding, abilities, self-assurance, and flexibility required for navigating our intricate society.

In this instance, we preserved the importance of education while altering word choice and rearranging sentence structure.

Animals such as dogs can sense human emotions effectively, making them excellent companions who contribute positively to their owners’ mental health.

Emotional sensitivity of creatures like dogs results in great companionship that greatly benefits the psychological well-being of their caretakers.

By employing synonyms—like “creatures” instead of “animals”—and reordering phrases within the sentence—this example illustrates effective paraphrasing without changing the underlying meaning of the original statement about pets and their benefits.

For sustainable development and progress, countries need to adopt a more environmentally friendly approach to industrial production practices, such as using renewable energy sources, reducing pollutants emissions, and fostering a recycling culture.

To ensure stable growth, nations must embrace eco-friendly measures in their industries by incorporating clean energy alternatives, lowering contaminant output, and promoting recycling habits.

Again, we have maintained the key message about environmental responsibility while using different words and slightly revising the sentence structure for variation.

Remember that incorporating examples of paraphrasing into your work — without overusing direct quotes or committing plagiarism—is a valuable writing method. Following these instances can lead to mastery of this crucial skill set and ultimately elevate your writing prowess.

Avoid Plagiarism When You Paraphrase

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that can lead to severe consequences. Not only does it damage credibility and intellectual integrity, but it can also have lasting implications on your professional career or academic record. To avoid plagiarism while paraphrasing research papers, adhere to the following strategies and recommendations to give proper credit to the original author’s ideas.

Understand the Concept of Plagiarism

Before delving into how to avoid plagiarism when paraphrasing, it is crucial to understand what constitutes plagiarism. Essentially, it involves presenting someone else’s words, ideas, or work as one’s own without providing sufficient acknowledgment or providing evidence of citation. Remember that even unintentional instances of plagiarism are still considered problematic.

Cite Your Sources Appropriately

Ensure you properly cite all sources throughout your text by following the correct citation styles required (e.g., APA, MLA, Harvard). This includes citing both direct quotes and paraphrased material from other authors. Providing accurate citations helps clarify which portions of the text are yours and which originate from other sources.

Practice Proper Paraphrasing Techniques

Employ effective paraphrasing techniques that alter not just words but sentence structures too. Simply replacing synonyms or reordering sentences isn’t enough; instead, aim for a comprehensive approach:

• Use synonyms thoughtfully.
• Consider changing parts of speech.
• Rearrange structure within context.
• Add or remove relevant information if necessary.
• Always ensure the preservation of meaning found in the source material.

These practices will help create distinct content while still acknowledging the original idea.

Express content in your own voice

When paraphrasing, try reproducing the concept using your own writing style and voice instead of merely replicating patterns found in source texts. The resulting outcome should effectively communicate ideas within a broader context while showcasing understanding and empathy towards matters discussed.

Compare Original Text with Paraphrased Version

To avoid plagiarizing, compare your paraphrased version against the original and ensure there isn’t too much similarity in structure, key phrases, or ideas. This process helps safeguard against unintentional copying.

After paraphrasing a section, take a moment to cross-check with the original text. This step ensures that you have successfully put the idea across without duplicating any parts of the source’s wording or sentence structure.

Utilize Paraphrasing Tools with Caution

Although several online paraphrasing tools are available, rely on them sparingly as they may generate content that still resembles the original text or could risk changing the meaning entirely. Reviewing and refining generated output is crucial for producing an adequate final draft.

By considering these strategies while paraphrasing material, you can maintain originality and integrity throughout written work, avoiding plagiarism and fostering a deep understanding of subjects that reflect your voice.

Use Plagiarism Checker Tools

Leverage plagiarism checkers available online (e.g., Turnitin, Grammarly) to confirm your content’s uniqueness. These tools help identify similarities between your work and other existing material.

Difference Between Paraphrasing and Summarizing

As you explore the world of rewording and restructuring text, you may wonder how paraphrasing differs from summarizing. Both techniques involve rephrasing text sections or conveying information from a source in your own words. However, there are distinct differences between these two methods, mainly concerning their purposes, scope, and length. This section will delve into the key distinctions between paraphrasing and summarizing.

Both paraphrasing and summarizing convey another author’s ideas accurately without using their original wording. But their primary objectives differ:

• Paraphrasing  aims to rewrite a specific part of the source material more clearly or concisely while preserving its essential meaning and structure.
• Summarizing  involves distilling a more significant passage or even an entire work into its most important points or ideas.

The target material is another aspect that differentiates these two techniques:

• When  paraphrasing , you focus on rendering a relatively small text—an idea, sentence, phrase, or paragraph—in your own words.
• During  summarizing , you condense broader segments, such as chapters or whole articles, into brief overviews that capture the gist of the content.

Length is also a crucial factor when distinguishing between paraphrasing and summarization:

• A successful  paraphrase  should not considerably alter the original passage’s word count—it may be slightly longer or shorter than the original text but remains close in length overall.
• A good  summary , by contrast, must be notably shorter than the source materials; it presents only core concepts without getting bogged down in details or examples.

Now that we’ve highlighted these critical differences—purpose, scope, and length—you can more easily recognize when to use each technique based on your intended goal within academic writing tasks or other communication contexts. Essentially,  paraphrasing  is the reworking of specific content to clarify its meaning or convey it more effectively, while  summarizing  is a condensed version that briefly covers the main ideas in a broader text.

Difference Between Paraphrasing and Quoting

Understanding the differences between paraphrasing and quoting is essential for effective communication in both written and spoken language. These two methods of incorporating sources into your work have distinct purposes, benefits, and limitations.

Paraphrasing: A Brief Recap

As discussed earlier, paraphrasing involves rewording and rewriting a text or speech to interpret the source while maintaining its meaning accurately. When paraphrasing, you translate someone’s ideas using your own words but give them credit by acknowledging the original quote and author. This ensures that you:

• Exhibit a deeper understanding of the material
• Avoid plagiarism
• Synthesize information effectively
• Improve word choice and sentence structure

Quoting: An Overview

On the other hand, quoting refers to using the exact words from a source verbatim within quotation marks to support arguments or provide evidence in your work. When quoting a text or speech, it’s crucial to maintain accuracy and cite your sources correctly so that readers can trace the information back to the original document. Utilizing quotes is beneficial when:

• The original wording has a significant impact on understanding
• The writer or speaker has unique authority on a topic
• The phrasing conveys distinctive eloquence or persuasiveness

Paraphrasing vs Quoting

Now that we’ve outlined both techniques, let’s delve into their differences.

• Wording : While paraphrasing restructures an idea using different language, quoting retains the exact words in the original text.
• Purpose : Paraphrasing demonstrates understanding and engagement with a topic by expressing it through personal language choices; however, quoting aims at providing direct evidence from reputable authorities to validate claims.
• Length : As paraphrases condense extensive knowledge into digestible readouts without altering meaning significantly, utilizing quotes often requires context establishment due to word-for-word replication.
• Flexibility : Paraphrasing provides greater freedom for incorporating diverse perspectives, enabling writers to synthesize information seamlessly. Quoting, conversely, involves direct adherence to the original text while actively justifying its contribution within a larger context.
• Citations : Both techniques require citations to avoid plagiarism. However, quotes demand precise records of exact wording and page numbers – whereas paraphrasing accounts for general source references.

Understanding the differences between paraphrasing and quoting is crucial for effective research and proficient writing skills. Use these techniques purposefully depending on the situation: paraphrase to convey comprehension and adapt material fittingly or quote verbatim when an author’s language proves critical for supporting arguments.

Paraphrasing FAQs

Is paraphrasing just using different words?

Paraphrasing is not merely changing the words in a text. It involves understanding the original message, then presenting the same idea in your own words while maintaining the core meaning. When paraphrasing, you might change the sentence structure and use synonyms. Still, your main goal should always be to communicate effectively while maintaining crucial information from the source material.

How do You Paraphrase a Sentence?

To paraphrase a sentence effectively, follow these steps:

• Read and understand the original sentence thoroughly.
• Identify and note down the most important points or ideas.
• Begin crafting your sentence using different words that convey similar meanings (use synonyms).
• Change parts of speech as necessary to fit within your new sentence structure.
• Rearrange elements of the sentence to enhance readability or flow.
• Review your new sentence for accuracy by ensuring it conveys the same meaning as the original.
• Edit for grammar and punctuation.

What Makes a Good Paraphrase?

A good paraphrase should meet these criteria:

• Accurately captures the essence of the original text without altering its meaning
• Uses significantly different wording and structure from the source material
• Integrates seamlessly into your writing style, with proper grammar and punctuation
• Acknowledges and cites its source to avoid plagiarism

Paraphrasing vs. Quoting and Summarizing

Paraphrasing, quoting, and summarizing all serve unique purposes in conveying information from sources:

• Paraphrasing  enables you to express someone else’s thoughts or ideas using your own words while maintaining their intended meaning. It focuses on specific passages or details from a source without using quotation marks around copied phrases.
• Quoting  involves copying an author’s exact words while enclosing them within quotation marks when incorporating them into your work. A quote retains both language and syntax used by the author and should be employed sparingly for maximum impact.
• Summarizing  involves briefly summarizing the source’s main points or ideas. A summary condenses the original material into a shorter format, highlighting critical aspects without copying exact wording or structure.

What are various types of paraphrasing?

There are different approaches to paraphrasing depending on your needs and desired outcomes:

• Concept-driven paraphrasing : Involves focusing on understanding and conveying the core concepts of the original text.
• Structure-based paraphrasing : Requires restructuring sentences while maintaining their core meaning. This can include changing word order or simplifying complex sentence structures.
• Language-focused paraphrasing : Emphasizes changes in vocabulary by replacing words with synonyms or using different parts of speech.
• Integrative paraphrasing : Combines multiple strategies (concept-driven, structure-based, and language-focused) to create well-rounded rewording that closely mimics the original text’s meaning but uses new language and syntax.

Each type of paraphrase serves unique purposes depending on your goals, such as improving clarity or incorporating expert insights into your writing more effectively.

Importance of Using Paraphrases

Paraphrasing is an essential skill in various fields, and incorporating this technique into your writing has several benefits. This section will delve into the importance of using paraphrasing to improve communication, refine critical thinking skills, foster learning, maintain originality, and avoid plagiarism.

Enhance Communication Skills

Integrating paraphrasing into your repertoire can significantly improve your communication abilities. By rewording complex or technical concepts into more accessible language, you can convey ideas effectively to a broader audience. Furthermore, effective paraphrasing promotes active listening and fosters better understanding among individuals with different backgrounds or levels of expertise.

Develop Critical Thinking Skills

Paraphrasing requires a deep comprehension of the source material, as you must first understand the author’s intent before translating their ideas into your own words. This process helps refine critical thinking abilities by encouraging you to analyze information critically and discern its essential aspects.

Foster Learning and Retention

Implementing paraphrasing techniques allows for concise content digestion when engaging with new material. Restating concepts in your own words reinforces memory retention by encouraging active involvement with the subject matter rather than passive absorption.

Maintain Originality

Incorporating paraphrased content into your writing ensures that it remains fresh and distinctive. By conveying unique interpretations of previously discussed ideas or presenting common notions from a novel perspective, you can make your work stand out amongst similar texts.

Prevent Plagiarism

Lastly —and perhaps most crucially— utilizing accurate paraphrasing prevents plagiarism within your work. Rewording passages while preserving their original meaning demonstrates intellectual integrity by crediting source authors for their insights without directly copying their phrasing. Avoiding plagiarism is imperative because it maintains academic honesty and enables personal growth through independent engagement with the source material.

Paraphrasing in Literature and Pop Culture

Paraphrasing plays a crucial role in academic writing, professional fields, literature, and pop culture. In these creative domains, paraphrasing is often applied to convey similar ideas or emotions while presenting them uniquely. Let’s explore various instances of paraphrasing within the realms of literature and popular culture.

Retellings and Adaptations

One noticeable manifestation of paraphrasing in literature can be found in retellings or adaptations of classic tales and stories. Modern authors craft their versions of well-known narratives by using different techniques such as:

• Altering perspectives (e.g., Gregory Maguire’s  Wicked , which provides an alternative viewpoint on the story from  The Wizard of Oz )
• Changing settings (e.g., Shakespeare’s modernized renderings like Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation of  Romeo + Juliet )
• Modifying characters (e.g., gender-swapped versions like Stephenie Meyer’s  Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined )

These variations turn familiar stories into fresh creations through reworded descriptions, altered contexts, or revamped plots.

Song Covers and Remixes

In music, paraphrasis becomes evident through song covers and remixes. Artists perform renowned tracks with personalized renditions that showcase their distinctive styles while retaining the original melody or lyrics. Here are some examples:

• Marilyn Manson’s version of “Sweet Dreams,” originally by Eurythmics
• Johnny Cash’s cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.”
• Postmodern Jukebox’s vintage twist on contemporary hits like Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop.”

Through unique reinterpretations, musicians keep the essence of well-loved songs alive for new audiences while adding their creative flair.

Parodies in Film and Television

Another paraphrasing application is seen within parodies across film and television, primarily through witty or satirical takes on well-known movies or TV shows. Examples include:

• Airplane! , a parody of disaster films like  Airport
• Young Frankenstein , Mel Brooks’ comedic spin on Mary Shelley’s classic
• “Weird Al” Yankovic’s song parodies that ingeniously adapt lyrics to make listeners laugh

These artistic expressions rely on audiences recognizing the original content while appreciating the humorous twist skilled creators provide.

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Table of Contents

• 1 What is paraphrasing?
• 2 Purpose of Paraphrasing
• 3 The process of paraphrasing, step by step
• 4 Different Strategies for Paraphrasing
• 5 Tips for Effective Paraphrasing
• 6 What is an Example of Paraphrasing?
• 7 Avoid Plagiarism When You Paraphrase
• 8 Difference Between Paraphrasing and Summarizing
• 9 Difference Between Paraphrasing and Quoting
• 10 Paraphrasing FAQs
• 11 Importance of Using Paraphrases
• 12 Paraphrasing in Literature and Pop Culture

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a restatement of a text or passage giving the meaning in another form, as for clearness; rewording.

the act or process of restating or rewording.

to render the meaning of in a paraphrase: to paraphrase a technical paper for lay readers.

to make a paraphrase or paraphrases.

Origin of paraphrase

Synonym study for paraphrase, other words for paraphrase, other words from paraphrase.

• par·a·phras·a·ble, adjective
• par·a·phras·er, noun
• mis·par·a·phrase, verb, mis·par·a·phrased, mis·par·a·phras·ing.
• un·par·a·phrased, adjective

Words Nearby paraphrase

• paraphase amplifier
• paraphernalia
• paraphimosis
• paraphrasis
• paraphrastic
• paraphyletic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use paraphrase in a sentence

When Obsessive Loser Duncan Stevens suggested examples for this contest — one of several Shakespeare-centered challenges he’s proposed — I told him that I wanted to stick to modern paraphrases, rather than taking him humorously out of context.

To paraphrase Peter Tosh, if Illinois were to legalize it, would you advertise it?

To paraphrase the renegade philosopher Hannibal, I love it when science comes together.

To paraphrase Fox Friends, don't get caught beating women on camera and you're safe to play in the NFL.

Barry Goldwater is not the sort of man you might expect Stephen F. Cohen to paraphrase .

To paraphrase the great John Oliver, listen up, fellow self-pitying nerd boys—we are not the victims here.

A man may weep and weep, to paraphrase Shakespeare, "and be a villain!"

The omissions are the most sensible that I have found in a paraphrase .

This is not paraphrase ; it is sheer misapprehension of the Old English.

As the language in which it is written is not easily intelligible, I have added a paraphrase on the opposite pages.

Instead of "Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion," we have the paraphrase , "That maketh and transformeth all things."

British Dictionary definitions for paraphrase

/ ( ˈpærəˌfreɪz ) /

an expression of a statement or text in other words, esp in order to clarify

the practice of making paraphrases

to put (something) into other words; restate (something)

Derived forms of paraphrase

• paraphrastic ( ˌpærəˈfræstɪk ), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for paraphrase

A restatement of speech or writing that retains the basic meaning while changing the words. A paraphrase often clarifies the original statement by putting it into words that are more easily understood.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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What's a paraphrasing tool?

This AI-powered paraphraser lets you rewrite text in your own words. Use it to  paraphrase articles, essays, and other pieces of text. You can also use it to rephrase sentences and find synonyms for individual words. And the best part? It’s all 100% free!

What's paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing involves expressing someone else’s ideas or thoughts in your own words while maintaining the original meaning. Paraphrasing tools can help you quickly reword text by replacing certain words with synonyms or restructuring sentences. They can also make your text more concise, clear, and suitable for a specific audience. Paraphrasing is an essential skill in academic writing and professional communication. 

Why use this paraphrasing tool?

• Save time: Gone are the days when you had to reword sentences yourself; now you can rewrite a text or a complete text with one click.
•  Improve your writing: Your writing will always be clear and easy to understand. Automatically ensure consistent language throughout. 
• Preserve original meaning: Paraphrase without fear of losing the point of your text.
• No annoying ads: We care about the user experience, so we don’t run any ads.
• Accurate: Reliable and grammatically correct paraphrasing.
• No sign-up required: We don’t need your data for you to use our paraphrasing tool.
• Super simple to use: A simple interface even your grandma could use.
• It’s 100% free: No hidden costs, just unlimited use of a free paraphrasing tool.

Features of the paraphrasing tool

Rephrase individual sentences

With the Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool, you can easily reformulate individual sentences.

• Write varied headlines
• Rephrase the subject line of an email
• Create unique image captions

Paraphrase a whole text

Our paraphraser can also help with longer passages (up to 125 words per input). Upload your document or copy your text into the input field.

With one click, you can reformulate the entire text.

Find synonyms with ease

Simply click on any word to open the interactive thesaurus.

• Choose from a list of suggested synonyms
• Find the synonym with the most appropriate meaning
• Replace the word with a single click

Paraphrase in two ways

• Standard: Offers a compromise between modifying and preserving the meaning of the original text
• Fluency: Improves language and corrects grammatical mistakes.

Upload different types of documents

Upload any Microsoft Word document, Google Doc, or PDF into the paraphrasing tool.

Download or copy your results

After you’re done, you can easily download or copy your text to use somewhere else.

Powered by AI

The paraphrasing tool uses natural language processing to rewrite any text you give it. This way, you can paraphrase any text within seconds.

Avoid accidental plagiarism

Want to make sure your document is plagiarism-free? In addition to our paraphrasing tool, which will help you rephrase sentences, quotations, or paragraphs correctly, you can also use our anti-plagiarism software to make sure your document is unique and not plagiarized.

Scribbr’s anti-plagiarism software enables you to:

• Detect plagiarism more accurately than other tools
• Ensure that your paraphrased text is valid
• Highlight the sources that are most similar to your text

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How does this paraphrasing tool work?

1. put your text into the paraphraser, 2. select your method of paraphrasing, 3. select the quantity of synonyms you want, 4. edit your text where needed, who can use this paraphrasing tool.

Paraphrasing tools can help students to understand texts and improve the quality of their writing. 

Create original lesson plans, presentations, or other educational materials.

Researchers

Explain complex concepts or ideas to a wider audience. 

Journalists

Quickly and easily rephrase text to avoid repetitive language.

Copywriters

By using a paraphrasing tool, you can quickly and easily rework existing content to create something new and unique.

Bloggers can rewrite existing content to make it their own.

Writers who need to rewrite content, such as adapting an article for a different context or writing content for a different audience.

A paraphrasing tool lets you quickly rewrite your original content for each medium, ensuring you reach the right audience on each platform.

The all-purpose paraphrasing tool

The Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool is the perfect assistant in a variety of contexts.

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Writer’s block? Use our paraphraser to get some inspiration.

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Produce creative headings for your blog posts or PowerPoint slides.

Academic writing

Paraphrase sources smoothly in your thesis or research paper.

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Craft memorable captions and content for your social media posts.

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The Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool lets you rewrite as many sentences as you want—for free.

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Frequently asked questions

The act of putting someone else’s ideas or words into your own words is called paraphrasing, rephrasing, or rewording. Even though they are often used interchangeably, the terms can mean slightly different things:

Paraphrasing is restating someone else’s ideas or words in your own words while retaining their meaning. Paraphrasing changes sentence structure, word choice, and sentence length to convey the same meaning.

Rephrasing may involve more substantial changes to the original text, including changing the order of sentences or the overall structure of the text.

Rewording is changing individual words in a text without changing its meaning or structure, often using synonyms.

It can. One of the two methods of paraphrasing is called “Fluency.” This will improve the language and fix grammatical errors in the text you’re paraphrasing.

Paraphrasing and using a paraphrasing tool aren’t cheating. It’s a great tool for saving time and coming up with new ways to express yourself in writing.  However, always be sure to credit your sources. Avoid plagiarism.  

If you don’t properly cite text paraphrased from another source, you’re plagiarizing. If you use someone else’s text and paraphrase it, you need to credit the original source. You can do that by using citations. There are different styles, like APA, MLA, Harvard, and Chicago. Find more information about citing sources here.

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 cite the source . This means including an in-text citation and a full reference, formatted according to your required citation style .

As well as citing, 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 in 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 in your own words and properly cite the source .

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Definition of 'paraphrase'

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paraphrase in British English

Paraphrase in american english, examples of 'paraphrase' in a sentence paraphrase, trends of paraphrase.

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In other languages paraphrase

• American English : paraphrase / ˈpærəfreɪz /
• Brazilian Portuguese : parafrasear
• Chinese : 释义
• European Spanish : parafrasear
• French : paraphraser
• German : umschreiben
• Italian : parafrasare
• Japanese : 別の言葉で言い換える
• Korean : 다른 말로 바꿔서 설명하다
• European Portuguese : parafrasear
• Latin American Spanish : parafrasear
• Brazilian Portuguese : paráfrase
• Chinese : 改述
• European Spanish : paráfrasis
• French : paraphrase
• German : Umschreibung
• Italian : parafrasi
• Japanese : 言い換え
• Korean : 다른 말로 바꿔서 설명한 것
• European Portuguese : paráfrase
• Latin American Spanish : paráfrasis

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(Definition of paraphrase from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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to add harmonies to a tune

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Maybe you're stuck writing an essay, crafting a creative story, or even just trying to explain your point in a conversation. Well, say goodbye to repetitive writing and hello to Paraphrasing Tool, your new best friend for expressing yourself clearly and creatively! What is Paraphrasing Tool? Forget about the days of thesauruses and clunky online rewriters. Paraphrasing Tool is a free app that uses cutting-edge technology to help you rephrase text in your own words. That's right, no more robotic-sounding sentences or awkward grammar. This powerful tool understands the nuances of language and helps you find fresh, natural-sounding alternatives for any phrase or sentence. Why is it for you? A student tired of rewriting the same ideas in different assignments? A writer looking for inspiration and variety in your stories, poems, or articles? A casual learner exploring new concepts and wanting to express your understanding differently? Anyone who wants to communicate effectively and avoid repetitive language? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then [Paraphrasing Tool] is for you! It's perfect for users 13 and above, making it a valuable tool for students, writers, and anyone who wants to enhance their communication skills. How does it work? Type or paste your text. Whether it's a sentence, paragraph, or even a whole document, Paraphrasing Tool can handle it.Tap the "Paraphrase" button. Within seconds, you'll see several different ways to rewrite your text, using synonyms, changing sentence structures, and maintaining the original meaning. Choose the paraphrase you like best. You can even compare different options to find the perfect fit for your needs. And that's it! You now have fresh, unique ways to express yourself without sacrificing clarity or meaning. While the basic paraphrasing feature is free, Paraphrasing Tool offers premium features for those who need even more control and flexibility. With Premium you can: Paraphrase longer texts: Rewrite entire essays, stories, or reports with ease. Unlock more unique paraphrases: Get even more options to choose from for truly individualized results. Adjust style and tone: Make your paraphrased text more formal, informal, creative, or whatever suits your needs. Ready to unleash your voice with Paraphrasing Tool? Download the free app today and start exploring the power of language in a whole new way! Note: The price for each plan may vary according to the country from where a user gets subscribed. The actual cost of the plan may get converted to the currency of the country you’re residing in. Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current subscription period. Automatic renewals will cost the same price you were originally charged for the subscription. You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Read our terms of service and Privacy Policy for more information. Privacy policy: https://www.contentarcade.com/privacy Terms of use: https://www.contentarcade.com/terms

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