Paraphrase or Summarise

If you paraphrase something you repeat what was said or written but using different words in a humorous, simpler or shorter way that makes the original easier to understand.

If you summarise something you highlight the most important parts in a shorter and simpler way that makes the original easier to understand.

  • I’ll summarise the main points of his speech in a few words.
  • To paraphrase Shakespeare, ‘The road to true love never did take the simplest route.’