What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paraphrasing
Example
The student was asked to paraphrase the paragraph in their own words. [paraphrase: verb]
Example
The article provided a clear paraphrasing of the scientific study for non-experts. [paraphrasing: noun]
rephrasing
Example
The teacher suggested rephrasing the sentence to make it more concise. [rephrase: verb]
Example
The politician's rephrasing of their controversial statement did not satisfy the public. [rephrasing: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Paraphrasing and rephrasing are both commonly used in academic and technical writing. However, paraphrasing is more commonly used in these contexts, while rephrasing can be used in various contexts, including informal conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between paraphrasing and rephrasing?
Paraphrasing is typically associated with a formal and academic tone, while rephrasing can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be employed in a wider range of situations.
