Paraphrasing means expressing an idea in different words while keeping its original meaning. This skill helps you understand questions and write answers in your own words. It also supports reading and speaking because you need to recognize when two different phrases carry the same idea.
For example:
Original: Paraphrasing is an important skill to learn before an English exam.
Reworded: Before taking an English exam, it helps to learn how to restate ideas clearly.
The second version changes the vocabulary and sentence structure while keeping the central point.
1. Replace Words with Accurate Synonyms
A synonym has a meaning close to another word. For example, vehicle can replace car, and fuel can replace petrol:
Original: My car needs petrol.
Reworded: My vehicle needs fuel.
Choose replacements with care. Similar words can have different meanings or cover different groups.
Original: Violent crime is increasing among teenagers.
Too broad: Violent crime is increasing among young people.
“Young people” can include children and adults, so it does not match “teenagers” exactly. A closer version is:
Reworded: Violent offences are increasing among adolescents.
Use a synonym only when you understand its meaning and know that it fits the sentence.
2. Change the Sentence Structure
You can move clauses or reshape a sentence, but check that the new version remains grammatical.
Original: As widely spoken languages spread, some minority languages may disappear.
Reworded: Some minority languages may disappear as widely spoken languages spread.
The clauses have changed order, but the meaning stays the same.
You can also combine a noun and its description differently:
Original: Money management is one of the key aspects of adult life.
Reworded: Managing money is one of the main skills adults need.
3. Change the Form of a Word
Words can take different forms, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Changing a word’s form can help you build a new sentence, but you may need to adjust nearby words too.
Original: Longer lives and better health among older adults suggest that people over sixty-five can remain active.
Reworded: Because older adults are living longer and enjoying better health, many people over sixty-five can continue to lead active lives.
Check that each change fits the grammar and preserves the original meaning.
4. Change Between Active and Passive Voice
You can sometimes change an active sentence into a passive one. The passive form works when the verb has an object.
Active: Builders invested a large sum in the shopping centre.
Passive: A large sum was invested in the shopping centre.
The passive voice can also put the focus on the action or result:
Active: People say that burning fossil fuels contributes to global warming.
Passive: Burning fossil fuels is said to contribute to global warming.
Combining Methods
You can use one method or combine several. For example, change the sentence structure and replace a few words. Keep the original meaning, and use changes you can write accurately. A simpler paraphrase is better than one with an incorrect synonym or a grammar mistake.