omskrives

Omskrives is a term used in Norwegian Bokmål and related Scandinavian languages to denote that a text is rewritten or paraphrased. It is the present passive form of the verb omskrive (to rewrite, to paraphrase). The word is commonly encountered in editing, journalism, and academic writing, where a text must be reworded for clarity, tone, length, or audience without altering the underlying meaning.

Etymology and related forms: the word combines the prefix om- (re-, again) with skriv(e) (to write). Related concepts in the same language family include omformulering (reformulation) and parafrasering (paraphrase). The infinitive form is omskrive, and related past and participle forms include omskrev (past) and omskrevet (past participle) in Norwegian. In practice, omskrives serves as a generic descriptor for texts that have undergone rewriting or paraphrasing in the present tense or passive voice.

Usage and function: omskrives is used to describe the act of rewriting a document, article, or passage. It signals that the current version differs in wording from an earlier version while keeping the original meaning intact. This is common during editorial revisions, translation work, or attempts to increase readability for a specific readership or compliance with style guides.

Examples:

- Teksten omskrives for å gjøre den tydeligere og kortere.

- Avsnittet omskrives av redaktøren før publisering.

See also: omskriving, omformulering, parafrasering. The term is part of a broader set of editorial practices aimed at improving clarity and accessibility while preserving meaning.