phrasing

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The way in which words are put together and expressed in speech or writing.

   Grammar: Uncountable; used to talk about the style or manner of expression, not individual phrases.

   Patterns

   • the phrasing of something
   • clear phrasing
   • awkward phrasing

   The phrasing of the question confused many readers.

   She is known for her elegant phrasing in formal letters.

   His awkward phrasing made the instructions hard to follow.

2. 2noununcountablemusic

   The way a musician shapes a series of notes to create expression.

   Grammar: Uncountable; used in music to describe the shaping of a melodic line.

   Patterns

   • the phrasing of a melody
   • smooth phrasing
   • expressive phrasing

   The pianist's delicate phrasing brought the slow movement to life.

   Good phrasing requires attention to both rhythm and dynamics.

   The conductor asked for more legato phrasing in the strings.

Common combinations

clear phrasing

The teacher praised the clear phrasing of her essay.

awkward phrasing

The contract was full of awkward phrasing that confused everyone.

musical phrasing

His musical phrasing is what makes his playing so distinctive.

the phrasing of a question

The phrasing of the question made it difficult to answer yes or no.

Synonyms and how they differ

wording

Wording focuses on the choice of words themselves, while phrasing often includes the order and rhythm of the whole expression.

expression

Expression is broader and can refer to any way of conveying meaning, including through art or gesture; phrasing is more specific to language or music.

Word family

phrase noun

A group of words that function as a unit in a sentence.

phrase verb

To express something in a particular way.

phrasal adjective

Relating to phrases, as in phrasal verb.

Commonly confused: phrasing or phrasing vs. phrase?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “phrasing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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