to rephrase it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to rephrase it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to express something in different words or to clarify a statement. Example: "If my explanation was unclear, please feel free to ask me to rephrase it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"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

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

Rather, they engage in considerable maneuvering to discount the intuition, to rephrase it in a way not damaging to straightforward reliabilism, or, most commonly, to provide an alternative, recognizably reliabilist, theory which accommodates the intuition.

SEP

Apologies for quoting myself, but I can't find a superior way to rephrase it: If you like the Beatles, or XTC, or ELO, or Big Star -- any pop music with strong melodies and intelligent lyrics, really -- then Jason Falkner belongs in your pantheon of faves.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 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

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

What if, instead of seeing "full of yourself" as a pejorative term, we could rephrase it to "self-full"?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to rephrase it" when you want to clarify a statement or express an idea in different words, ensuring better understanding. It's particularly useful in discussions or writing where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "to rephrase it" too frequently in a single piece of writing or conversation. Overuse can make your communication sound repetitive and less natural. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms such as "to restate it" or "to reword it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to rephrase it" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used to introduce a restatement or clarification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. It commonly serves as an introductory element, signaling a shift in wording for improved understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to rephrase it" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to signal a restatement or clarification. According to Ludwig AI, it aims to enhance understanding by presenting an idea in different words. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While common, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "to restate it" or "to reword it" to maintain a natural and engaging tone. The phrase is most frequently found in news, scientific, and wiki-based content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to restate it

Focuses on saying something again, often for clarity or emphasis.

to reword it

Emphasizes changing the wording while maintaining the same meaning.

to rephrase that

Slightly more direct, referring to a specific statement just made.

to express it differently

Highlights the act of using a different mode of expression.

to put it another way

Suggests providing an alternative explanation or perspective.

to clarify it

Indicates an intention to make something clearer or more understandable.

to explain it better

Implies that the initial explanation was inadequate.

to articulate it differently

Focuses on the manner of speaking or expressing an idea.

to re-articulate it

Similar to 'articulate it differently' but with an emphasis on doing it again.

to paraphrase it

More formal, indicating a summary or restatement in simpler terms.

FAQs

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

You can use "to rephrase it" to indicate that you are going to express something in different words, often to make it clearer. For example, "Let me "to rephrase it": what I meant was..."

What are some alternatives to "to rephrase it"?

Alternatives include "to restate it", "to reword it", "to clarify it", or "to put it another way". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "to rephrase it" or "to paraphrase it"?

"To paraphrase it" implies summarizing or simplifying a longer statement, while "to rephrase it" simply means to say something again in different words. Use "to paraphrase it" when you are condensing information and "to rephrase it" when you are clarifying a statement.

When is it appropriate to use "to rephrase it"?

It's appropriate to use "to rephrase it" when you feel your original statement was unclear, ambiguous, or potentially misunderstood, and you want to express the same idea in a different way to ensure better understanding. This is especially helpful if you detect a lack of comprehension in your audience or reader.