To rephrase it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To rephrase it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the intention of restating something in different words for clarity or emphasis. Example: "To rephrase it, the main point of the discussion is that we need to improve our communication strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

To rephrase, it is an indicator of how active user a is in a particular area of expertise compared to the most active C A a C i = C a i max C u i (5.3).

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

To rephrase it, do non-chiral isomers that are spared the mutually exclusive fight between their L- and D-forms get a competitive advantage over their chiral counterparts?

Biology Direct

MR. WISENBERG: I'll be happy to rephrase it.

The New York Times

"If you want to rephrase it would be, I truly wish there was drug testing," he said.

The New York Times

The question asked of him last Tuesday was too naked, too raw, and the person who had posed it immediately wished for the chance to rephrase it somehow.

The New York Times

The girl said the Times couldn't print the ad; The Times assumes that everybody has a soul, so he'd have to rephrase it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Remember be positive... instead of saying what you want to stop, rephrase it to what you want to see more of.

WikiHow

If there is an objection to overcome, rephrase it, but never call your idea strange, weird, small, uninteresting or any other negative — even if you are going to explain why that's really not the case.

The New York Times

Only now I would rephrase it to say "bipartisanship starts at disaster's edge".

The New York Times

We're people or persons or just 'the public' — or you should rephrase it to avoid the cliché".

The Times

But if we rephrase it to claim that we live in the least worst of all logically possible worlds, and one which we can hope to improve, it has a certain plausibility.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "To rephrase it" when you want to clarify a complex statement or provide a different perspective for better understanding. It's particularly useful in situations where the original wording might be ambiguous or confusing.

Common error

Avoid using "To rephrase it" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "in other words" or "to put it differently".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "To rephrase it" functions as an infinitive phrase that serves as a discourse marker. It signals the speaker's or writer's intention to present a concept or statement in a different way. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English, indicating its role in enhancing clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "To rephrase it" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the intention of restating something for clarity or emphasis. As Ludwig underlines, it is correct and widely used across varied sources, including news, science, and general writing. It functions as an infinitive phrase that serves as a discourse marker, and it improves clarity by offering alternative wording. While the phrase is common, varying language with alternatives like "in other words" or "to put it differently" is encouraged to avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To put it differently

Focuses on offering an alternative explanation or perspective.

In other words

Highlights the intention to explain something in a simpler or more direct manner.

To reword it

Emphasizes the act of changing the words used to express an idea.

Let me rephrase

Suggests an immediate correction or restatement of a previous statement.

To express it differently

Highlights the variation in the way something is conveyed.

To state it another way

Focuses on offering a different formulation or presentation of the same information.

To clarify

Implies the intention to make something easier to understand.

To put it more simply

Highlights that the new phrase will be more simple to understand.

To explain further

Indicates the intention to elaborate or provide more detail.

To phrase it alternatively

Highlights the use of a different wording or style.

FAQs

How can I use "To rephrase it" in a sentence?

You can use "To rephrase it" to introduce a clearer or simpler explanation of something you've already said. For instance, "The data suggests a correlation, but it's not causation. To rephrase it, we can't definitively say one causes the other."

What are some alternatives to "To rephrase it"?

Alternatives include "in other words", "to put it differently", or "to clarify". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "To rephrase it" in formal writing?

Yes, "To rephrase it" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when clarity is essential. However, in highly formal contexts, consider using more sophisticated alternatives such as "to restate" or "to reformulate".

What's the difference between "To rephrase it" and "In other words"?

"To rephrase it" generally indicates a rewording for clarity, while "in other words" often suggests a simpler or more direct explanation. The distinction is subtle, and they are often interchangeable.