reword

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "reword" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are restating something in different terms. Example: "I would like to reword my previous statement to make it more accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Where avoiding distracting or annoying such people is paramount in your writing, the best solution is to reword, putting things in the plural to go round the choice.

The Economist

They called on supporters to opt for an adjournment in the hope it will pile pressure on senior clergy to abandon – or significantly reword – the offending amendments.

Independent

Whereas Reed suggested that the Party might reword the plank while remaining staunchly pro-life, Bay made it clear that any such attempt would be met with bitter resistance.

The New Yorker

Every weekend during the two lecture seasons (fall and spring), I pull out last week's speech and reword it: go over it line by line, searching out anachronisms; insert fresh material, add or subtract a proposition, decide which contentions to analyze at colleges, which at business meetings or civic associations.

The New Yorker

But, like O'Brien, I had signed that no-quoting agreement, and so when I came to write about this, I, too, had to reword Cather's sentence.

The New Yorker

Please reword.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Now it has been subtly reworded to "many years ago", and peace reigns.For Mr Doron, in fact, religious strictures are a boon.

The Economist

In 2014 changes in NHIS questions about ASD, including rewording and expansion for greater detail, were associated with a subsequent increase in parent-reported diagnoses of ASDs in children.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a result, any rewording of a poem's language alters its content, a view articulated in the phrase "the heresy of paraphrase," which was coined by Brooks in his The Well Wrought Urn (1947).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The quote I've ascribed to an imaginary candidate is a slight rewording of Russell Brand's explanation for his decision to edit an issue of the New Statesman; the "beautiful woman" who asked him is, I assume, the paper's associate editor and current Brand love interest (for want of a better phrase), Jemima Khan.

Independent

E.13. - You agree to the Company, at its sole discretion, publishing rewording or categorising Contributions, whether by means of ranking them according to their popularity or by any other criteria.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, use "reword" to indicate a change in expression without altering the core meaning. Be mindful to maintain the original intent.

Common error

Avoid rewording for the sake of rewording. If the original statement is clear and concise, unnecessary changes can introduce ambiguity. Ensure the "rewording" enhances clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

"Reword" primarily functions as a transitive verb, indicating the action of changing the wording of something. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts where clarification or alteration of language is necessary.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reword" is a versatile verb used to express the action of changing the wording of a statement. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically sound and commonly used, especially in News & Media contexts. Alternatives like "rephrase" or "revise the wording" offer similar meanings, but "reword" is best used when aiming for clarity without drastically altering the original intent. The key to effective rewording is to enhance precision and avoid introducing unnecessary complexity. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, writers can confidently use "reword" to improve their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rephrase

Similar meaning, emphasizing a slight change in expression.

change the wording

Directly refers to changing the words.

revise the wording

More explicit about the revision of the words used.

alter the phrasing

Focuses on changing the way something is expressed.

modify the language

Highlights changing the specific words used.

rewrite

Suggests a more substantial change in writing.

edit the text

Focuses on editing, implying refinement.

reformulate

Implies restructuring the statement.

restructure the sentence

Focuses on changing the sentence structure.

put it differently

Informal way of saying something in a new way.

FAQs

How can I use "reword" in a sentence?

You can use "reword" to indicate changing the wording of a statement. For example, "The editor asked the author to "reword the sentence" for clarity".

What is a good alternative for "reword"?

Alternatives to "reword" include "rephrase", "revise the wording", or "modify the language", depending on the context.

Is it better to "reword" or "rewrite" a paragraph?

"Reword" suggests minor changes to improve clarity, while "rewrite" implies a more substantial revision of the entire paragraph.

When should I "reword" something?

You should "reword" something when the original wording is unclear, ambiguous, or could be misinterpreted. Aim to "reword for clarity" and precision.