What is paraphrase? Pronunciation and usage in English

paraphrase means . Learn how to pronounce and use paraphrase through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of paraphrase

paraphraseverb

/ˈpærəfreɪz//ˈpærəfreɪz/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "paraphrase" in English. Here's a phonetic guide and a few tips:

Phonetic Breakdown:

  • par - rhymes with "car"
  • a - short 'a' as in "father"
  • phra - This is the trickiest part. It sounds like "frah" (with a short "a" sound). The "ph" is like the "f" sound.
  • se - rhymes with "see"

Putting it together:

ˈpɑːrˌfeɪs (British English) or ˈpærfraɪz (American English)

(IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)

  • ˈpɑːr - stress on the first syllable
  • feɪs - second syllable
  • /ˌpærfraɪz - American pronunciation

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • The "ph" sound: Think of it like "f" but with your lips slightly further apart.
  • The "fra" sound: Focus on the short "a" as in "father." Don't pronounce the "r" sound in this part of the word.
  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable ("par").

Resources for Hearing It:

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Usage and examples with the word paraphrase in English

Let's break down how to use the word "paraphrase" effectively in English.

1. What Does "Paraphrase" Mean?

At its core, "paraphrase" means to express the meaning of something in your own words. You're not simply restating the original text word-for-word. Instead, you're re-writing it to convey the same idea using different language, sentence structure, and sometimes even a slightly different point of view.

2. Why Do We Paraphrase?

  • Understanding: Paraphrasing forces you to really understand the original text. You can't just copy and paste; you have to digest the information.
  • Avoiding Plagiarism: This is a huge reason. If you borrow someone else's ideas, you must express them in your own words and cite the source. Paraphrasing is a key part of doing this ethically.
  • Simplifying Complex Text: Paraphrasing can make complicated information easier to grasp.
  • Adapting for Different Audiences: You might need to paraphrase for a younger audience or a more specialized readership.

3. How to Paraphrase Effectively – A Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Read and Understand: Carefully read the original passage. Make sure you completely understand the main idea, supporting details, and the author’s intent. Don’t just glance at it.

  2. Put the Original Away: Crucially, step away from the original text. This helps prevent you from simply rearranging the words and accidentally plagiarizing.

  3. Rewrite in Your Own Words: Using your understanding, rewrite the passage in your own language. Change the sentence structure. Use synonyms for key words.

  4. Check for Accuracy: Compare your paraphrase to the original. Does it convey the same meaning? Don't just change a few words; ensure the overall idea is identical.

  5. Cite Your Source (Always!): Even when you paraphrase, you must credit the original author. Use a citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) as required.

4. Examples

  • Original: "The rapid advancement of technology has profoundly impacted the way people communicate."

  • Paraphrase 1: "Because technology is developing so quickly, the ways we communicate have been dramatically changed."

  • Paraphrase 2: "Modern technology has significantly altered communication patterns for individuals."

  • Original: "Climate change poses a serious threat to the planet's ecosystems."

  • Paraphrase 1: "The ongoing changes in the global climate are causing significant harm to natural environments."

  • Paraphrase 2: "Scientists are warning that climate change is damaging Earth's ecosystems."

5. Important Tips

  • Don't Just Substitute a Few Words: True paraphrasing involves a substantial rewrite. Simply swapping out a few synonyms isn't enough.
  • Change Sentence Structure: Alter the order of ideas and the way you express them.
  • Expand or Condense: You can sometimes expand on a detail in your paraphrase or condense it to make it more concise.
  • Beware of "Patchwriting": Patchwriting is when you mostly just rearrange the original text with minor changes. It’s considered a form of plagiarism.

6. Resources for Practice

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Synonyms for the word paraphrase

Practice with vocabulary paraphrase

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. To avoid plagiarism, students must always remember to _____________ the original source material into their own words, ensuring proper citation.
  2. The journalist was asked to _____________ the ambassador’s statement, providing a concise summary of the key message without altering its meaning.
  3. During the team meeting, Sarah had to _____________ the complex technical specifications for the non-technical stakeholders.
  4. Please _____________ the exact wording of the company’s mission statement; do not alter any part of it.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following actions involve restating an idea or text in different words while retaining the original meaning? A) Transcribing B) Rephrasing C) Paraphrasing D) Reciting

  2. When preparing a presentation, you might want to _____________ complex data to make it more accessible to your audience. A) simplify B) elaborate C) obfuscate D) transcribe

  3. In academic writing, if you need to explain a nuanced theory from a source in your own distinct voice without shortening it significantly, you should: A) quote it verbatim. B) summarize it briefly. C) paraphrase it. D) cite it only.

  4. Before reaching a conclusion, it is crucial to accurately _____________ all available evidence and facts. A) misinterpret B) distort C) analyze D) ignore

  5. Which scenario best describes the act of paraphrasing? A) Copying a passage word-for-word and enclosing it in quotation marks. B) Rewriting an author's argument in your own words, making it roughly the same length as the original. C) Shortening a lengthy document to capture only its main points. D) Translating a text from one language to another.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The manager explained the new company policy in his own words to ensure everyone understood it clearly. Rewrite using a form of "paraphrase":

  2. Instead of directly quoting the lengthy legal document, she decided to put its main points into her own language. Rewrite using a form of "paraphrase":

  3. The professor requested that the students shorten the 500-word article into a brief, 100-word overview. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word for "shorten":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. paraphrase
  2. summarize
  3. paraphrase
  4. quote

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) Rephrasing, C) Paraphrasing
  2. A) simplify
  3. C) paraphrase it
  4. C) analyze
  5. B) Rewriting an author's argument in your own words, making it roughly the same length as the original.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The manager decided to paraphrase the new company policy to ensure everyone understood it clearly.
  2. Instead of directly quoting the lengthy legal document, she decided on paraphrasing its main points.
  3. The professor requested that the students condense the 500-word article into a brief, 100-word overview.

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