rephrase this question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rephrase this question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to restate a question in different words for clarity or better understanding. Example: "Could you please rephrase this question so that it's easier to understand?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I would like to rephrase this question in much simpler terms to make things easier.

Yale University

Using this earlier study of CASRS, one could rephrase this question as: what chemical fragments exist in chemical structures today that did not exist then?

Journal of Cheminformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Rephrasing this question was suggested before including it into the final tool.

BMC Public Health

So let me rephrase the question.

The New York Times - Magazine

So, I rephrase the question: are you smarter than a Singaporean 14-year-old?

The Guardian

I rephrase the question, would he like to appear in a Marvel film in the future?

Independent

Maybe we need to rephrase that question: what is it about the grain-based staples most of us are eating that could be causing population-wide digestive difficulties?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When he was asked, toward the end of lunch, where he thought computing might be headed, he paused to rephrase the question.

The New York Times - Science

I rephrase the question a few times -- but he knows what I'm getting at, and resists this notion of killing, which is the duty of a pacifistic man.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I prefer to rephrase the question as, 'Where do those emotional relationships go?' It doesn't make sense that they disappear".

The New York Times - Arts

"Give the interviewer the benefit of the doubt and ask them to rephrase the question or elaborate," Walker advises.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "rephrase this question", be specific about what aspect needs clarification. For example, mention if the terminology is unclear or if the question is too broad.

Common error

Avoid immediately asking someone to "rephrase this question" without first attempting to understand it yourself. Showing genuine effort to comprehend the original question can foster better communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rephrase this question" serves as an imperative request. It directs someone to reformulate a question, often for the purpose of improved clarity or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. Examples show it commonly used in scenarios needing clarification or simplification.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rephrase this question" is a grammatically correct and usable request for clarification, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While not extremely common, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic discussions. The request aims to enhance understanding and overcome ambiguity, prompting a speaker to reformulate their question. Consider specifying your reasoning for requesting a rephrase to ensure maximum clarity. Alternatives like "reword this question" or ""clarify this question"" offer similar ways to seek a clearer articulation of the query.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reword this question

Changes the verb from 'rephrase' to 'reword', emphasizing altering the words used.

restate this question

Focuses on saying the question again, but in a different manner.

restructure this question

Focuses on changing the structure of the question for better understanding.

reformulate this question

Suggests a more formal and complete change in the question's expression.

put this question differently

Offers a less formal way to ask for the question to be presented in another way.

ask this question another way

Similar to 'put this question differently', but emphasizes the act of asking.

simplify this question

Focuses specifically on making the question easier to understand.

clarify this question

Asks for the question to be made clearer, potentially involving more explanation.

recast this question

Implies reshaping the question into a new form.

reframe this question

Suggests changing the perspective or context of the question.

FAQs

How can I ask someone to clarify a question without saying "rephrase this question"?

You can use alternatives such as "Could you "reword this question"?", "Can you "clarify this question" for me?", or "Could you explain what you mean by...?"

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

It's appropriate when the question is unclear, ambiguous, or uses terminology you don't understand. It ensures you're both on the same page for a more effective conversation.

Is "rephrase this question" a polite way to ask for clarification?

Yes, it's generally polite, but adding a reason can make it even more considerate. For example, "Could you "rephrase this question"? I'm not sure I understand the terminology."

What's the difference between "rephrase this question" and "simplify this question"?

"Rephrase this question" asks for the question to be stated in different words. "Simplify this question" specifically requests that the question be made easier to understand, potentially by using simpler language or breaking it down.