rephrase

Rephrase is the act of expressing the same idea using different words or sentence structures. It is a form of restatement that aims to preserve meaning while altering phrasing.

In writing and editing, rephrasing helps clarify content, adjust tone, simplify complex sentences, or adapt material to a specific audience or word limit. It is closely related to paraphrase, but the emphasis may be on style and form as well as content.

Common methods include substituting synonyms, changing sentence order, switching between active and passive voice, dividing long sentences, and combining short ones. Successful rephrasing preserves facts and nuance while avoiding unintended changes in meaning.

Example: Original: The study found that the algorithm reduced error rates by 15 percent. Rephrase: According to the study, the algorithm reduced error rates by 15 percent.

Applications range from education and journalism to content creation and software tools. Rephrasing can be done manually or with paraphrasing software and AI. Ethical considerations include avoiding misrepresentation, maintaining proper attribution, and respecting copyright and academic integrity. Limitations include potential loss of precision or unintended shifts in tone. See also paraphrase.