We often need to rewrite sentences to enhance clarity or make them more relatable for a specific audience. Although it seems like a fun activity, sometimes, it becomes pretty hectic.
Actually, rewriting isn’t all about swapping a few words. Instead, it’s about making every sentence smoother, tighter, and clearer. Do you struggle with rewriting sentences? If so, we are here to help.
In this blog, we will share some of the best and most helpful strategies for sentence rewriting. Let’s dive in!
Change Voice
Whenever you want to rewrite a sentence, check if it’s in passive voice. If it is, convert it into the active voice. The active voice makes things clearer, direct, and stronger. In contrast, sentences in passive voice feel lazy, like the action is floating around without an owner.
For instance, compare these two sentences:
- Passive: “The proposal was written by Jess.”
- Active: “Jess wrote the proposal.”
Which one is better and clearer? It’s definitely the second one. In the second sentence, the subject does the action.
Yes, there are some exceptions. In some cases, the passive voice sentence is much better. For example, “The car was stolen last night.” In this sentence, the focus is on the car, not the thief. However, in most cases, the active voice is better.
Eliminate Redundancies
Remember, repetition kills rhythm. You don’t need two words to say the same thing.
They don’t provide any benefits at all. Instead, they add fluff. Instead of “Close proximity,” just say “near.” Similarly, instead of “Absolutely essential,” write “essential.”
That’s how you can not only remove plagiarism but improve content as well.
Here are some more examples of that;
- Instead of “In order to,” write “to.”
- Instead of “Each and every,” write “each” or “every.”
- Instead of “Advance warning,” write “warning.”
Just trim the fat, and your sentence will look more polished.
Break Longer Sentences
Long sentences aren’t evil. But they do get wild if you don’t watch them. If your reader needs to take a breath halfway through reading one, you’ve probably gone too far.
Analyze this;
Before:
“Although I understand the importance of revising your writing to improve clarity, it’s often difficult to know where to start, especially when a sentence seems fine on the surface but is actually cluttered with too many ideas.”
After:
“Rewriting helps. But knowing where to begin? That’s tough. Some sentences seem fine. Until you spot all the clutter.”
The first sentence is quite hard to understand for a general audience. They might get lost in the details and forget the context. Therefore, don’t write such sentences. If they already are, break them into multiple short sentences. And don’t be afraid of short sentences. They are generally more impactful and hit harder.
Replace Jargon with Simple Words
Yes, jargon sounds fancy. But they confuse people. If your reader needs Google to understand your sentence, rewrite it. However, if you struggle with simplifying your text, using a reliable rewriter tool can help you reword complex text into something more reader-friendly.
Check these examples:
“Leverage cross-functional synergies.” It’s not easy to understand for everyone, convert it into “Work well with other teams,” and you can effectively communicate your message without ambiguity. Similarly, “Optimize resource allocation,” your readers might not understand it well. If you write “Use resources wisely,” everyone will understand it immediately.
Remember, simple words don’t make you sound less smart. They make you sound clear. And that’s what actually matters the most.
Be Specific
Vague writing leads nowhere. It just confuses readers. Therefore, when you rewrite sentences, check if they are clear. If they aren’t, be specific and make them clear.
Otherwise, your readers will get confused and might not understand anything.
Have a look at these examples!
Vague: “The team worked on some things last week.” What are some things? Although it’s understandable, it leaves readers guessing.
Specific: “The team finished the website redesign and created three client proposals.”
Enhance Vocabulary
Enhancing vocabulary isn’t about sounding fancy or showcasing your language skills. It’s about picking the right words to convey the message.
Let’s say you write: “He said something about being unhappy.” Again, it’s understandable. But when you have better words to express the same thing, use them.
For instance, you can write, “He complained.” Or “He snapped.” Or “He sighed.”
Each version paints a slightly different mood. Therefore, choose words with more bite.
The right words refine your sentences and bring more depth to your content.
Proofread Carefully
Finally, once you’ve rewritten, don’t hit publish yet. Reread everything. In fact, proofread your sentences as a critic. This way, you can find imperfections and fix them immediately.
During proofreading, you can catch various mistakes, including repeated words, odd transitions, missing words, and weird phrasing. Spotting and fixing all such issues can make your work more refined.
Conclusion
Writing doesn’t need to be perfect the first time. It rarely is. But rewriting? That’s where the magic happens. Therefore, don’t skip the process. In fact, invest your time in it. It will eventually make your text more powerful.
When rewriting your text, use these simple strategies, and you can easily improve your work and make the most out of it.
Lastly, remember, good writing isn’t about sounding smart. It’s about being understood. So, make your sentences work for your reader, not just for you.