Paraphrase
Meaning: A paraphrase is a restatement of a text or passage using different words, typically to clarify the meaning, simplify the language, or recall from memory rather than quoting verbatim. As a verb, it means to express an idea or statement in different words.
Etymology
From Middle French paraphrase, ultimately from Latin paraphrasis, from Ancient Greek paráphrasis (“translation, paraphrase”), from pará (“beside”) + phrásis (“speech”).
Pronunciation
IPA: /ˈpæɹ.ə.fɹeɪz/ (British and American English). The primary stress is on the first syllable: PA-ra-phrase. It is pronounced with a short ‘a’ in the first syllable, followed by a schwa in the second, and a long ‘a’ sound in the final syllable.
Morphology and Grammar Notes
Noun: Countable and uncountable; plural: paraphrases.
Verb: Regular verb; third-person singular: paraphrases; present participle: paraphrasing; past tense and past participle: paraphrased. It functions as an ambitransitive verb, meaning it can take a direct object (e.g., “paraphrase the text”) or be used intransitively (e.g., “paraphrase in your own words”). No irregular forms.
Interesting Facts
The term “paraphrase” entered English in the 16th century and is related to “metaphrase,” which means a literal, word-for-word translation. In Scottish religious tradition, paraphrases were metrical versions of Bible passages used in worship, similar to hymns. Interestingly, paraphrasing is a key skill in academic writing to avoid plagiarism while conveying the same idea.
Tips to Learn It Easier
Associate “paraphrase” with “para” (beside, as in parallel) and “phrase” (words), imagining rephrasing something alongside the original. Practice by summarizing news articles in your own words daily. Use mnemonic: “Para-phrase = pair of phrases” (original and reworded versions).
Cultural and Contextual Features
In education and journalism, paraphrasing promotes understanding and originality. It’s essential in legal contexts to avoid direct quotes that might misrepresent sources. Culturally, in literature, authors like Shakespeare often paraphrased classical works to adapt them for English audiences.
Examples
- Simple: Can you paraphrase that sentence?
- Medium: Instead of quoting the expert directly, the reporter paraphrased the advice to make it more accessible.
- Complex: While original texts from ancient philosophers can be dense and archaic, scholars often paraphrase them in modern language to elucidate complex ethical dilemmas for contemporary readers.
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Common Combinations
Synonyms: Rephrase, reword, restate, summarize (noun/verb).
Antonyms: Quote, cite verbatim, plagiarize (in context of direct copying).
Common Combinations: Paraphrase in your own words; close paraphrase; loose paraphrase; paraphrase a quote; academic paraphrasing.
Mini-Tasks for Practice
- Make a sentence: Create your own example using “paraphrase” as a verb.
- Find a synonym: List three synonyms and use one in a sentence.
- Paraphrase this: Rewrite the sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” in different words.
- Identify in context: Read a short paragraph from a book and spot or create a paraphrase of one idea.