rephrase it

USAGE SUMMARY

? The phrase "rephrase it" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when someone wants another person to express the same idea or message using different words or phrasing. Example: "I don't understand what you're trying to say. Can you please rephrase it for me?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Let me rephrase it one last time: Every living thing is hermetically sealed in its own Voocule, isolated and forever alone.

Huffington Post

Let me rephrase it.

The New York Times - Sports

"Let's rephrase it.

The Guardian

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

The Economist

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

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

He ingeniously takes away familiar theatrical vocabulary and rephrases it.

The Guardian

He whispers the last sentence, then rephrases it.

The Guardian - Arts

(He rephrased it this time as "some drift in the relationship" between the United States and Afghanistan).

The New York Times

"What are those for?" Maybe rephrasing it would get me the response I needed.

The New York Times

There was the refusal or inability to process the simplest statement without rephrasing it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rephrase it" when you need someone to express something in a clearer or more understandable way.

Common error

While "rephrase it" is perfectly acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "paraphrase it" or "restate it" in academic or professional contexts to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rephrase it" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to express something differently. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rephrase it" is a grammatically sound and frequently used imperative, primarily employed to request clarification or a different formulation of a statement. As evidenced by the examples found by Ludwig, it's versatile across various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While it's considered generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "paraphrase it" or "restate it" might be preferred in certain academic or professional environments. Ludwig confirms that it is often used when there is need for better undestanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paraphrase it

Focuses on expressing the same meaning using different words, often to simplify or clarify.

restate it

Emphasizes repeating the information in a different manner, potentially for emphasis or to ensure comprehension.

rephrase the question

Specifically targets a modification of a questions.

reword it

Highlights changing the specific words used while maintaining the same overall message.

put it differently

Suggests a more significant change in the way the information is presented or framed.

express it another way

Highlights the use of diverse expressive techniques to communicate the same core idea.

reframe it

Focuses on altering the perspective or context through which information is presented.

reformulate it

Suggests a more formal or structured approach to revising the original statement.

alter the wording

Specifically targets a modification of the exact words that are used.

clarify the statement

Concentrates specifically on making statement more clear and easy to understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "rephrase it" when asking someone to express something again in a different way, often for clarity. For example, "I didn't understand your explanation; could you please "rephrase it"?"

What's a formal alternative to "rephrase it"?

In formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "paraphrase it", "restate it", or "reformulate it" to maintain a professional tone.

When is it appropriate to ask someone to "rephrase it"?

It's appropriate to ask someone to "rephrase it" when you find their statement confusing, unclear, or difficult to understand. It encourages them to express the same idea using different words or a different structure.

What's the difference between "rephrase it" and "explain it again"?

"Rephrase it" specifically asks for the statement to be worded differently, while "explain it again" simply requests another explanation, which may or may not involve changing the phrasing. "Rephrase it" focuses on the words used, while explaining again focuses on the content.