rephrase

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rephrase" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of expressing something in different words. For example: I couldn't understand what you said, so could you please rephrase it?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His windows of lucidity are shrinking; loyal minders frequently rephrase his words so they make sense.

The Economist

We would rephrase that today to: recognition and machismo (in the sense of an adventurous spirit) are now often the basis for exotic discovery.

The Economist

I had hardly begun preparing it when she was calling and asking me if it was all right to rephrase bits of the dialogue.

The Economist

But Republican participations is crucial to the deal and the Blair government is banking on Mr Trimble's ability to rephrase his demands.

The Economist

Some readers may be shocked by this statement, so let's rephrase it.

The Economist

When it comes to taxing companies, a modern finance minister might rephrase this as "the largest possible amount of revenue with the smallest possible amount of economic and political damage".Studies have shown that high corporate-tax rates discourage business investment and entrepreneurship, and countries that try to squeeze their firms too hard often have larger black (or informal) economies.

The Economist

Let's rephrase that.

The Economist

Well, not drop; I'll rephrase that.

The Economist

Let me rephrase that.

The New York Times

If vectors are represented by 1 × 3 (or 3 × 1) matrices consisting of the components (x1,x3, x3) of the vectors, it is possible to rephrase formulas (7) through (9) in the language of matrices.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She said she also likes to ask about weaknesses, but if the candidate doesn't give a real, honest answer, she'll rephrase the question: "What are you genuinely bad at?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rephrase" when you want to clarify or simplify a statement for better understanding. For example, if feedback is unclear, ask someone to "rephrase" their comments.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "rephrase" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "reformulate" or "restate" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rephrase" is as a verb, indicating the action of expressing something in an alternative way. As Ludwig AI explains, the verb is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "rephrase" is a versatile verb used to indicate the act of expressing something again in a different way, often for clarity or correction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently employed across various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider synonyms like "restate" or "reformulate" for highly formal writing. Remember, the goal of "rephrasing" is to enhance understanding, so choose your words wisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reword

Focuses on changing the specific words used.

restate

Emphasizes presenting something again in a different manner.

paraphrase

Implies explaining something in simpler terms.

express differently

Highlights the act of conveying the same idea using alternative wording.

put another way

Suggests offering an alternative explanation or perspective.

word differently

Focuses specifically on altering the choice of words used.

reformulate

Implies a more structured or formal rewording.

recast

Suggests changing the form or style of the expression.

clarify

Focuses on making something easier to understand through rewording.

elucidate

Implies making something clearer through detailed explanation and rewording.

FAQs

How to use "rephrase" in a sentence?

You can use "rephrase" when you want to express something in different words. For example: I didn't understand the question, could you please "rephrase" it?

What can I say instead of "rephrase"?

You can use alternatives like "reword", "restate", or "paraphrase" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "rephrase" or "re-phrase"?

"Rephrase" is the correct spelling. The hyphenated form "re-phrase" is less common and generally not preferred.

What's the difference between "rephrase" and "rewrite"?

"Rephrase" means to express something again in a different way, often to clarify or simplify. "Rewrite" implies a more substantial revision, potentially altering the content or structure significantly.