Types of Paraphrasing: Examples and Best Practices

Turnitin’s 2023 report found that 45% of the submissions contained unoriginal content due to poor paraphrasing.

Claudine Gay, former Harvard President resigned after 50 allegations of copied work in her PhD thesis. 

Beyond academics, in 2020, a journalist lost their job after paraphrasing a news article without proper attribution. 

But don’t worry, there is a solution, and it is called “paraphrasing”.

Definition and Importance

The word “Paraphrasing” came from the Greek roots.Para means “beside or beyond” and phrasein means “to tell”. 

In short, it means expressing an idea using different words.

Because, this is a skill EVERY writer, student, and researcher – whether you’re a native English speaker or not – needs to master.

Why is this so important?

Well, for two main reasons:

a) To prevent plagiarism – It ensures you didn’t unintentionally copy someone else’s work.

And b) To improve your writing – It also helps you become a better writer and…

• Rank well on Google
• Easily reference for your book and thesis writing
• Do well in exams like IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL.

That’s why it’s a great skill to have!
In this guide, you’ll learn different types of paraphrasing, with paraphrasing examples to help you understand & how to apply them.

When to Use Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is useful when you need to simplify content, avoid plagiarism, or make ideas relatable to a new audience.

Here’s when to use it:

• Rewrite complex legal terms into simple language for clients.
• Summarize a lengthy report into actionable points for your team.
• Adapt formal writing into conversational content for a blog or social media.

For example, instead of saying, “The company demonstrated exponential growth,” you can paraphrase as, “The business grew rapidly over time.”

Simple, right?

Types of Paraphrasing with Examples

1. Synonym-Based Paraphrasing

This is the easiest one. 

In synonym-based paraphrasing, you take a sentence, swap a few words with their synonyms, and get a fresh-looking sentence.

Simple, right?

Take a look at this example.

• Original: 

The entrepreneur initiated a revolutionary business model.

• Paraphrase: 

The businessperson launched an innovative company strategy.

That’s it.

We changed a few words and you’re a paraphrasing pro already.

2. Summarizing Paraphrasing

Next level, here we go.

Summarizing paraphrasing is squeezing large amounts of information into small, sweet, and digestible information – while still keeping the main point.

For instance,

• Original Text:

A 2022 study published in the Journal of Health Psychology found that participants who engaged in 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week reported significant improvements in mental health, including reduced anxiety and enhanced mood stability. Additionally, physical health benefits such as lower blood pressure and improved cardiovascular function were observed over a six-month period.

• Summarizing Paraphrase:

Regular moderate exercise improves mental health (reducing anxiety and stabilizing mood) and physical health (lowering blood pressure and enhancing heart function), according to a 2022 study.

See? 

We took out the extra details, and examples, and delivered them in a neat package. 

Straight to the point. 

Summarizing works great when you’re writing social media posts, writing meeting notes or thesis statements, or explaining concepts in your daily routine. 

Anything when you need to get the main points across quickly.

Just don’t leave out too much. Okay?

3. Structural Paraphrasing

This one is used when you want to get a little fancy with your writing.

Instead of just swapping out words, you switch up the entire structure of the sentence.

This is especially useful in academic papers, research, or SEO when you need to sound sophisticated without being a plagiarist. 

A paraphrasing example is… 

• Original:

The government will invest $5 billion in renewable energy to reduce emissions by 2030.

• Structural Paraphrase:

To cut emissions by 2030, a $5 billion investment in renewable energy was pledged by the government.

Look at you, changing the active to a passive voice like an IELTS teacher!

4. Conceptual Paraphrasing

This is the advanced level of paraphrasing.

In this type, you need to have deep subject expertise and can explain in your own way – using analogies, metaphors, or a whole new framework.

For example, 

• Original

Neural networks learn by adjusting weights based on error gradients.

• Conceptual Paraphrase

AI systems improve like students revising answers – they tweak their ‘guesses’ based on feedback until they get it right.

Nice, now you’re explaining neural networks with a classroom analogy.

Just ensure you’re not using it for technical writing, legal documents, and scientific research.

5. Technical or Specialized Paraphrasing

Alright, this one is for the professionals. 

In technical paraphrasing, you rewrite domain-specific content such as legal clauses, medical terms, and engineering protocols in a way that it still stays accurate but makes sense for different people and situations. 

For example,

• Original (Medical)

Administer 5 mg/kg of azithromycin orally once daily for 3 days to treat community-acquired pneumonia.

• Technical Paraphrase (Patient)

Take a daily dose of antibiotic medication, calculated by your weight, for 3 days to treat a lung infection.

You make sure it’s clear, concise, and easy to understand for anyone.

Examples of Paraphrasing in Practice

1. Academic Writing

When working as an academic writer, you’ll need to learn two different types of paraphrasing: structural & technical paraphrasing.

It is because of the two main reasons:

# 1 – Avoid plagiarism – Structural paraphrasing lets you shuffle the sentence order, change its voice, and reorganize ideas.

# 2 – Maintaining precision – Technical paraphrasing allows you to rephrase the jargon without diluting its meaning. 

Let’s break it down with a paraphrasing example:

• Original

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been empirically validated as an effective intervention for reducing symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), with meta-analyses indicating significant effect sizes in comparison to control groups.

• Paraphrased

Research confirms that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) effectively alleviates symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Meta-analytic studies demonstrate that CBT produces clinically meaningful outcomes, surpassing results observed in control conditions.

See how the context is the same but with a fresh spin? This is how it’s done.

2. Content Creation

Content creation always requires a fresh approach, and that’s where conceptual paraphrasing comes in. 

It allows you to reinterpret ideas by using analogies, metaphors, and storytelling to make your content fresh and engaging. 

To level up even more, synonym-based paraphrasing helps you avoid repeating the same words while boosting your SEO efforts. 

This combo makes your content more readable and increases the chances of ranking higher on search engines. 

Take a look at the paraphrase example in action.

• Original

Implementing time-blocking techniques can significantly enhance productivity by helping individuals focus on high-priority tasks without distractions.

• Paraphrased

Think of time-blocking as your daily roadmap, it’s a game-changer for crushing your to-do list by laser-focusing on what matters most, minus the noise.

We included a visual and engaging metaphor and swapped formal words with the more relatable ones. 

3. Professional Communication

Professional communication is all about clarity, brevity, and following the right format.

That’s why, it is recommended to use structural paraphrasing and summarizing paraphrasing. 

Both of these help you to:

• Make ideas easier to understand.
• Keep things short and simple
• Adjust the message according to the professional format.

Here’s a paraphrasing example:

• Original

After reviewing the quarterly sales data, it has been observed that there was a 15% decline in revenue compared to the previous quarter. This decrease can be attributed to supply chain disruptions and reduced consumer spending in the retail sector. We recommend implementing cost-cutting measures and diversifying suppliers to mitigate future risks.

• Rewritten

The quarterly sales report shows a 15% revenue drop due to supply chain issues and lower retail spending. To address this, we propose cost reduction and supplier diversification.

It keeps your communication professional, clear, and easy to digest, no matter the situation!

Best Practices for Paraphrasing

If you’re a complete beginner, follow these four best practices to strengthen your foundations. 

Practice # 1 – Understand the Original Text

Before you even think about paraphrasing, take some time to understand the context first. 

You can’t authentically paraphrase what you don’t fully understand. 

Follow these steps:

• First, read the text twice – One for the general idea, and again for understanding.  
• Then break it down – Grab a notebook or open a note-taking application like OneNote and summarize each section in bullet points. 

To make sure you haven’t missed anything, ask yourself:

• What is the main message?
• Why is this message important?
• Are there examples or supporting points I should preserve?

Still confused about the tricky section? 

Head to ChatGPT and ask “Can you explain this like I’m 12?”

AI would explain to you in layman’s terms. 

Practice # 2 – Use Your Own Words

Now comes the fun part: Rewriting 

The goal here isn’t just swapping words for synonyms, but to write a text in YOUR voice as if you’re the only one reading this.

Here’s how to approach this…

• Go sentence-by-sentence or idea-by-idea. 
• Play with sentence structure. Turn active voice to passive voice (or vice versa), and convert complex sentences into simple ones. 

When you hit a creative block, use tools like Ask AI to brainstorm alternative phrases. 

Practice # 3 – Preserve the Original Meaning

This step is crucial. 

Paraphrasing isn’t about making the text sound fancy or overly complicated – it’s about saying the same thing differently.

To make sure you don’t accidentally lose or distort the meaning, you’d:

• Compare as you go. After paraphrasing a section, glance back at the original to ensure the message matches.
• Use highlighters (digital or physical) to mark key points. For instance, tools like Google Keep or even sticky notes work great for this.
• Stay concise.

Practice # 4 – Maintain Readability

Even if your paraphrased version is accurate, it won’t work if it’s clunky or hard to read.

To keep things smooth and easy to follow, you’d:

• Read it out loud. If it doesn’t flow naturally when spoken, it won’t read well either.
• Break up long sentences. 
• Tailor it to the audience. If you’re writing for a general audience, you’d ditch unnecessary jargon and keep things conversational.

For an extra layer of polish, use tools like Hemingway Editor to spot overly complex sentences or Readable.com to check overall readability.

Tools to Help with Paraphrasing

AI Paraphraser

If you’re looking to transform your text into something fresh, polished, and impactful, Undetectable AI’s paraphrasing tool is your secret weapon.

Whether you’re working on academic papers, marketing content, or just want clearer, more engaging writing, this tool adapts to your needs effortlessly.

Plus, it’s fast and user-friendly — perfect for anyone looking to elevate their content in a snap.

Here’s how you can use this.

1. Click here to access the AI paraphrasing tool.

2. Choose your readability level by clicking on the “Readability” dropdown menu.

Select the option that fits your audience: High School, University, Doctorate, Journalist, or Marketing.

In our example, “University” was selected, which is great for academic content.

3. Select the purpose of your writing from the “Purpose” dropdown.

If you’re unsure, stick with General Writing, which works for most content.

Paste your text into the box labeled “Paste Your Text Here.”

4. Fine-tune the output style by choosing one of the options below the text box:

• More Readable for clear and simple content
• Balanced for a mix of formal and conversational tone
• More Human for warm, relatable language

5. Agree to the terms of service by ticking the box (remember to stay ethical and avoid academic misconduct).

6. Click “Paraphrase” and let the tool work its magic!

Review the output. Make sure it’s polished and fits your voice.

You can make any additional tweaks if needed.

AI Essay Writer

Writing essays can be stressful, research, deadlines, and writer’s block? No thanks.

This AI-powered tool is here to save the day by helping you craft essays that are not only top-notch but also pass AI detection tools with flying colors.

Whether you’re in high school or working on a doctorate, it’s your secret weapon for A+ writing.

How to Use the AI Essay Writer

1. Click here to access the AI Essay Writer.
2. Choose Your Essay Length:

• Short: Straight to the point.
• Medium: Just enough to impress.
• Long: Go big or go home.

3. Pick Your Academic Level:

• High School
• University
• Doctorate

4. Select Your Language: This tool speaks your language — literally! Choose from options like English (EN), Spanish (ES), French (FR), Portuguese (PT-BR), and more.

5. Select the Essay Type: Depending on your assignment, pick from:

• Descriptive
• Narrative
• Persuasive
• Analytical
• Compare and Contrast
• Critical
• Argumentative
• Reflective
• Cause and Effect
• Expository

1. Insert the Topic or Guidelines: Paste your prompt, topic, or rubric right into the text box.
2. Agree to the Terms: Tick the box to agree you’re using this responsibly (no academic misconduct).
3. Humanize or Keep AI Style: Choose whether you want a more human touch or AI-crafted precision.
4. Hit “Write My Essay”: Sit back, relax, and watch the magic happen.

And that’s it — your essay is ready in seconds!

Whether you need inspiration or a complete draft, this tool has your back.

AI Humanizer

If you’re looking to give that AI-generated text a more human and natural touch, the AI Humanizer is like your digital best friend.

No hassle: just paste the text in the widget, click once, and voilà – a smooth, authentic vibe.

Whether it’s for making reports, emails, or any other content feel more organic, the result is impressive. Readers won’t even guess it was generated by AI.

Test it out now using the widget below!

Common Mistakes in Paraphrasing

Mistake # 1 – Overuse of Synonyms

Many writers fall into the trap of simply swapping out words with their synonyms, believing this constitutes effective paraphrasing. 

However, overdoing this can lead to…

• Robotic language flow
• Reduced readability by 40-60%
• Loss of emotional nuance
• Artificial or overly formal sentences

Mistake # 2 – Losing Context or Meaning

This occurs when writers prioritize quick word swaps over deep comprehension.

They neglect the context of the original text which leads to… 

• Fragmented logic and disjointed progression
• Diluted or weakened arguments
• Disconnected supporting details
• Loss of persuasive or emotional impact

Mistake # 3 – Too Much Similarity

This happens when the person has a severe fear of misinterpreting the original text, limited writing skills, or inadequate comprehension of the source.

In any of the cases, content fails to demonstrate genuine understanding or transformation of the ideas.

Plagiarism Detection Checkpoints

• Acceptable similarity threshold: 10-15%
• Avoid verbatim copying unless quoting directly
• Structural transformation is mandatory
• Leverage plagiarism detection tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Paraphrasing means thinking, creating, and respecting the ideas you share. 

When you’re good at it, you can avoid accidental copying, make your writing easier to understand, and show your knowledge.

To keep your skills sharp, practice often, use AI wisely, and stay updated on writing rules. 

The ultimate goal is to be clear, original  and 100% YOU!