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• What is Paraphrasing? An Overview With Examples
• Learn English
• James Prior
• No Comments
• Updated February 23, 2024

What is paraphrasing? Or should I say what is the definition of paraphrasing? If you want to restate something using different words whilst retaining the same meaning, this is paraphrasing.

In this article, we cover what paraphrasing is, why it’s important, and when you should do it. Plus, some benefits and examples.

Table of Contents

Paraphrase Definition: What is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is when you restate the information from a source using your own words while maintaining the original meaning. It involves expressing the ideas in a different way, often to clarify or simplify the content, without directly quoting the source.

When you paraphrase, you are not only borrowing, clarifying, or expanding on the information but also ensuring that you do all of these actions without plagiarizing the original content. It’s therefore definitely worth learning how to paraphrase if you want to improve your writing skills.

Why is Paraphrasing Important?

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill that allows you to convey information in your unique writing style while still giving credit to someone else’s ideas. It’s important for several reasons, and it serves various functions in both academic and professional writing.

Here are some key reasons why you should paraphrase:

• Paraphrasing allows you to present information from sources in your own words, reducing the risk of plagiarism. Proper in-text citation is still necessary, but paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding and interpretation of the material.
• When you paraphrase, you are required to comprehend the original content fully. You actively engage with the information, helping you better understand complex concepts and ideas. This process of restating the information in your own words showcases your understanding of the subject matter.
• By paraphrasing, you can clarify complex ideas or technical language and convey information in a clearer, shorter, and simpler form. This makes it more accessible to your audience and ensures they grasp the key points. This is particularly important when communicating with readers who may not be familiar with specialized terminology.
• Paraphrasing is valuable when synthesizing information from various sources. It enables you to blend ideas cohesively while maintaining a consistent writing style throughout your work.
• Paraphrasing allows you to inject your unique writing style and voice into the content. It helps you present information in a way that is more aligned with your personal expression and perspective.
• In certain situations where you need to meet specific length requirements for assignments or publications, paraphrasing allows you to convey information more concisely while still preserving the essential meaning.
• Paraphrasing helps maintain a smooth flow and cohesiveness in your writing. It allows you to integrate information seamlessly, avoiding abrupt shifts between your own ideas and those from external sources.
• Depending on your audience, you may need to adapt the language and level of technicality of the information you present. Paraphrasing allows you to tailor the content to suit the needs of your specific readership.

Incorporating paraphrasing into your writing not only showcases your understanding of the material but also enhances the overall quality and originality of your work.

When Should You Paraphrase?

Knowing when to paraphrase is an important skill, especially in academic writing and professional communication. Here are some situations in which you should consider paraphrasing:

• To Avoid Plagiarism:  Whenever you want to incorporate information from source material into your own work, but don’t want to use a direct quotation, paraphrasing is necessary to present the ideas in your own words while still acknowledging the original source.
• To Express Understanding:  Paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding of a topic by rephrasing the information in a way that shows you have processed and comprehended the material.
• To Simplify Complex Information:  If you encounter complex or technical language that may be difficult for your audience to understand, paraphrasing can help you clarify and simplify the information to make it more accessible and digestible.
• To Integrate Multiple Sources:  When synthesizing information from multiple sources, paraphrasing allows you to blend the ideas cohesively while maintaining your own voice and perspective.
• To Maintain Consistency in Writing Style:  In academic writing or professional writing, paraphrasing can help you maintain a consistent writing style throughout your work. This helps to ensure that all sections flow smoothly and are coherent.
• To Meet Specific Requirements:  Some assignments or publications may have specific requirements. This could relate to the number of words or concern the use of direct quotations. In such cases, paraphrasing allows you to meet these requirements while still incorporating relevant information from your sources.

What Are the Benefits of Paraphrasing?

Rewriting information in a clearer, shorter, and simpler form is called paraphrasing, so one of the benefits of paraphrasing is already clear! However, it can also be a useful exercise for other reasons, which are outlined below:

Avoiding Plagiarism

One of the main benefits of paraphrasing is mastering the ability to present information from external sources in a way that is entirely your own. By restructuring the content and expressing it using your words, you create a distinct piece of writing that reflects your comprehension and interpretation of the original material. This not only showcases your academic or professional integrity but also safeguards against unintentional plagiarism.

Paraphrasing is a fundamental skill in academic and professional settings, where originality and proper attribution are highly valued. This is especially true when it comes to writing research papers, where you’ll often need to reference someone else’s ideas with appropriate citations.

When you paraphrase effectively, you communicate to your audience that you respect the intellectual property of others while contributing your unique insights. This ethical approach to information usage enhances your credibility as a writer or researcher and reinforces the integrity of your work.

Enhancing Understanding

When you engage in paraphrasing, you actively participate in the material you are working with. You are forced to consider the ideas presented in the source material. You need to discern the essential concepts, identify key phrases, and decide how best to convey the message in a way that resonates with you.

This active engagement not only aids in understanding the content but also encourages critical thinking as you evaluate and interpret the information from your own standpoint.

By expressing someone else’s ideas in your own words, you deepen your understanding of the content. This process requires you to dissect the original text, grasp its nuances, and then reconstruct it using your language and perspective. In this way, you go beyond mere memorization and truly internalize the information, fostering a more profound comprehension of the subject matter.

Tailoring Information for Your Audience

Paraphrasing empowers you to adapt the language and complexity of the information to suit the needs and understanding of your audience. As you rephrase the content, you have the flexibility to adjust the level of technicality, simplify complex terminology, or tailor the tone to make the information more accessible to your specific readership.

Consider your audience’s background, knowledge level, and interests. Paraphrasing allows you to bridge the gap between the original content and the understanding of your intended audience.

Whether you are communicating with experts in a particular field or a general audience, the ability to paraphrase ensures that the information is conveyed in a way that resonates with and is comprehensible to your readers. This skill not only facilitates effective communication but also demonstrates your awareness of the diverse needs of your audience.

Improves Writing Skills

Paraphrasing helps in the development and refinement of your writing skills. When you actively engage in the process of rephrasing someone else’s ideas, you hone your ability to express concepts in a clear, concise, and coherent manner.

This practice refines your language proficiency, encouraging you to explore different types of sentence structure, experiment with vocabulary, and ultimately develop a more sophisticated and nuanced writing style.

As you paraphrase, you gain a heightened awareness of grammar, syntax, and word choice. This translates into improved writing, helping you construct well-articulated sentences and paragraphs. Moreover, paraphrasing allows you to experiment with different writing tones and adapt your style to suit the context or purpose of your writing, fostering versatility and adaptability in your expression.

Saves Time and Energy

Paraphrasing can significantly reduce the time and energy spent on the writing process. Rather than grappling with the challenge of integrating lengthy direct quotations or struggling to find the perfect synonym, paraphrasing allows you to distill and convey information in a more streamlined way.

This becomes particularly advantageous when faced with strict deadlines. By mastering paraphrasing, you empower yourself to produce well-crafted, original content in a shorter timeframe, allowing you to meet deadlines without compromising the quality of your work.

Examples of Paraphrasing

Here are some examples of paraphrasing:

• Original:  “The advancements in technology have revolutionized the way we communicate with each other.”
• Paraphrased:  “Technological progress has transformed how we interact and communicate with one another.”
• Original:  “Deforestation poses a significant threat to global ecosystems and biodiversity.”
• Paraphrased:  “The impact of deforestation represents a substantial danger to ecosystems and the diversity of life on a global scale.”
• Original:  “Effective time management is essential for achieving productivity in both professional and personal spheres.”
• Paraphrased:  “Efficient management of time is crucial for attaining productivity in both professional and personal aspects of life.”
• Original:  “The restaurant offers a diverse selection of culinary choices, ranging from traditional dishes to modern fusion cuisine.”
• Paraphrased:  “The restaurant provides a variety of food options, including both traditional and modern fusion dishes.”
• Original:  “The novel explores the complexities of human relationships in a rapidly changing society.”
• Paraphrased:  “The book delves into the challenges of human connections in a fast-changing world.”
• Original:  “Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining optimal physical health and preventing various health issues.”
• Paraphrased:  “Exercising regularly is important for keeping your body healthy and avoiding health problems.”

In these examples, you can observe the use of different wording, sentence structure, and synonyms while preserving the core meaning of the original sentences. This is the essence of paraphrasing.

What Are the Differences Between Paraphrasing, Quoting, and Summarizing?

So, we’ve established that successful paraphrasing is a way of rewriting someone else’s words whilst retaining their meaning and still giving credit to the original author’s ideas. But how is this different from quoting and summarizing?

While paraphrasing, quoting, and summarizing are all ways of incorporating information from source material into your own writing, there are key differences between them:

Paraphrasing

• Definition:  Paraphrasing involves rephrasing someone else’s ideas or information in your own words while retaining the original meaning.
• Usage:  You use paraphrasing when you want to present the information in a way that suits your writing style or when you need to clarify complex ideas.
• Example:  Original: “The study found a significant correlation between sleep deprivation and decreased cognitive performance.” Paraphrased: “The research indicated a notable link between lack of sleep and a decline in cognitive function.”
• Definition:  Quoting involves directly using the exact words from a source and enclosing them in quotation marks.
• Usage:  You use quoting when the original wording is essential, either because of its precision or uniqueness, or when you want to highlight a specific phrase or concept.
• Example:  Original: “The author argues, ‘In the absence of clear guidelines, individual judgment becomes paramount in decision-making.'”

The use of quotation marks is vital when quoting.

Summarizing

• Definition:  Summarizing involves condensing the main ideas of a source or original passage in your own words, focusing on the most crucial points.
• Usage:  You use summarizing when you need to provide a concise overview of a longer piece of text or when you want to capture the key points without including all the details.
• Example:  Original: A lengthy article discussing various factors influencing climate change. Summary: “The article outlines key factors contributing to climate change, including human activities and natural processes.”

In summary, paraphrasing is about expressing someone else’s ideas in your own words, quoting involves directly using the original words, and summarizing is about condensing the main points of a source.

Each technique serves different purposes in writing and should be used based on your specific goals and the nature of the information you are incorporating. If you want to level up your writing skills you need to be able to do all three of these.

Conclusion (In Our Own Words)

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill with numerous benefits. It helps you understand complex ideas, refine your writing style, and demonstrate ethical information use. It also allows you to tailor information for different audiences and can save time in academic and professional writing.

So, if you want to incorporate information from external sources into your writing in a way that is clear, concise, and respectful of the original author’s work, it’s worth mastering the art of paraphrasing.

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• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Paraphrase

I. What is a Paraphrase?

A paraphrase (pronounced par – uh -freyz) is a restatement or rewording of a paragraph  or text,  in order to borrow, clarify, or expand on information without plagiarizing. Paraphrasing is an important tool to use when writing research papers, essays , and pieces of journalism.

II. Examples of Paraphrasing

For examples of paraphrasing, consider these possible re-wordings of the same statement:

She angered me with her inappropriate comments, rumor-spreading, and disrespectfulness at the formal dinner table.

She made me angry when she was rude at dinner.

This paraphrase is an example of a rewording which shortens and simplifies while maintaining the same meaning.

Her impoliteness, gossiping, and general lack of respect at dinner infuriated me.

This rephrasing maintains the same meaning but is rearranged in a creative way.

I was mad when she started spreading rumors, making inappropriate comments, and disrespecting other guests at our dinner.

Another paraphrase, this rewording properly and interestingly rearranges the information provided in the original sentence.

III. Types of Paraphrasing

A. change of parts of speech.

Parts of speech ranging from verbs and nouns to adjectives and adverbs are replaced with new parts of speech in this type of paraphrasing. Here is an example:

Original Sentence:

The boy quickly ran across the finish line, seizing yet another victory.

Paraphrase:

The quick boy seized yet another victory when he ran across the finish line.

In this example, many parts of speech are changed: the adverb quickly becomes the adjective quick, and the verb phrase with the gerund seizing becomes the verb seized.

B.  Change of Structure

This type of paraphrasing involves changing the sentence’s structure, sometimes creating a passive voice from an active voice and vice versa. The change in structure can be used to reflect the writer’s interpretation of the original quote. Here is an example of change of structure paraphrasing:

Puppies were adopted by numerous kind souls at the puppy drive.

Many kind souls adopted puppies during the puppy drive.

In this example, the object of the sentence (kind souls) becomes the subject with an active voice (adopted) rather than a passive voice (were adopted).

C. Reduction of Clauses

Reduction of clauses paraphrases reduce the number of clauses in a sentence, which can be interruptive or confusing, by incorporating the phrases into the sentence. Here is an example of reduction of clauses paraphrasing:

While I understand where you’re coming from, and truly respect your opinion, I wish you would express yourself more clearly, like Clara does.

I understand where you’re coming from and respect your opinion, but I wish you would be more like Clara and express yourself more clearly.

D. Synonym Replacement

Synonym replacement paraphrasing is one of the simplest forms of paraphrasing: replacing words with similar words, or synonyms. Here is an example:

The older citizens were honored with a parade for those once in the military.

Senior citizens were honored with a march for veterans.

In this example, many synonyms are used: older citizens are senior citizens, a parade becomes a march, and those once in the military refers to veterans.

IV. The Importance of Using Paraphrase

Paraphrasing is a way of referencing a source without directly quoting it or of further explaining a selected quote. Correct paraphrasing is important in that poor paraphrasing can result in accusations of plagiarism, or copying from a source without correctly citing it. Paraphrasing allows writers to examine the meaning of others’ work, creatively rephrase their statements, and craft information to suit an essay or composition’s goal or focus.

V. Paraphrase in Literature

Paraphrasing can be found in a variety of journalistic sources from newspapers to film documentaries to literary journals. Here are a few examples of paraphrasing in literature:

Someone once wrote that musicians are touched on the shoulder by God, and I think it’s true. You can make other people happy with music, but you can make yourself happy too.

In John Berendt’s nonfiction novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil , a character references what someone has once written by paraphrasing their message.

I’m going to paraphrase Thoreau here… rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness… give me truth.

In this example from the nonfiction novel Into the Wild , Jon Krakauer paraphrases Thoreau’s larger message of transcendence.

So far, Laurance’s critiques of new road-building schemes have been well received, but he expects that to change.

In Michelle Nijhuis’ article “What Roads Have Wrought,” William Laurance is paraphrased rather than quoted to express his general viewpoint.

VI. Paraphrase in Pop Culture

Paraphrasing is often found in pop culture when attempting to translate the language of older plays, poems, and stories, such as Shakespeare’s works. Here are a few examples of paraphrasing in pop culture:

10 Things I Hate About You (1999):

Just a minor encounter with the shrew… the mewling, rampalian wretch herself.

In the modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew , many characters ’ lines paraphrase Shakespeare’s originals. Here is Shakespeare’s version:

A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew.

A Different World: Romeo, Oh Romeo

First, the student reads Shakespeare’s original words:

Oh gentle Romeo. If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully. Or if thou thinkest I’m too quickly won, I’ll frown and be perverse and say thee nay, so thou wilt woo.

Then, she paraphrases to translate its meaning for modern ears:

It’s all about translation. Oh, sweet thang Romeo. If you think I’m all that, then step to me correctly. But if you think I’m a skeeze, I’ll be dissin’ and dismissin’, then you’ll be workin’ overtime getting’ me back.

VII. Related Terms

Like paraphrases, summaries are rewordings of original statements. Whereas paraphrases are precise and specific, summaries are brief and selective. Summaries report main points in a shortened version of the original, whereas paraphrases simply restate the original statement in a new way. Here is an example of summary versus paraphrase:

Original Statement:

At the party we had delicious red punch, a bunch of different appetizers, and a cookout. Since it was at the park, we played volleyball, went swimming, and sunbathed for fun.

At the party we enjoyed food and drink and various outdoor activities.

Here, the summary purposefully shortens the original statement while covering its major points.

At the party we drank some punch, ate a handful of appetizers, and had a cookout. The park allowed us to enjoy a number of enjoyable activities from volleyball to swimming to sunbathing.

As this example shows, the paraphrase rephrases the original statement and keeps more of its original content than the summary.

Translation

Although paraphrase sometimes translates difficult phrasing into more understandable phrasing, it is not literally considered translation. For something to be a translation, it must change writing in one language to another language. Here is an example of translation versus paraphrasing:

Original Phrase:

That’s life.

Translation into French:

C’est la vie.

That’s just how life goes sometimes.

Although we loosely may refer to paraphrase as translating ideas, technically it is not a tool of translation.

VIII. In Closing

Paraphrasing is an important tool for nonfiction writers, journalists, and essayists alike. It is a common proponent of news and reporting. Correct paraphrasing protects writers from plagiarism and allows them to creatively rephrase original works, incorporating them into their own compositions.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

Discover top guides, trends, tips and expertise from AIO Writers

Learn How to Paraphrase Content Like a Pro

Julia McCoy

Paraphrasing is like giving a fresh makeover to someone else’s words or ideas while retaining the original meaning. It’s a super useful skill, whether you’re a student trying to avoid plagiarism or a professional writer looking to express something more clearly.

Learning how to paraphrase effectively means understanding the original text thoroughly. Read it several times to grasp the key points. Then, put the original text away, and in your own words, explain what you’ve understood from it. Try to express the same ideas using different words, sentence structures, and maybe even a different order of ideas.

But remember, you’re not adding or subtracting any new concepts; you’re just giving it a fresh twist.

As the old adage goes, practice makes perfect. The more you practice how to paraphrase, the better you’ll get at it. It’s a valuable skill for academic writing, summarizing articles, or even just explaining a complex concept to a friend in a simpler way.

Let’s look at some practical techniques and examples of how to paraphrase even the most complex text into easy-to-understand content.

Table Of Contents:

What is paraphrasing, paraphrasing vs. quoting, paraphrasing vs. summarizing, acknowledging, changing focus, how to paraphrase: 5 easy steps, 2. quillbot, 3. wordtune, 5. paraphraser.io, plagiarism and citation, what is an example of a paraphrase, what are the 3 steps to paraphrasing a text.

When you’re trying to learn what is grammar , paraphrasing should be on your radar.

The art of paraphrasing is a key writing skill. At its core, it’s about expressing someone else’s ideas in your own unique words.

But let me tell you something surprising: this isn’t just some simple task of swapping out one word for another. It’s more like a complex dance where you’re trying to match the rhythm and style of an original text, while also adding your own flair.

Paraphrasing plays a crucial role not just in maintaining academic integrity but also in ensuring SEO content ranks well. You see, when we directly copy someone else’s work without giving them credit, that’s called plagiarism . Professors don’t want that. Google doesn’t want that.

To avoid the unsavory pitfall of duplicate content, we use different words or phrases to express the same meaning as the original text.

In fact, according to my experience working with students and writers over the years, paraphrasing is usually preferred over direct quotes because it demonstrates understanding rather than simply repeating what has been said.

Here’s something to think about: Would Picasso have become renowned if he’d copied every stroke from Monet? Nope. He took inspiration from others but put his spin on things too. That’s what paraphrasing is all about.

Definition of paraphrase from Scribbr

As a writer, it’s crucial to know when to paraphrase and when to quote. This knowledge can significantly enhance the quality of your writing while avoiding issues of plagiarism.

Why paraphrase?

• Fosters understanding: Paraphrasing helps ensure that you truly understand the source material as it requires deep comprehension before expressing the idea differently.
• Maintains flow: Direct quotes might disrupt the flow of your content, especially if they use language or style different from yours. By paraphrasing, you maintain consistency in tone and style throughout your piece.
• Avoids plagiarism: Knowing how to paraphrase correctly lets you pick up others’ ideas without plagiarizing their work.

Direct quotations should be done sparingly but it does have a place in writing under these circumstances:

• Precision: If precision is necessary and altering wording could change meaning or impact – such as with statistics, definitions, laws, or direct statements – quoting ensures accuracy.
• Credibility: Direct quotes from experts in relevant fields can boost credibility by providing authoritative support for arguments made within the text.
• Authority: If the person quoted has significant authority or relevance to your content, using their exact words can add weight to your points.

Understanding when and how to paraphrase or quote is a vital part of producing high-quality content. By mastering these skills, you will be able to create engaging and original material that resonates with readers while respecting intellectual property rights.

Paraphrasing and summarizing are two distinct techniques that serve unique purposes in your writing. How are they different and when should you use them?

Paraphrasing: Paraphrasing involves taking a specific passage from a source and rewording it to fit into your own narrative or argument. The length of a paraphrased section usually mirrors that of the original text, albeit sometimes slightly shorter.

To master this technique, you need to have excellent comprehension skills and be able to retain core ideas while altering sentence structure and vocabulary without changing meaning. Resources such as Purdue Global ’s guide on how to paraphrase can provide useful tips for honing these skills.

Summarizing: On the other hand, summarization involves distilling longer pieces of writing down to their key points, resulting in content significantly shorter than the original version. Think about book reviews or abstracts at the start of academic papers.

This technique requires identifying overarching themes or arguments rather than focusing on detailed specifics within a piece. For instance, if you want more general information about an entire article rather than quoting specific details from it directly, then summarizing would be appropriate.

The choice between paraphrasing and summarizing depends largely on your objectives: do you wish to present precise data (paraphrase) or give an overview (summarize)?

Both tools play crucial roles in presenting sourced information effectively within any form of written communication – from essays through blog posts to business reports.

Types of Paraphrasing

There are three primary types of paraphrasing based on the intent of the writer: acknowledging, organizing, and changing focus.

This type of paraphrasing serves the purpose of demonstrating your comprehension, typically when you’re aiming to respond to a question. If you find yourself struggling to rephrase the information in a clear and straightforward manner, it’s a sign that you might need to put in some extra effort.

This method is all about simplifying a sequence of ideas or events, providing a broader overview with fewer details. Picture it as creating a numbered list or an outline that guides you through the information from start to finish, helping you organize it neatly.

Paraphrasing isn’t just about changing words; it’s about altering the focus of the information. You can make it more abstract and big-picture or hone in on the concrete specifics. This versatility in paraphrasing can help you connect with diverse audiences by tailoring the information to resonate with them more effectively.

All these forms of paraphrasing are invaluable tools for content creators, allowing them to adapt and reframe existing information in ways that resonate with their audiences. As you continue your journey into the world of content creation, mastering these types will help ensure your work is both engaging and effective.

The Four R’s of Paraphrasing

The key to how to paraphrase effectively is to follow the four R’s: Rewrite, Rearrange, Realize, and Recheck.

The first step in effective paraphrasing is to look for words or phrases that closely mimic the original text. Replace any instances that appear overly similar in your paraphrase, paying particular attention to lengthy or less common terminology.

Rearranging the structure of a sentence can transform its tone, style, and overall clarity. Consider relocating clauses within the sentence, testing both at the beginning and the end, to discover fresh ways to make your writing more engaging and comprehensible.

Certain words may be immovable. When dealing with specific, unalterable details like city names or dates, your best bet is to work around that and possibly use quotation marks. In such cases, maintaining originality is paramount to steer clear of unintentional plagiarism.

Lastly, recheck your work. This involves going over your writing again to ensure that it aligns well with the ideas you’re paraphrasing and citing. It’s always beneficial to revise a few times more for quality assurance.

Paraphrasing is a crucial skill in academic writing and content creation. It allows you to incorporate the ideas of others into your work while maintaining your own unique voice and style. However, paraphrasing must be done correctly to avoid plagiarism.

To start with, let’s understand what paraphrasing entails — it involves rewriting someone else’s text in a way that changes the wording but retains the original meaning. It’s not about copying verbatim or changing just a few words here and there. It requires comprehension of the source material and the ability to express those concepts differently.

Here’s a 5-step guide on how to paraphrase correctly.

Step 1: Read through the original text several times, ensuring you fully comprehend its meaning.

Step 2: Jot down key points from the passage so that you capture the core ideas rather than specific language choices used by the author.

Step 3: Use these notes as a guide for crafting your own version of this information without looking at it. Use synonyms and different sentence structures, change sentences in the passive voice into the active voice, and break down long sentences or combine shorter ones, all while preserving the original intent.

Step 4: Compare the paraphrased text to the original. If you find phrases that are too similar, make changes.

Step 5: Always cite the source of your text even after paraphrasing it to avoid violating plagiarism rules. For more on how to properly attribute written work, check out this comprehensive guide on citation styles .

Best Paraphrasing Tools

If you need help with paraphrasing, there are plenty of tools out there that can automatically do this for you. Here are five paraphrasing apps that we have tested along with their paraphrasing examples.

Content at Scale’s AIMEE chatbot offers plenty of options for paraphrasing your content. It can summarize your sentences, improve them, make them shorter or longer, or change their tone of voice.

You can also ask AIMEE to simplify the language or even rewrite sentences to make them undetectable and pass all AI detectors out there.

Quillbot is a popular paraphrasing and grammar-checking tool. It’s designed to help users rephrase sentences, paragraphs, or entire documents while retaining the original meaning. QuillBot uses artificial intelligence and natural language processing algorithms to suggest alternative wordings and structures to improve the clarity and fluency of written content.

Simply paste your original source into the input box and select from seven different modes depending on your desired level of fluency and creativity.

Wordtune is an AI writing tool that can paraphrase your writing. First, it analyzes your text to understand its meaning and context and then generates a list of possible rewrites for each sentence. These rewrites can include different words, phrases, and sentence structures.

Wordtune also offers a variety of “spices” that can be used to modify the tone or style of your writing. For example, you can use the “casual” spice to make your writing more informal, or the “formal” spice to make it more professional.

To use Wordtune, simply copy and paste your source text into the editor and click the “Rewrite” button. Wordtune will then generate a list of suggestions for you to choose from. You can also use the “Slider” to control how much Wordtune should rewrite your text.

The Scribbr Paraphrase Checker is a free online tool that helps you paraphrase text in your own words. It uses artificial intelligence to identify the original meaning of the text and then generate new sentences that convey the same meaning. The paraphraser also provides suggestions for synonyms and other ways to rephrase the text.

The Scribbr Paraphrase Checker is a helpful tool for students and researchers who need to paraphrase text without plagiarizing. It can also be used by writers who want to improve the clarity and fluency of their writing.

To use the Scribbr Paraphrase Checker, simply copy and paste the original work you want to paraphrase into the tool. The tool will then generate a new version of the text in a few seconds. You can then review the paraphrased text and make any necessary changes.

Paraphraser.io is an online paraphrasing tool that uses artificial intelligence to rewrite text in a different way while preserving its original meaning. It is a free tool that can be used to paraphrase sentences, paragraphs, articles, and even long blogs.

Paraphraser.io has several features that make it a powerful tool for paraphrasing text. These features include:

• Synonym replacement: Paraphraser.io replaces words in the original text with synonyms to create a new version of the text.
• Sentence restructuring: Paraphraser.io changes the structure of sentences in the original text to create a new version of the text.
• Paraphrasing modes: Paraphraser.io offers several paraphrasing modes, each of which produces a different style of paraphrased text.
• Plagiarism checker: Paraphraser.io has a plagiarism checker that can be used to check if the paraphrased text is plagiarized.

Paraphraser.io is a useful tool for students, writers, and anyone who needs to paraphrase text. However, it is important to note that Paraphraser.io is not a perfect tool and it is not always able to generate paraphrased text that is completely original. It is always best to review the paraphrased text carefully to make sure that it is accurate and original.

All these tools have user-friendly interfaces and provide efficient results. However, it’s important to proofread the output for any possible inaccuracies or awkward phrasing. Remember, paraphrasing tools are aids; they can’t replace human understanding and intuition in writing.

Citing your source isn’t just a formality – it’s an essential part of writing integrity. But let’s face it, citation formats can be tricky to remember. That’s where citation generators come in handy.

Citation generators, as their name suggests, help generate citations when citing paraphrased material or any other content that isn’t yours originally. They’re quick, they’re accurate (most of the time), and best of all, they save you from tedious manual work.

The rule is straightforward: every time you paraphrase something – cite it. Even though the words are now different after being put through your unique perspective filter, the idea still belongs to someone else.

By crediting them properly with a well-crafted citation generator’s assistance, you will be able to avoid plagiarizing original quoted material.

FAQs – How to Paraphrase

A paraphrase could turn “The boy jumped high” into “The youngster leaped skyward.”

It’s the same idea but with different words and phrasing.

• Read the original text and understand its core message.
• Write down the main points from memory.
• Change the structure of the text by experimenting with different openings, word orders, and sentence lengths.

So, you’ve now navigated the art of how to paraphrase . You’ve discovered why it’s vital in content writing and how it differs from quoting or summarizing.

You’ve explored techniques for effective paraphrasing and learned how to maintain the original meaning while changing sentence structure and word choice. This is a skill that will come handy time after time.

We touched on plagiarism – remember always to cite your sources!

We delved into strategies like using active voice and citation generators – all designed to help you master this essential tool.

So read carefully, understand deeply, and rewrite creatively! That’s paraphrasing done right.

Written by Julia McCoy

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Dance idioms: Playful idioms about dancing, with descriptions

English is a very passionate language and using idioms is a great way to help highlight your point or meaning. These fun dance idioms will really help strengthen your conversation skills, and we have included definitions and examples for each one so you can understand how they are used.

Idioms are so often used in English, it’s important you understand what they are . But for now, put on your dancing shoes and explore these popular idioms about dancing.

Dance idioms

All singing, all dancing.

If you want to say that something or someone has everything, every feature, or can do everything, you may say it or they are all singing all dancing .

“This university has it all. It’s all singing, all dancing.” “When I get my kitchen re-fitted, I want it to be all singing, all dancing.”

If you are looking for other idioms like this, then why not try some music idioms too.

Dance cheek to cheek

People who dance cheek to cheek are doing a passionate or romantic dance. Although their cheeks (the fleshy part on the side of your face) may not be actually touching, they will be very close together.

“It was so romantic to see them dancing cheek to cheek at their 50th anniversary party.”

Give it a whirl

It’s always a great idea to try something new. Perhaps you’ve never tried ice skating or rock climbing. If this is the case, a friend may encourage you to give it a whirl – meaning to try it out.

“I know you’ve never done it before but just give it a whirl.”

How is this related to dance? A ‘whirl’ is also the action of spinning around.

Dancing on air

This is a positive dance idiom; dancing on air describes a state of extreme happiness.

“Ever since the offer was accepted on the house they have been dancing on air.”

This is used in a similar way to walking on cloud nine . You can read more about these and other happiness idioms here .

It takes two to tango

Some idioms about dancing do relate directly to dance styles, and this is one of them. Tango is a romantic, passionate dance performed by a couple. It can’t be danced alone.

When we say ‘ it takes two to tango ‘, we’re suggesting that both or all involved in a situation or argument are equally responsible for it.

“Lucy is blaming Elijah, but it takes two to tango.”

Drag your heels

If you drag your heels it means you are moving very slowly or procrastinating on a task you need to do. If someone else is in a rush, they may accuse you of dragging your heels.

“We are running so late, please don’t drag your heels.”

This expression, and the few that follow, all include body parts. There are plenty of other fun body part idioms for you to explore as well.

Foot loose and fancy free

This is another one of the happy, positive dance idioms for situations when you don’t have a worry in the world.

To be foot loose and fancy free means you don’t have attachments and can do as you please. It’s normally said in reference to the lack of a romantic relationship, but not always.

“I can’t wait to be foot loose and fancy free when I take a year’s sabbatical.” “Natasha was feeling foot loose and fancy free after her divorce was finalized.”

Have two left feet

Not all dance idioms are about graceful, coordinated dancing. If someone says you have two left feet , it means you are not a very good dancer.

“When I started dancing I had two left feet, but I have improved a lot.” “No way am I dancing with Leon at the party; he has two left feet!”

Keep someone on their toes

This idiom about dancing alludes to the fact that ballerinas like to dance on their toes.

If someone keeps you on your toes , they make you stay alert because you never quite know what they are going to do next. You must be ready to react at a moment’s notice.

“Our new baby is really keeping us on our toes.”

Get your groove on

When we talk about a ‘groove’ in the context of dance, we mean your own personal movement in time with the music. The expression get your groove on means to really enjoy yourself while dancing (or attempting to dance, at least!).

“Have a great night and just get your groove on.”

We can also talk about getting in the groove and in this case it’s more about the rhythm of your life; having a good pace and style and things being just right.

“I’m just getting in the groove with my new job, and I love it!”

You may have heard the word ‘groove’ as part of the title to the hit 1998 romantic comedy How Stella got her Groove Back . Hopefully now it makes more sense.

More idioms about dancing

Lead someone on a merry dance.

To lead someone on a merry dance isn’t a nice thing to do. It means you have not treated them well for a long period of time, perhaps through misleading them or tricking them.

“I really trusted them but they led me on a merry dance.” “Sounds like Danny has been leading John on a merry dance all this time.”

Out of step

When performing as a group, all dancers should be stepping to the same beat. When you are out of step you aren’t following or conforming with what others are doing. This may sometimes be a good thing but more often than not it is a bad thing.

“Our manager is a bit old-fashioned. He’s really out of step with the needs of his team.”

My dance card is full

Some idioms about dancing date back many years, and you may not hear this one often. To say my dance card is full is to simply say that you are busy and unable to make an appointment or date. This is normally used in relation to romantic dates.

“I would love to see you but next Monday my dance card is full. How about Tuesday?”

We have another page with some more useful expressions for making plans in the future .

Make a song and dance about it

Many dance idioms can be used in both the positive and negative forms, but this expression would normally be used in a negative sentence structure (like in the examples below).

We can say this when something happens that is bad, but not really significant, so there is no point making a big fuss over it. You don’t need to make a song and dance about it .

“Ok, ok, ok. I fell over. It was funny, but let’s not make a song and dance about it.” “There’s no need to make a song and dance about every good grade you get.”

Step out of line

In some traditional dances, dancers perform in unity in a line. In this case, to step out of line would be seen as inappropriate or disrespectful. This dancing idiom can be used to describe rude, disrespectful or disobedient behavior.

“It’s best you just do as they say and don’t step out of line.” “Anyone who steps out of line on this matter will be disciplined.”

Strut your stuff

Strutting is a confident, bold way of walking. When you’re told to strut your stuff , it isn’t necessarily an instruction about how to walk or dance; it’s more about behaving in a confident, proud way in order to impress others.

“I am loving your new outfit. You should strut your stuff tonight at the office party.”

Check out some more fashion and clothes idioms for other ways to describe someone who is looking great.

Although this dance saying seems simple enough, it’s not actually referring to just dancing slowly. A slow dance means a romantic dance in which you hold your partner close and sway in time to the music, sometimes turning slowly.

“I was so embarrassed that he asked me for a slow dance!”

Dance the night away

When you go out for the night and are having a great time, you may feel you want to keep dancing all night. And this is what dance the night away means.

“I am having so much fun I might just dance the night away.”

If this sounds like you, you might also enjoy these party idioms !

Step on someone’s toes

If your intention is to help someone but you end up interfering or upsetting them, we could say you are stepping on their toes .

“I wish my mother-in-law would stop stepping on my toes as I’m decorating our house.” “I’m happy to help but I don’t want to step on your toes.”

Sweep someone off their feet

Here’s another one of the romantic dance idioms. To sweep someone off their feet is to do something to charm or impress that person to make them fall in love with you quickly.

“We meet 50 years ago and he swept me off my feet.” “What can I do to sweep Julia off her feet?”

If you wish to talk about falling in love then there are some great love idioms to learn.

To describe music as upbeat or enjoyable you may say it is a good toe-tapper . This suggests you were enjoying it so much that you started moving your toes or foot up and down in time with the music.

“I got all excited listening to their new song. It was quite the top-tapper.”

Let’s hope that all this talk of dancing hasn’t left you out of breath. Which dance idioms did you like? Leave a comment and let us know if any of them swept you off your feet.

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Definition of paraphrase verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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• How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

Published on 8 April 2022 by Courtney Gahan and Jack Caulfield. Revised on 15 May 2023.

Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas into your own words. Paraphrasing a source involves changing the wording while preserving the original meaning.

Paraphrasing is an alternative to  quoting (copying someone’s exact words and putting them in quotation marks ). In academic writing, it’s usually better to paraphrase instead of quoting. It shows that you have understood the source, reads more smoothly, and keeps your own voice front and center.

Every time you paraphrase, it’s important to cite the source . Also take care not to use wording that is too similar to the original. Otherwise, you could be at risk of committing plagiarism .

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Table of contents

How to paraphrase in five easy steps, how to paraphrase correctly, examples of paraphrasing, how to cite a paraphrase, paraphrasing vs quoting, paraphrasing vs summarising, avoiding plagiarism when you paraphrase, frequently asked questions about paraphrasing.

If you’re struggling to get to grips with the process of paraphrasing, check out our easy step-by-step guide in the video below.

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Putting an idea into your own words can be easier said than done. Let’s say you want to paraphrase the text below, about population decline in a particular species of sea snails.

Incorrect paraphrasing

You might make a first attempt to paraphrase it by swapping out a few words for  synonyms .

Like other sea creatures inhabiting the vicinity of highly populated coasts, horse conchs have lost substantial territory to advancement and contamination , including preferred breeding grounds along mud flats and seagrass beds. Their Gulf home is also heating up due to global warming , which scientists think further puts pressure on the creatures , predicated upon the harmful effects extra warmth has on other large mollusks (Barnett, 2022).

This attempt at paraphrasing doesn’t change the sentence structure or order of information, only some of the word choices. And the synonyms chosen are poor:

• ‘Advancement and contamination’ doesn’t really convey the same meaning as ‘development and pollution’.
• Sometimes the changes make the tone less academic: ‘home’ for ‘habitat’ and ‘sea creatures’ for ‘marine animals’.
• Adding phrases like ‘inhabiting the vicinity of’ and ‘puts pressure on’ makes the text needlessly long-winded.
• Global warming is related to climate change, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing.

Because of this, the text reads awkwardly, is longer than it needs to be, and remains too close to the original phrasing. This means you risk being accused of plagiarism .

Correct paraphrasing

Let’s look at a more effective way of paraphrasing the same text.

Here, we’ve:

• Only included the information that’s relevant to our argument (note that the paraphrase is shorter than the original)
• Retained key terms like ‘development and pollution’, since changing them could alter the meaning
• Structured sentences in our own way instead of copying the structure of the original
• Started from a different point, presenting information in a different order

Because of this, we’re able to clearly convey the relevant information from the source without sticking too close to the original phrasing.

Explore the tabs below to see examples of paraphrasing in action.

• Journal article
• Newspaper article
• Magazine article

Once you have your perfectly paraphrased text, you need to ensure you credit the original author. You’ll always paraphrase sources in the same way, but you’ll have to use a different type of in-text citation depending on what citation style you follow.

Generate accurate citations with Scribbr

It’s a good idea to paraphrase instead of quoting in most cases because:

• Paraphrasing shows that you fully understand the meaning of a text
• Your own voice remains dominant throughout your paper
• Quotes reduce the readability of your text

But that doesn’t mean you should never quote. Quotes are appropriate when:

• Giving a precise definition
• Saying something about the author’s language or style (e.g., in a literary analysis paper)
• Providing evidence in support of an argument
• Critiquing or analysing a specific claim

A paraphrase puts a specific passage into your own words. It’s typically a similar length to the original text, or slightly shorter.

When you boil a longer piece of writing down to the key points, so that the result is a lot shorter than the original, this is called summarising .

Paraphrasing and quoting are important tools for presenting specific information from sources. But if the information you want to include is more general (e.g., the overarching argument of a whole article), summarising is more appropriate.

When paraphrasing, you have to be careful to avoid accidental plagiarism .

Students frequently use paraphrasing tools , which can be especially helpful for non-native speakers who might have trouble with academic writing. While these can be useful for a little extra inspiration, use them sparingly while maintaining academic integrity.

This can happen if the paraphrase is too similar to the original quote, with phrases or whole sentences that are identical (and should therefore be in quotation marks). It can also happen if you fail to properly cite the source.

To make sure you’ve properly paraphrased and cited all your sources, you could elect to run a plagiarism check before submitting your paper.

To paraphrase effectively, don’t just take the original sentence and swap out some of the words for synonyms. Instead, try:

• Reformulating the sentence (e.g., change active to passive , or start from a different point)
• Combining information from multiple sentences into one
• Leaving out information from the original that isn’t relevant to your point
• Using synonyms where they don’t distort the meaning

The main point is to ensure you don’t just copy the structure of the original text, but instead reformulate the idea in your own words.

Paraphrasing without crediting the original author is a form of plagiarism , because you’re presenting someone else’s ideas as if they were your own.

However, paraphrasing is not plagiarism if you correctly reference the source . This means including an in-text referencing and a full reference , formatted according to your required citation style (e.g., Harvard , Vancouver ).

As well as referencing your source, make sure that any paraphrased text is completely rewritten in your own words.

Plagiarism means using someone else’s words or ideas and passing them off as your own. Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas into your own words.

So when does paraphrasing count as plagiarism?

• Paraphrasing is plagiarism if you don’t properly credit the original author.
• Paraphrasing is plagiarism if your text is too close to the original wording (even if you cite the source). If you directly copy a sentence or phrase, you should quote it instead.
• Paraphrasing  is not plagiarism if you put the author’s ideas completely into your own words and properly reference the source .

To present information from other sources in academic writing , it’s best to paraphrase in most cases. This shows that you’ve understood the ideas you’re discussing and incorporates them into your text smoothly.

It’s appropriate to quote when:

• Changing the phrasing would distort the meaning of the original text
• You want to discuss the author’s language choices (e.g., in literary analysis )
• You’re presenting a precise definition
• You’re looking in depth at a specific claim

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

Gahan, C. & Caulfield, J. (2023, May 15). How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 21 May 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/working-sources/paraphrasing/

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Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet Shakescleare Translation

Romeo and Juliet Translation Act 1, Scene 5

PETER and other SERVINGMEN enter, carrying napkins.

Where’s Potpan, that he helps not to take away? He shift a trencher? He scrape a trencher!

Where’s Potpan, who’s not helping us clear the table? Has he even moved or scraped a plate?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

When good manners shall lie all in one or two men’s hands, and they unwashed too, ’tis a foul thing.

When all the good manners are owned by just one or two men, and even those two are dirty, it’s a bad thing.

Away with the joint-stools, remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate. Good thou, save me a piece of marchpane, and, as thou loves me, let the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell.—Antony and Potpan!

Clear away the stools, sideboards, and plates. My friend, save me a piece of marzipan, and if you love me, have the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell. Antony and Potpan!

Everything you need for every book you read.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Ay, boy, ready.

Yes, boy, I’m ready.

You are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for, in the great chamber.

You’re being called for, asked after, and looked for in the great chamber.

We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly, boys. Be brisk a while, and the longer liver take all.

We can’t be both here and there at once! Be cheerful, boys. Be quick for a while, and may the longest lived take everything.

PETER and the SERVINGMEN come and go, setting forth tables and chairs.

PETER and the SERVINGMEN come and go as they set up tables and chairs.

Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes Unplagued with corns will walk a bout with you. Ah, my mistresses! Which of you all Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty, She, I’ll swear, hath corns. Am I come near ye now?— Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the day That I have worn a visor and could tell A whispering tale in a fair lady’s ear Such as would please. ‘Tis gone, ’tis gone, ’tis gone.— You are welcome, gentlemen.—Come, musicians, play. [Music plays and they dance] A hall, a hall, give room!—And foot it, girls.— More light, you knaves! And turn the tables up, And quench the fire. The room is grown too hot.— Ah, sirrah, this unlooked-for sport comes well.— Nay, sit, nay, sit, good cousin Capulet, For you and I are past our dancing days. How long is ’t now since last yourself and I Were in a mask?

Welcome, gentlemen. All the ladies who aren’t suffering from corns on their feet will dance with you. Ha ha! My ladies, now which of you will refuse to dance now? If any of you acts shyly, I’ll swear she has corns. Have I hit the mark? Welcome, gentlemen. Once there was a time when I could wear a mask and charm a girl by whispering a story in her ear. No more, no more, no more. You are welcome gentlemen. Come, musicians, play. [Music plays and they dance] Make room in the hall! Make room! Dance, girls. 

[To SERVINGMEN] More light. Move the tables out of the way. Put out the fire—it’s getting hot in here. 

[To his COUSIN] Ah, sir, these unexpected guests are welcome. No, sit, sit, my Capulet cousin. We’re too old to dance. How long has it been since you and I last wore masks?

CAPULETS’ COUSIN

By’r Lady, thirty years.

CAPULET'S COUSIN

By the Virgin Mary, I’d swear thirty years.

CAPULET enters with his cousin, TYBALT, LADY CAPULET, JULIET, The NURSE, and other Capulets. They meet ROMEO, BENVOLIO, MERCUTIO, and other guests and MASKERS

CAPULET enters with his cousin TYBALT, LADY CAPULET, JULIET, The NURSE, and other Capulets. They meet ROMEO, BENVOLIO, MERCUTIO, and other guests and MASKERS

What, man, ’tis not so much, ’tis not so much. ‘Tis since the nuptials of Lucentio, Come Pentecost as quickly as it will, Some five and twenty years, and then we masked.

What, man? It’s not been that long, not that long. It was at Lucentio’s wedding. No matter how quickly the years fly by, it’s been just twenty-five years since we last wore masks.

CAPULET’S COUSIN

‘Tis more, ’tis more. His son is elder, sir. His son is thirty.

Longer, longer. Lucentio’s son is older than that, sir. He’s thirty.

Will you tell me that? His son was but a ward two years ago.

How can you say that? His son was still a minor two years ago.

[To a SERVINGMAN] What lady is that which doth enrich the hand Of yonder knight?

[To a SERVINGMAN] Who is that girl on the arm of that man over there?

I know not, sir.

I don’t know, sir.

Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear, Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear. So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows As yonder lady o’er her fellows shows. The measure done, I’ll watch her place of stand, And, touching hers, make blessèd my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.

Oh, she teaches the torches to burn bright! She glows in the darkness like a jewel in the ear of an African. Her beauty is too good to be used and worn, too precious for this world. Like a white dove in a flock of crows, she surpasses all the other women. When this dance ends, I’ll note where she stands, and then I’ll touch her hand and thereby bless my ugly one. Did I ever love anyone before this moment? Renounce that love, my eyes! I never saw true beauty until this night.

This, by his voice, should be a Montague.— [To his PAGE] Fetch me my rapier, boy.— What, dares the slave Come hither, covered with an antic face, To fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.

By his voice I know that this man is a Montague. 

[To his PAGE] Get my sword, boy.

[To himself] How dare this punk come here with his face covered by a mask so he can mock and scorn our celebration? To defend the honor of my family, I don’t think it would be a sin to kill him.

Why, how now, kinsman? Wherefore storm you so?

What’s all this, nephew? Why are you so furious?

Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe, A villain that is hither come in spite To scorn at our solemnity this night.

Uncle, that is a Montague—our rival. He’s a rogue who’s come here out of spite to scorn our celebration.

Young Romeo is it?

It’s young Romeo, right?

‘Tis he, that villain Romeo.

That’s him, that villain Romeo.

Content thee, gentle coz. Let him alone. He bears him like a portly gentleman, And, to say truth, Verona brags of him To be a virtuous and well-governed youth. I would not for the wealth of all the town Here in my house do him disparagement. Therefore be patient. Take no note of him. It is my will, the which if thou respect, Show a fair presence and put off these frowns, An ill-beseeming semblance for a feast.

Calm yourself, gentle nephew . Leave him be. He holds himself like a gentleman of good manners, and, to be honest, everyone in Verona says that he is a virtuous and well-behaved youth. Not for all the wealth in this town would I insult him in my own house. Be calm. Pretend you never saw him . That is my command, and if you respect me, you’ll stop with all these frowns, which is no way to behave at a party.

It fits when such a villain is a guest. I’ll not endure him.

It’s the way to behave when a scoundrel like him shows up. I won’t stand him coming here.

He shall be endured. What, goodman boy! I say, he shall. Go to. Am I the master here, or you? Go to. You’ll not endure him! God shall mend my soul, You’ll make a mutiny among my guests. You will set cock-a-hoop. You’ll be the man!

You will stand him. What, boy? I say you will. Get out of here. Am I the master here, or you? Get out. You won’t stand him? God save my soul, you’ll start a riot among my guests! And you’ll crow like a rooster, like you’re the man!

Why, uncle, ’tis a shame.

But, uncle, we’re being dishonored.

Go to, go to. You are a saucy boy. Is ’t so, indeed? This trick may chance to scathe you, I know what. You must contrary me. Marry, ’tis time.— Well said, my hearts! —You are a princox, go. Be quiet, or —More light, more light! —For shame! I’ll make you quiet. —What, cheerly, my hearts!

Come on, come on. You’re an impertinent boy. Is that really how you think it is? This silliness is likely to come back to harm you. I know what I’m doing, but you feel the need to contradict me. Well, I’ll show you a thing or two. 

[ To the GUESTS] Well done, my dears! 

[To TYBALT] You’re an insolent boy, now go. Keep your mouth shut. 

[To SERVINGMEN] More light, more light! 

[To TYBALT]  You should be ashamed of yourself! I’ll make you be quiet. 

[To the GUESTS] Party on, my friends!

The music plays again, and the guests dance

The music plays again, and the guests dance.

Patience perforce with willful choler meeting Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting. I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall Now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall.

The blend of enforced restraint with my burning rage is making me tremble. I’ll leave. But I’ll make Romeo regret this prank, which at the moment seems to him like such great fun.

TYBALT exits.

[Taking JULIET’s hand] If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

[Taking JULIET’s hand] If I offend you by touching your holy hand with my own unworthy one, then my lips stand ready, like two blushing pilgrims, to smooth my rough touch with a gentle kiss. 

Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this, For saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers’ kiss.

Good pilgrim, you are unfair to your hand. Your hand shows proper devotion by touching mine, just as pilgrims reach out to touch the hands of saints. Holding palm to palm is like a pilgrim’s kiss.

Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?

Don’t saints have lips? And pilgrims, too?

Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.

Yes, pilgrim—lips they’re supposed to use to pray.

O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray; grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.

Oh, then, saint, let lips do what hands do: pray. Grant my prayer or my faith will turn to despair.

Saints do not move, though grant for prayers’ sake.

Saints don’t move, though they do grant prayers.

Then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take.

Then remain still while I pray.

He kisses her.

Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged.

Now your lips have cleaned the sin from mine.

Then have my lips the sin that they have took.

Then my lips now have the sin they took from yours.

Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again.

Sin from my lips? Oh, how you urge me on to another crime. Give me back my sin.

You kiss by th’ book.

You kiss as if you’ve studied how . 

They kiss again

They kiss again.

Madam, your mother craves a word with you.

Madam, your mother wants to speak with you.

JULIET moves away

JULIET moves away.

What is her mother?

Who is her mother?

Marry, bachelor, Her mother is the lady of the house, And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous. I nursed her daughter that you talked withal. I tell you, he that can lay hold of her Shall have the chinks.

Well, young man, her mother is the lady of the house. A good, wise, and virtuous lady. I nursed her daughter, who you were talking to just now. I tell you, the man who marries that girl will be rich.

[Aside] Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.

[To himself] Is she a Capulet? Oh, what a price I’ve paid! My life is now owned by my enemy.

[To ROMEO] Away, begone. The sport is at the best.

[To ROMEO] Let’s go, let’s go, now while everything is still perfect.

Ay, so I fear. The more is my unrest.

Yes, it is still perfect now. But I’m afraid it will never be perfect again.

Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone. We have a trifling foolish banquet towards.— Is it e’en so? Why, then, I thank you all. I thank you, honest gentlemen. Good night.— More torches here!—Come on then, let’s to bed. Ah, sirrah, by my fay, it waxes late. I’ll to my rest.

No, gentlemen, don’t leave now. We have a bit of dessert arriving any moment. [They whisper something to him] Is that so? Then, I thank you. I thank you, honest gentlemen. Good night. Bring more torches over here! Come on, let’s all get to bed. 

[To his COUSIN] Ah, good sir, by God, it’s late. I’m going sleep.

Everyone except JULIET and NURSE begins to exit.

Everyone except JULIET and the NURSE begins to exit.

Come hither, Nurse. What is yond gentleman?

Come here, nurse. Who is that gentleman over there?

The son and heir of old Tiberio.

What’s he that now is going out of door?

Who’s the one going out the door?

Marry, that, I think, be young Petruchio.

That, I think, is young Petruchio.

What’s he that follows here, that would not dance?

What about the one over there, who wouldn’t dance?

I know not.

I don’t know him.

Go ask his name.

Go ask him for his name.

The NURSE goes.

The NURSE exits.

If he be married. My grave is like to be my wedding bed.

[To herself]  If he’s married, I’d rather die than marry someone else.

[Returning] His name is Romeo, and a Montague, The only son of your great enemy.

[Returning] His name is Romeo. He’s a Montague. He’s the only son of your greatest enemy.

[Aside] My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, That I must love a loathèd enemy.

[To herself] The one man I love is the son of the one man I hate! I saw him before I knew who he was, and learned who he was too late! What a monster love is to make me love my worst enemy.

What’s this? What’s this?

A rhyme I learned even now Of one I danced withal.

A rhyme I learned just now from somebody I danced with.

Somebody calls “Juliet!” offstage.

Anon, anon. Come, let's away. The strangers are all gone.

On our way, on our way! Come along, let's go. The strangers have all left.

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Meaning of paraphrase in English

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• din something into someone
• drum something into someone
• flog yourself to death idiom
• labour the point idiom
• repetitively
• restatement
• I would take issue with your paraphrase of my position .
• She does not follow Shakespeare's text but has devised her own paraphrase of it.
• Allow me to end my first speech with my own paraphrase of the statement .

paraphrase | American Dictionary

Examples of paraphrase, translations of paraphrase.

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from one side of a country to another; all over a country

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Definition of paraphrase

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of paraphrase  (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

transitive verb

Did you know?

When we paraphrase, we provide a version that can exist beside the original (rather than replace it). We paraphrase all the time. When you tell a friend what someone else has said, you're almost always paraphrasing, since you're not repeating the exact words. If you go to hear a talk, you might paraphrase the speaker's main points afterward for your friends. And when writing a paper on a short story, you might start off your essay with a paraphrase of the plot. Paraphrasing is especially useful when dealing with poetry, since poetic language is often difficult and poems may have meanings that are hard to pin down.

• restatement
• translating
• translation

Examples of paraphrase in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paraphrase.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Noun and Verb

Middle French, from Latin paraphrasis , from Greek, from paraphrazein to paraphrase, from para- + phrazein to point out

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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Cite this Entry

“Paraphrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraphrase. Accessed 25 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of paraphrase.

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Dua Lipa’s New Barbie Song Is Fit for a Disco Dance Party

“Dance the Night” is full of Future Nostalgia vibes.

Lipa, who enchanted us with her dance-worthy 2020 album, is a perfect musical match for Barbie . The singer told Dazed that director Greta Gerwig said “that the whole film was inspired by disco. There’s a lot of very glittery and pop moments in it.” Just like Lipa's signature sound.

In addition to providing music for the summer blockbuster, Lipa also appears in the film as Mermaid Barbie. She admits that Gerwig's involvement is what drew her to the project. The director's “films never really feel like the male gaze. They have very interesting female protagonists,” Lipa told Dazed .

And while the exact plot of Barbie remains secret—even its star, Margot Robbie, is only sharing minor details —Lipa briefly weighed in on what to expect from the film.

“Barbie, the doll, has this idea of what perfection should be,” she told the magazine. “The film–and there’s a lot of diversity in the cast–is touching exactly on the buttons that maybe it presses, and shows a different story.”

Many more tunes for Barbie are also on the way. Barbie the Album is dropping in July 21, the same day as the film, featuring original songs from artists like Nicki Minaj, Ava Max, Charli Xcx, Dominic Fike, Dua Lipa, Fifty Fifty, Gayle, Haim, Ice Spice, Kali, Karol G, Khalid, Lizzo, Pinkpantheress, Ryan Gosling, Tame Impala, and The Kid Laroi. And yes, that seems to mean Ryan Gosling is releasing his own Barbie song, too.

Before we can dive into the album, take a listen to “Dance the Night” and read the full lyrics below:

Baby you can Find me under the lights Diamonds under my eyes Turn the rhythm up Don’t you wanna just Come along for the ride Oh my outfit so tight You can see my heart beat tonight I can take the heat Baby best believe That’s the moment I shine Cuz every romance Shakes and it bends Don’t give a damn When the nights here I don’t do tears Baby no chance I could dance, I could dance, I could dance Watch me, dance Dance the night away My heart could be burning but you won’t see it on my face Watch me, dance Dance the night away I’ll still keep the party running not one hair out of place Lately I’ve been Moving close to the edge Still be looking my best I stay on the beat You can count on me I ain’t missing no steps Cuz every romance Shakes and it bends Don’t give a damn When the nights here I don’t do tears Baby no chance I could dance, I could dance, I could dance Watch me, dance Dance the night away My heart could be burning but you won’t see it on my face Watch me, dance Dance the night away I’ll still keep the party running not one hair out of place When my heart breaks You’ll never see it, never see it When my world shakes I feel alive, I feel alive I don’t play safe Don’t you know about me I could dance, I could dance, I could dance Even when the tears are flowing They’re diamonds on my face I’ll still keep the party going not one hair out of place Even when the tears are flowing They’re diamonds on my face I’ll still keep the party going not one hair out of place Watch me, dance Dance the night away My heart could be burning but you won’t see it on my face Watch me, dance Dance the night away I’ll still keep the party running not one hair out of place When my heart breaks You’ll never see it, never see it When my world shakes I feel alive, I feel alive I don’t play safe Don’t you know about me I could dance, I could dance, I could dance Dance the night

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Rep. Jasmine Crockett's viral 'Bleach blonde bad built butch body': coming to t-shirts soon?

Last week’s insult-laden House committee hearing may soon be immortalized on a hoodie or pair of socks. 

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, filed a trademark application Sunday for rights to the phrase “BLEACH BLONDE BAD BUILT BUTCH BODY.” Crockett hurled the alliterative insult seemingly at Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Thursday during a heated House Oversight Committee session.  

Lawmakers were meeting to vote on holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for  refusing to turn over  audio recordings of President Joe Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur. 

Greene sparked the verbal back-and-forth with Crockett. “I don’t think you know what you’re here for," the Georgia Republican said. "I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what you’re reading.”  

Later in the hearing, Crockett posed the question, “I’m just curious ... If someone on this committee then starts talking about somebody’s bleach blonde bad built butch body, that would not be engaging in personalities, correct?” 

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Telling CNN Sunday she had just wanted clarification on violations of congressional protocol, the Texas lawmaker said she did not regret what she said.  

And quickly after the exchange, Crockett began advertising “A Crockett Clapback Collection” on X , formerly Twitter. 

“This collection will feature various swag that includes random things I’ve said,” Crockett wrote in a post Friday, also indicating that money from sales will go towards supporting House Democrats. 

Crockett said the collection needs “a little time” before officially launching but that the “BLEACH BLONDE BAD BUILT BUTCH BODY” – featured on a black T-shirt in a photo attached to the post – will be up first. 

Her recent trademark filing indicates Crockett plans to use the phrase for clothing, including hats, hoodies, socks, and T-shirts, as well as political consultancy. Josh Gerben, a trademark attorney of the law firm Gerben IP, discovered the filing and flagged it to USA TODAY

Crockett and her attorney for the filing could not be immediately reached for comment. Greene's office also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The New Sound of Sexual Frustration

Billie Eilish’s new album sustains a mood of longing that is very now .

In 1989, a socially anxious handyman named Trent Reznor shut himself in the Cleveland recording studio that employed him and emerged with one of rock and roll’s great statements of sexual frustration. Nine Inch Nails’s debut album, Pretty Hate Machine , blended noise with synthesized melodies and dance beats; it sounded like the work of a loner who hated his own need for connection, intimacy, and other bodies. In the ragged rasp of a man dying of thirst, Reznor screamed a confession: “I just want something I can never have!”

This history comes to mind as a precedent for Hit Me Hard and Soft , the sensational new Billie Eilish album. Ever since she was a young teen posting songs online, Eilish has spoken to the desires and anxieties of a headphone-encased, bedroom-secluded generation. Her brother, the producer Finneas, has helped her create an eclectic, depressive sound , merging folk and jazz with the goth-electronic lineage of Nine Inch Nails, New Order, and Portishead. Eilish’s third album boils this approach down to its slick essence, sustaining a mood of longing that is very now .

The core appeal of the album lies in its production. The ballads rustle and drift with feather-on-skin subtlety, and the uptempo tracks are appealingly minimalistic, enlivened by small, surprising choices. On “Lunch,” sprays of new-wave guitars enter slightly offbeat, for an ecstatic jump scare. On “Chihiro,” warning-siren keyboards push in at odd moments and then vanish. The astounding closer “Blue” plays like a walk into a dark woods: shuffling, countrified pop gives way to a disturbing piano interlude, and then witchy trip hop.

Amid all this musical tension, Eilish quavers and pants, turning every syllable into a satiny showpiece of texture. Her phrasings are inspired by cabaret greats such as Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan—though such comparisons do highlight Eilish’s unfortunate tendency toward simplistic, even childish, rhyme schemes. “Well, good things don’t last / And life moves so fast,” she sings in one of a few lines that feel like pure filler. Someday, with luck, she’ll attempt a bit more complexity in her songwriting—but then again, the stymied, stunted nature of her words do fit with what she’s singing about.

The 22-year-old Eilish recently went through a sexual awakening. “I’ve been in love with girls for my whole life,” she told Rolling Stone , but it wasn’t until last year that she realized, in anatomical terms, what exactly that desire meant . (I’m trying to paraphrase here.) Her experience seems to typify her carnally confused generation. Record numbers of young people are identifying as queer; traditional dictates around monogamy and abstinence need no longer hold as much sway; porn and dating apps offer a buffet of on-demand eroticism. Yet young people are, statistically, having less sex than their elders were at their age. Desiring and doing have never been so separate.

Largely muted but intermittently intense, Hit Me Hard and Soft captures this erotic dissonance. This is an album about wanting but not quite getting, or getting and then wanting something different, and mostly just soaking in isolation. Eilish sings of crushing on her buddy’s girlfriend, of waiting up late for a rendezvous that never happens, of realizing that the supposed love of her life was just some loser. “Chihiro” describes dating a veritable ghost; the notes move in the wrong direction from what the ear expects, and Eilish’s voice glitches in and out. Only the feisty single “Lunch” conveys the feeling of fantasy finally becoming reality—but even then, Eilish is coy, liminal: “I don’t want to break it / I just want it to bend,” she teases.

Read: Pop is making happiness sound pretty dreary lately

Part of Eilish’s angst arises from her trying to navigate porous boundaries of potential situationships: “Did I cross the line?” she asks a friend at one point. (Pair the album with the steamy tennis drama Challengers , soundtracked by Reznor and his co-collaborator, Atticus Ross.) Technology plays a role too. The album pulses with house, techno, and reggae beats, but Eilish, a child star born of the internet, has rarely been able to go out clubbing in real life. (The dance songs, she has said , were inspired by her need for hot songs in her earbuds at the gym.) On the carnivalesque “The Diner,” Eilish sings, “I saw you on the screens / I know we’re meant to be / You’re starrin’ in my dreams / In magazines.” She’s talking about her own stalker, but she could mean anyone with a parasocial fascination.

Eilish isn’t alone in her approach here. To a surprising degree, Hit Me Hard and Soft shares DNA with Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department , another recent album filled with claustrophobic synth pop about stymied lust. That album’s best moments (“Guilty as Sin,” “Fresh Out the Slammer”) are about pining for someone who’s not available—or about the almost-immediate, devastating comedown that can follow consummation (“Down Bad”). As in the way of so many modern lovers, Swift’s torment is worsened by “ judgmental creeps ” online, who monitor other people’s affairs and deem them cringe.

Eilish takes on such creeps as well, calling out the internet’s hunger for “the meanest kind of funny,” as she sings on “Skinny.” In the album’s very final coda, she asks, “But when can I hear the next one?” Coming after 44 minutes of sumptuous music, the line is clearly a joke about fans who make unending demands of their objects of worship. But it also gets at the core problem of modern desire. When fleeting pleasure is just a scroll away, lasting satisfaction can feel like something we’ll never get.

‘I’m looking for a man in finance’: how a sampled sound bite can turn a dance track into an earworm

Lecturer in Psychology, University of Wollongong

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“I’m looking for a man in finance,” the TikTok user, @girl_on_couch, says blandly, looking around the room and then into the camera. “Trust fund. 6'5. Blue eyes. Finance.” In the caption, she urges someone to turn her sound bite into “an actual song plz”.

From this little bit of spoken audio sprang the song that’s suddenly everywhere on social media: I’m looking for a man in finance .

A quick browse on Spotify reveals several music producers, such as Billen Ted, Hiko and Ketno, have since featured this spoken phrase on various dance tracks. Billen Ted even show how they did it.

The result is undeniably an earworm – a song that all-too-easily gets stuck in your head. On TikTok and Instagram, users are making their versions of the song, dancing to it around lounge rooms or dance festivals , or muttering adaptations of it as they work or multitask.

Sampled speech in song

It is, of course, not the first time a little bit of spoken audio has formed the central pillar of a wildly popular dance track.

Remember Get on the Beers ? This viral track sampled a then-Victorian Premier Dan Andrews speech imploring people to stay home during the early days of the COVID pandemic. The song, by Mashd N Kutcher, was later described as “an unofficial anthem for Melbournians coming out of lockdown”.

Older readers will remember Pauline Pantsdown’s I don’t like it , which cheekily included unauthorised vocal samples from conservative politician Pauline Hanson.

Another memorable example is The Avalanches’ hugely acclaimed song Frontier Psychiatrist , with its surreal mix of samples and repeated spoken refrain: “that boy needs therapy”.

So what makes a great speech sample in a song, and why are they often so memorable?

Recogniseable but recontextualised

I’m a music researcher with a special interest in earworms, and wrote about memorable audio samples in my book with Jadey O'Regan, Hooks in Popular Music .

As we argue in our book, an audio sample such as “I’m looking for a man in finance” has to capture our attention and be memorable to be a hook. There is a barrage of noise on the internet and in our phones. For a sample to rise above that barrage, it has to have attention-grabbing audio properties, but also fit with our expectations and desires.

One way to become salient and memorable in this way is by being recognisable but recontextualised. If we already have some memory of a particular bit of spoken word, then hearing it in a new context such as a dance song will more easily capture our attention. We respond to what we recognise. Many people had seen and heard the original @girl_on_couch TikTok, so recognised it readily in the dance tracks that sampled it.

Another way to become salient and memorable is to reflect the way we feel, or the way we want to feel. Get on the Beers is another great example.

Australians were glued to their TVs to hear the daily speeches of state premiers during COVID lockdowns. It was a tense time. A lot of the big hits in that lockdown era were quite sad songs about being lonely, such as The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights and Heatwaves by Glass Animals .

Then Get on the Beers , which originally came out in 2020, experienced a surge of popularity as lockdowns ended. Thanks to some creative remixing, Dan Andrews seemed now to urge us to get to the pub asap. His soundbite was recognisable but recontextualised, in a track that felt cathartic for a populace very sick of lockdowns.

Accent, cadence and rhythm

The other thing that can make a speech sound bite memorable and ripe for remix in a song has to do with patterns of speech. That includes tone of voice and accent (there’s something catchy about @girl_on_couch’s deliberately hammed-up valley girl Californian accent, with all its vocal fry).

A staccato rhythm, an accidental rhyme, the cadence of a sentence – factors like these can conspire to create a line that is unusual, memorable and endlessly repeatable.

Southend’s song The Winner Is… , which focuses on the moment it was announced Sydney would host the 2000 Olympics, is another example. It captures a moment of celebration and release.

It’s hard to know whether this song would have been as popular if it wasn’t for the brilliantly memorable way former Olympics chief Juan Antonio Samaranch, originally from Spain, pronounced the word “Sydney”.

Speech as music

When you sample some speech and put it on a loop, people stop paying attention to the meaning of the words. They start paying attention to the sound, rhythm and melody of the voice. People hear speech as music.

This is what Diana Deutsch, a professor of psychology at the University of California, called the “ speech-to-song illusion ”. Her research looked at how the phrase “sometimes behave so strangely” suddenly appears “to burst into song”, even if no other musical elements are added.

That is playing a role in all successful spoken samples. The effect is even stronger once you emphasise the rhythm of speech by putting it to a dance beat.

Add in the viral power of TikTok, which makes it easier than ever for users to rework and recontextualise video and audio, and it’s no great surprise I’m looking for a man in finance has become such an earworm.

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Another Provocative Flag Was Flown at Another Alito Home

The justice’s beach house displayed an “Appeal to Heaven” flag, a symbol carried on Jan. 6 and associated with a push for a more Christian-minded government.

The “Appeal to Heaven” flag flew outside the Alitos’ New Jersey vacation home last summer, along with a “2022” Phillies flag and a Long Beach Island flag. Credit...

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By Jodi Kantor ,  Aric Toler and Julie Tate

The reporters welcome tips about the Supreme Court at nytimes.com/tips

• May 22, 2024

Last summer, two years after an upside-down American flag was flown outside the Virginia home of Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., another provocative symbol was displayed at his vacation house in New Jersey, according to interviews and photographs.

This time, it was the “Appeal to Heaven” flag, which, like the inverted U.S. flag, was carried by rioters at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Also known as the Pine Tree flag, it dates back to the Revolutionary War, but largely fell into obscurity until recent years and is now a symbol of support for former President Donald J. Trump, for a religious strand of the “Stop the Steal” campaign and for a push to remake American government in Christian terms.

Three photographs obtained by The New York Times, along with accounts from a half-dozen neighbors and passers-by, show that the Appeal to Heaven flag was aloft at the Alito home on Long Beach Island in July and September of 2023. A Google Street View image from late August also shows the flag.

The photographs, each taken independently, are from four different dates. It is not clear whether the flag was displayed continuously during those months or how long it was flown overall.

Justice Alito declined to respond to questions about the beach house flag, including what it was intended to convey and how it comported with his obligations as a justice. The court also declined to respond.

In commenting for the Times report last week about the upside-down American flag at his Virginia home in 2021, Justice Alito said that it had been raised by his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, during a clash with a neighbor.

The revelation about that flag prompted concerns from legal scholars and ethicists, and calls from dozens of Democratic lawmakers that the justice recuse himself from cases related to Jan. 6. The news also drew criticism from some conservative politicians , including Senator Lindsey Graham, who said that displaying the inverted flag was “not good judgment.”

During the period the Appeal to Heaven flag was seen flying at the justice’s New Jersey house, a key Jan. 6 case arrived at the Supreme Court, challenging whether those who stormed the Capitol could be prosecuted for obstruction .

In coming weeks, the justices will rule on that case, which could scuttle some of the charges against Mr. Trump, as well as on whether he is immune from prosecution for actions he took while president. Their decisions will shape how accountable he can be held for trying to overturn the last presidential election and his chances at regaining the White House in the next one.

The disclosure about the new flag is troubling, several ethics experts said in interviews, because it ties Justice Alito more closely to symbols associated with the attempted election subversion on Jan. 6, and because it was displayed as the obstruction case was first coming for consideration by the court.

Judges are not supposed to give any impression of bias, yet the flag could be seen as telegraphing the Alitos’ views — and at a time when the justices were on the cusp of adopting a new ethics code . “We all have our biases, but the good judge fights against them,” said Charles Geyh, a law professor at Indiana University Bloomington. “When a judge celebrates his predispositions by hoisting them on a flag,” he added, “that’s deeply disturbing.”

Records show that the Alitos have owned the beach house since 2014, and he is a well-known presence in the waterfront community. Residents said they recalled seeing the justice last summer, though it is unclear how much time he spent there. Neighbors said that once they realized what the flag signified, they were surprised to see it displayed, particularly in a prominent spot where many boaters glide by. The six people who shared their accounts and photographs asked not to be identified because they didn’t want to antagonize a longtime neighbor. When The Times visited the house on Wednesday, the flagpole was bare.

Until about a decade ago, the Appeal to Heaven flag was mostly a historical relic. But since then it has been revived to represent “a theological vision of what the United States should be and how it should be governed,” said Matthew Taylor, a religion scholar at the Institute of Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies. He is also the author of a forthcoming book tracing how a right-wing Christian author and speaker who repopularized the flag helped propel Mr. Trump’s attempt to overturn the election.

That figure, Dutch Sheets, has led a yearslong campaign to present the flag to political figures, including Sarah Palin , the former Alaska governor and vice-presidential pick, and an Indiana gubernatorial candidate whom Mr. Sheets wrapped in the flag at a recent rally. Republican members of Congress and state officials have displayed the flag as well, among them Doug Mastriano, a Pennsylvania state senator and a leader of the “Stop the Steal” campaign. The highest-ranking elected official known to show the flag is Representative Mike Johnson, who hung it at his office last fall shortly after becoming speaker of the House.

A spokesman for Mr. Johnson said that the speaker “has long appreciated the rich history of the flag, as it was first used by General George Washington during the Revolutionary War.” It was a gift, the spokesman said, from Pastor Dan Cummins, a guest chaplain for the House of Representatives.

Since its creation during the American Revolution, the flag has carried a message of defiance: The phrase “appeal to heaven” comes from the 17th-century philosopher John Locke, who wrote of a responsibility to rebel, even use violence, to overthrow unjust rule. “It’s a paraphrase for trial by arms,” Anthony Grafton, a historian at Princeton University, said in an interview. “The main point is that there’s no appeal, there’s no one else you can ask for help or a judgment.”

In 2013, Mr. Sheets, a prominent figure in a far-right evangelical movement that scholars have called the New Apostolic Reformation , discovered the nearly forgotten flag and made it the symbol of his ambitions to steep the country and the government in Christianity, he wrote in a 2015 book also titled “An Appeal to Heaven.”

“Rally to the flag,” he wrote. “God has resurrected it for such a time as this. Wave it outwardly: wear it inwardly. Appeal to heaven daily for a spiritual revolution that will knock out the Goliaths of our day.”

He placed the high court at the center of his mission. In 2015, the court’s ruling that states must allow same-sex marriage had galvanized the movement and helped it to grow. In a speech three years later, he said, “There’s no gate that has allowed more evil to enter our nation than that of the Supreme Court.”

But Mr. Sheets and fellow leaders described Justice Alito, the member of the court most committed to expanding the role of faith in public life, as their great hope: a vocal defender of religious liberty and opponent of the right to abortion and same-sex marriage.

“You can’t say that marriage is a union between one man and one woman,” the justice said in a 2020 speech . “Until very recently that’s what the vast majority of Americans thought. Now it’s considered bigotry,” he said, a point he had made strongly in his dissent to the ruling.

The religious leaders cast Mr. Trump as another of their heroes. A few weeks before the 2020 election, at a Las Vegas megachurch prayer service for his second term, a pastor from the group presented Mr. Trump with an “Appeal to Heaven” flag from the stage. When he lost, Mr. Sheets and a team of others formed an instant, ad hoc religious arm of the “Stop the Steal” campaign, blitzing swing state megachurches, broadcasting the services at each stop and drawing hundreds of thousands of viewers.

On Jan. 6, the “Appeal to Heaven” flag was prominent: at the Washington Monument, where throngs gathered to hear President Trump deliver a speech contesting the election results, and later above the angry mob that surrounded the Capitol. The flag was visible above clashes with law enforcement on the building’s west terrace, as rioters breached police lines underneath the scaffolding set up for President Biden’s inauguration, and finally, inside the building.

By that day, scholars say, the flag had become popular enough to sometimes be used by a few other groups, including militia members. But most often, they said, it is tied directly to Mr. Sheets, his contemporaries and adherents and their vision for a more Christian America.

Last October, soon after the flag was last documented at the Alito beach home, Mr. Sheets devoted a prayer session to the court, this time sounding triumphant. He cited the Dobbs decision, overturning the federal right to abortion, in which the majority decision had been written by Justice Alito.

“We have reached another phase in the process of shifting the Supreme Court,” he announced. Through the justices, he said, “God’s intent for institutions of government can now be fulfilled.”

Alan Feuer contributed reporting.

Jodi Kantor is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and co-author of “She Said,” which recounts how she and Megan Twohey broke the story of sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein, helping to ignite the #MeToo movement.    Instagram • More about Jodi Kantor

Aric Toler is a reporter on the Visual Investigations team at The Times where he uses emerging techniques of discovery to analyze open source information. More about Aric Toler

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