7 ways to paraphrase sentences and paragraphs effectively

7 ways to paraphrase sentences and paragraphs effectively

There are several ways to paraphrase sentences and paragraphs effectively. Common methods include:

1. Using synonyms to replace words while maintaining meaning.
2. Changing sentence structure or word order.
3. Switching between active and passive voice.
4. Breaking long sentences into shorter ones or combining short sentences.
5. Replacing idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs with simpler or alternative phrases.
6. Changing parts of speech (e.g., converting a noun into a verb).
7. Using a different tone or level of formality.

Examples of Good Paraphrasing:
Original: "Technology is changing the way we communicate."

Good Paraphrase: "The way people communicate is being transformed by technology."
Explanation: Sentence structure is flipped, passive voice is used, but the meaning is preserved.

Original: "Regular exercise helps improve mental health."

Good Paraphrase: "Staying active can boost your mood and support mental well-being."
Explanation: Synonyms replace keywords, and the sentence is made more conversational without changing the meaning.
Examples of Bad Paraphrasing:

Simply changing a few words but keeping the original sentence structure too close, for example:
Original: "Global warming is caused by excessive carbon emissions."
Bad Paraphrase: "Global warming happens because of too much carbon emissions."
Explanation: The paraphrase is too close to the original; it may be considered plagiarism and lacks originality.
Good paraphrase: Overabundant release of carbon into the atmosphere is the main contributor to global warming.

Changing only some words without conveying the same meaning or missing key parts, for example:
Original: "The study revealed a strong connection between sleep and productivity."
Bad Paraphrase: "The study showed sleep."
Explanation: Important information is omitted, so the paraphrase loses the original meaning.

These approaches and examples illustrate effective paraphrasing techniques to maintain meaning while expressing ideas differently, which is crucial for clarity and avoiding plagiarism.​