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Rephrasing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ”„
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rephrasing

[หŒriหหˆfreษชz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

communication

Express the meaning of (something written or spoken) using different words, especially to achieve greater clarity.

Synonyms

paraphrase, restate, reword.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rephrasing

Similar to 'rephrase,' but is the noun form, typically used to describe the act of changing the phrasing of a statement.

  • Your rephrasing of the instructions made it much easier to follow.
  • Rephrasing your thoughts can help in better communication.
paraphrase

Often used in academic or formal settings when you restate a text or passage using different words, usually to make the meaning clearer or to avoid plagiarism.

  • The student paraphrased the article for her essay.
  • To avoid copying, always paraphrase the original text.
reword

Used when you change the wording of a statement, often to make it clearer or to correct it.

  • Can you reword that sentence? It sounds confusing.
  • He had to reword his email to avoid misunderstanding.
restate

Used when you say something again or differently, especially to emphasize or clarify the original statement.

  • Let me restate the main points of our discussion.
  • She restated her argument to make her position clear.

Examples of usage

  • He rephrased the question to make it easier to understand.
  • She asked me to rephrase my answer in simpler terms.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • Rephrasing is a valuable skill in writing and speaking, helping to clarify or simplify complex ideas.
  • Teachers often encourage students to rephrase their understanding to ensure they have grasped a concept.
  • In language learning, rephrasing helps students practice and expand their vocabulary.

Communication

  • Effective communication often involves rephrasing to avoid misunderstandings between people.
  • Rephrasing can make messages more persuasive by tailoring wording to the audience's experiences and perspectives.
  • The act of rephrasing is essential in conflict resolution, allowing parties to express emotions while maintaining respect.

Psychology

  • Cognitive-behavioral techniques often utilize rephrasing to help individuals reframe negative thoughts into more positive ones.
  • Therapeutic settings often encourage clients to rephrase their feelings to better articulate emotional struggles.
  • Neuroscience suggests that rephrasing aids memory retention by creating new neural pathways.

Writing

  • Rephrasing can enhance creative writing by providing different perspectives on the same idea.
  • Writers might rephrase to avoid plagiarism while still conveying similar meanings as original sources.
  • In editing, rephrasing is a common strategy to improve flow and clarity in written work.

Origin of 'rephrasing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'rephrase' combines the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' and 'phrase,' which refers to a group of words.
  • It first appeared in the English language in the early 20th century.
  • Language evolution plays a crucial role in the development of phrases and their meanings over time.

The word 'rephrasing' originated from the combination of 're-' (meaning 'again') and 'phrase', ultimately derived from the Latin word 'phrasis' meaning 'manner of expression'. The concept of rephrasing has been utilized in language and communication for centuries to convey ideas in a clearer and more concise manner.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,548, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.