Responsible Paraphrasing and Citation | Learn Chinese in English

Sentence explanations

1. 我担心我的改写和原文太接近了。

   I worry that my paraphrases stay too close to the sources.

   担心

   worry; be concerned

   我的

   my

   改写

   paraphrase; rewritten version

   原文

   source text; original wording

   太接近

   too close

   More detail

   担心 means “to worry” or “to be concerned.” Here it is the main verb after 我 (“I”). It can introduce the thing causing concern, as in 我担心天气不好。 — “I’m worried that the weather will be bad.” 我的 is 我 (“I/me”) plus 的, marking possession or association: “my.” Chinese 我的 does not mark the number or gender of the possessor. Here it connects the speaker with 改写, giving “my paraphrase(s)/rewriting.” Example: 这是我的书。 — “This is my book.” 改写 means “to rewrite” as a verb and “a rewritten version/paraphrase” as a noun. Here it follows 我的 and functions as a noun, referring to the speaker’s rewritten wording. The Chinese does not itself specify a count, so the English plural “paraphrases” is compatible with the fixed translation. Example: 请改写这句话。 — “Please rewrite this sentence.” 原文 means “the original text” or “the original wording.” Here it is the text against which the rewriting is compared. Example: 请先读原文。 — “Please read the original text first.” 太接近 combines 太 (“too”) with 接近 (“close” or “be close to”). The pattern 太 + adjective marks an excessive degree, so 太接近 means “too close,” not merely “close.” 接近 can also occur without 太, as in 两个答案很接近。 — “The two answers are very close.” The remaining words connect these pieces: 我 is the subject, 和 links 我的改写 with 原文, and final 了 presents the excessive closeness as a current or newly relevant situation. It is not a simple past-tense marker and need not be translated as a separate English word here. In source order, 我担心 means “I worry,” 我的改写和原文 means “my paraphrase(s) and the original wording,” and 太接近了 means “are too close.” Together, the utterance means: “I worry that my paraphrases stay too close to the sources.”

2. 一个有用的判断方法是看句子结构有没有改变。

   A useful test is whether the sentence structure has changed.

   有用的

   useful

   判断

   judgment

   方法

   method

   看

   look at; consider

   句子

   sentence

   结构

   structure

   有没有

   whether ... or not

   改变

   change

   More detail

   有用的 means “useful” here and modifies 判断方法. 有用 is the adjective “useful”; 的 lets it modify a noun before it. Example: 这是一个有用的建议。 — “This is a useful suggestion.” 判断 means “judgment” in 判断方法: a way of deciding or assessing something. It can also be a verb meaning “to judge” or “to determine.” Example: 我们需要判断结果。 — “We need to assess the result.” 方法 means “method” or “way,” especially a way of doing or assessing something. The reusable pattern ……的方法 means “a method for …” or “a way to …”; here 判断方法 is a method for making a judgment. 看 means “look at” or, in this sentence, “consider whether.” After 方法是, 看 introduces the criterion used by the method. Example: 判断真假的方法是看证据。 — “A way to judge what is true is to examine the evidence.” 句子 means “sentence.” It can occur before another noun to specify its type or relation, as in 句子结构, “sentence structure.” 结构 means “structure” or “organization.” Together, 句子结构 means “sentence structure,” with 句子 specifying what kind of structure is meant. Example: 这个句子的结构很清楚。 — “The structure of this sentence is clear.” 有没有 is a positive-negative question pattern meaning “whether there is or is not” or, with a predicate, “whether ... or not.” Here it combines with 改变 as 有没有改变, asking whether a change has occurred. This is an embedded question, not a separate direct question. Example: 我不知道计划有没有改变。 — “I don’t know whether the plan has changed.” 改变 means “change” or “alter.” In 有没有改变, it is the verb whose occurrence is being checked; 有没有 supplies the positive-versus-negative question frame. Example: 情况改变了。 — “The situation changed.” The sentence first presents 一个有用的判断方法, “a useful way to judge something.” 是看 then introduces what that method examines: 句子结构有没有改变, “whether the sentence structure has changed.” Together, the utterance means: “A useful test is whether the sentence structure has changed.”

3. 有时候我会改换词语，但保留原来的逻辑。

   Sometimes I change vocabulary but keep the original logic.

   有时候

   sometimes

   我会

   I tend to

   改换

   change; switch

   词语

   words; wording

   但

   but

   保留

   retain; keep

   原来的

   original

   逻辑

   logic

   More detail

   有时候 means “sometimes.” It expresses frequency and sets the time-frequency frame for the clause that follows. Example: 有时候我喝茶。 — “Sometimes I drink tea.” 我会 combines 我, “I,” with 会. In this sentence, 会 indicates a tendency or recurring possibility, so with 有时候 the meaning is “I tend to” or “I sometimes do,” not a firm promise about one future event. 会 is a modal-like word; it is not an aspect marker, and Chinese verbs do not change form for person or number. 改换 is the verb “to change” or “to switch.” Here it describes changing the wording. It does not inflect for person or number. Example: 我们改换一种说法。 — “We switch to another way of saying it.” 词语 is a noun meaning “words” or “wording.” Here it refers to the lexical expressions being changed, not necessarily to the whole sentence structure. Example: 这两个词语意思相近。 — “These two words have similar meanings.” 但 means “but” and connects two contrasting parts. A reusable pattern is A，但B: “A, but B.” 保留 is the verb “to retain” or “to keep.” Here it contrasts with changing the wording: the logic remains. Example: 请保留这个部分。 — “Please keep this part.” 原来的 modifies the following noun and means “original” here. It is 原来 plus 的, which links the modifier to the noun. Thus 原来的逻辑 means “the original logic.” 原来 also has other uses, such as “originally” or “as it turns out,” but those are not its function here. 逻辑 is the noun “logic.” In this sentence, it is what is retained. Example: 这个解释有清楚的逻辑。 — “This explanation has a clear logic.” Putting the parts together, 有时候 sets the frequency, 我会改换词语 says that I sometimes change the wording, and 但保留原来的逻辑 contrasts that change with retaining the original logic. The complete meaning is: “Sometimes I change vocabulary but keep the original logic.”

4. 这样一来，改写可能仍然过度依赖原文。

   Then the paraphrase may still depend too heavily on the source.

   这样一来

   in this way; as a result

   改写

   paraphrase

   可能

   may; might

   仍然

   still

   过度

   excessively; too much

   依赖

   depend on

   原文

   source text

   More detail

   这样一来 is a reusable connective meaning “in this way” or “as a result.” It presents the current statement as the consequence of a preceding situation. Example: 这样一来，我们就能按时完成。— “That way, we can finish on time.” 改写 means “to rewrite” or “to paraphrase.” It can function as a verb or as a noun referring to a rewritten version. Here it is the noun-like subject, “the paraphrase.” Example: 这段话需要改写。— “This passage needs to be rewritten.” 可能 expresses possibility: “may” or “might.” It appears before the predicate and gives the following situation a non-certain status. A stronger possibility contrast is 一定, “certainly,” though that is not used here. 仍然 means “still,” showing that the situation continues to hold despite a change or earlier effort. It commonly comes before the predicate: 仍然依赖原文, “still depend on the source text.” 过度 is an adverb meaning “excessively” or “too much.” It modifies 依赖, so the problem is not dependence in general but dependence to an excessive degree. Example: 不要过度解释。— “Do not over-explain.” 依赖 is the verb “to depend on” or “to rely on.” It can take an object directly, as in 依赖原文, and it can also occur with 于 in 依赖于原文. Example: 这个结论依赖数据。— “This conclusion depends on the data.” 原文 means “the source text” or “the original wording.” 原 means “original,” and 文 here refers to the text; 原文 contrasts usefully with 译文, “translated text.” In this sentence, it is the text on which the paraphrase relies. Taken together, 这样一来 introduces the consequence, 改写 identifies the subject, and 可能 marks the possibility. 仍然过度依赖原文 means “still depend too heavily on the source text,” with 仍然 marking continued dependence and 过度 describing its excessive degree. The complete meaning is: “Then the paraphrase may still depend too heavily on the source.”

5. 我也许应该先关掉文章，再开始起草。

   I should probably close the article before drafting.

   我

   I; me

   也许

   perhaps; probably

   应该

   should; ought to

   先

   first; beforehand

   关掉

   close; turn off

   文章

   article

   再

   then

   开始

   begin; start

   起草

   draft

   More detail

   我 is the first-person singular pronoun, meaning “I” here. It does not itself mark gender or formality. A reusable contrast is 我 “I/me” versus 你 “you”; the choice depends on who is speaking. 也许 means “perhaps” or “probably” and makes the statement less certain. It commonly comes before the verb phrase it qualifies. Here, it softens the recommendation rather than changing who performs the actions. 应该 is the modal verb “should” or “ought to.” 应该 + verb phrase gives advice or indicates what is considered the appropriate action: 你应该休息 means “You should rest.” Here, 应该 applies to the speaker’s own planned actions, so 我应该…… means “I should…”. Together, 也许应该 expresses a tentative judgment: “should probably.” 先 means “first” or “beforehand” in an ordered sequence. It normally marks the action that comes earlier when paired with 再: 先读，再写 means “read first, then write.” Here, it places closing the article before starting the drafting. 关掉 means “close” or “turn off” by bringing something into a closed or inactive state. In this form, 关 is the verb meaning “close/turn off,” and 掉 is a result complement indicating that the closing has been carried through. The compound can take an object, as in 关掉文章 here. The exact choice between 关掉, 关闭, and simply 关 depends on the object and style; 关掉 highlights the resulting closed or inactive state. 文章 is a noun meaning “article” or “written piece.” It is the object of 关掉 in the fixed sentence. A useful related contrast is 文章 for a written article or composition versus 书 for a book; these are different nouns, not interchangeable forms. 再 means “then” in the sequence pattern 先……，再……. In this sentence it introduces the later step, after the action marked by 先. For example, 先检查，再发送 means “Check first, then send.” 开始 means “begin” or “start.” It can be followed by another verb to mark the beginning of that activity: 开始学习 means “begin studying.” In 开始起草, 开始 supplies the starting point and 起草 names the activity that begins. 起草 is the verb “draft,” especially for preparing a text in an initial form. It does not mean merely “write” in every context: 写 is the broader verb “write,” while 起草 focuses on producing a draft. Here it is the activity that begins after the article is closed. The sentence follows the reusable structure 我 + 也许应该 + 先 + A + 再 + 开始 + B: the speaker tentatively says that A should happen before beginning B. A is 关掉文章 (“close the article”), and B is 起草 (“draft”). Thus 先关掉文章，再开始起草 means “close the article first, then begin drafting.” With the subject and modal included, the whole utterance means: “I should probably close the article before drafting.”

6. 这样可以促使你用自己的话重新组织这个观点。

   That can force you to reconstruct the idea in your own terms.

   这样

   like this; in this way

   可以

   can; be able to

   促使

   compel; prompt

   你

   you

   用自己的话

   in your own words

   重新组织

   reorganize; reconstruct

   这个

   this

   观点

   viewpoint; idea

   More detail

   这样 means “in this way” or “like this.” It points to a manner or method supplied by the surrounding context; by itself, it does not identify exactly what that method is. Example: 这样做比较清楚。—“Doing it this way is clearer.” 可以 expresses possibility, permission, or ability depending on context. Here, with 促使, it means that the situation or method can cause the following result: “can prompt/lead to.” It is not the verb “to know how to”; that meaning normally appears with a following action, as in 你可以试试。—“You can give it a try.” 促使 means “to prompt, induce, or cause someone to do something.” Its useful pattern is 促使 + person + verb phrase: 这个问题促使他重新思考。—“This question prompted him to rethink it.” The person affected appears after 促使, so 你 is the person being prompted here. 你 is the second-person pronoun “you.” It does not itself mark gender or number in this sentence. In the pattern 促使你 + verb phrase, it marks the person who carries out the later action. 用自己的话 means “in your own words.” 用 introduces the means or method, and 自己 refers back to the person whose words are meant; with 你, 自己 means “your own.” Example: 请用自己的话解释。—“Please explain it in your own words.” This phrase describes how the idea is expressed, not who originally created it. 重新组织 means “reorganize” or, in this context, “reconstruct.” 重新 means “again” or “anew,” while 组织 is the verb “to organize.” Together they describe arranging the material again into a coherent form. Example: 我需要重新组织这些内容。—“I need to reorganize this material.” 这个 means “this” in the noun phrase 这个观点. 这 identifies something as “this,” and 个 is the measure word used here; Chinese demonstratives and measure words do not mark grammatical gender. The form 这个 does not by itself establish who is speaking or how close the referent is beyond the context-supported “this” reading. 观点 means “viewpoint,” “idea,” or “opinion.” In this sentence it is the thing being reorganized. Example: 我理解你的观点。—“I understand your viewpoint.” The sentence builds from the manner/result frame 这样可以 (“in this way, it can”) to the causative pattern 促使你 (“prompt you”), followed by the action 用自己的话重新组织 (“reorganize [it] in your own words”) and the object 这个观点 (“this viewpoint/idea”). Here, 这个观点 is overtly expressed as the object of 组织; it is not an omitted object. The whole utterance therefore means: “That can prompt you to reconstruct this idea in your own terms,” matching the fixed translation. The register is neutral and suitable for explaining a writing or thinking method.

7. 即使措辞不同，我也应该为这些论点注明出处。

   I should also cite claims even when the wording differs.

   即使

   even if

   措辞

   wording

   不同

   different

   我也

   I also

   应该

   should

   这些

   these

   论点

   claims

   注明出处

   cite the source

   More detail

   即使 introduces a condition that does not prevent the main clause: “even if/even when.” A highly reusable pattern is 即使 A，也 B (“even if A, B”). Here, the condition is 措辞不同, and the main result is the obligation to cite the claims. 措辞 means “wording” or “choice of words.” It is a noun, so 措辞不同 means “the wording is different.” Example: 这两种说法的措辞不同。 — “The wording of these two statements is different.” 不同 means “different” or “not the same.” It is a descriptive word that can follow a noun, as in 措辞不同. Its opposite is 相同 (“the same”). Example: 形式不同，但意思相同。 — “The forms are different, but the meanings are the same.” 我也 combines 我 (“I”) with 也 (“also/too”). 也 marks that the subject is included in an additional similar situation; it does not itself express obligation. In this sentence, 我也应该 means “I should also,” with 也 placed before 应该. 应该 expresses what is advisable, expected, or required from the speaker’s viewpoint: “should” or “ought to.” It is commonly followed by a verb phrase, as in 应该注明 (“should indicate/cite”). Example: 你应该检查答案。 — “You should check the answer.” 这些 means “these,” referring to more than one item that the speaker presents as relatively near or salient. 这 is the demonstrative element and 些 marks a plural or multiple set. It modifies 论点 here; it does not by itself state a precise number. 论点 means “claim,” “argument,” or “point being argued.” In this sentence it refers to the claims that need sources. It is a noun, and 这些论点 is the noun phrase “these claims.” Example: 这个论点需要证据。 — “This claim needs evidence.” 注明出处 is a reusable verb-object construction meaning “cite or indicate the source.” 注明 means “to indicate clearly in writing,” while 出处 means the source or origin of quoted or used material. Together, they specify giving the source attribution, rather than merely mentioning the claims. Example: 引用资料时要注明出处。 — “When using source material, you should cite the source.” The sentence first sets the condition 即使措辞不同 (“even when the wording differs”). The subject 我, the additive marker 也, and 应该 then form “I should also.” Finally, 为这些论点注明出处 means “cite the sources for these claims,” with 为 marking what the action is done for. Altogether: “I should also cite claims even when the wording differs.”

8. 这很重要，因为观点也需要注明来源。

   That is essential, because ideas require attribution too.

   这

   that

   很重要

   very important

   因为

   because

   观点

   ideas; viewpoints

   也

   also; too

   需要

   need; require

   注明

   indicate; cite

   来源

   source

   More detail

   这 is a demonstrative pronoun meaning “that” here, as shown by the fixed translation. Its specific referent is not identified by the sentence, so it is best learned as a context-dependent demonstrative rather than as a named noun. The form 这 does not mark gender. Mandarin expresses a plural demonstrative with a separate form such as 这些, rather than by changing 这 itself. 很重要 combines 很 with 重要. 很 is a degree adverb placed before a descriptive word; in this sentence, the combination means “very important.” 重要 is an adjective and does not inflect for number or tense. Example: 这个问题很重要。 — “This question is very important.” 因为 introduces a reason. A reusable pattern is 因为 A，B (“because A, B”); Chinese can also place the main statement first and the 因为-clause afterward, as here. 观点 means “idea” or “viewpoint.” It is a noun; Mandarin nouns do not normally change form to mark singular versus plural. Example: 这个观点很清楚。 — “This viewpoint is clear.” 也 means “also” or “too.” It adds the idea that the statement applies in addition to something understood from context. It appears before the verb phrase in 观点也需要注明来源. 需要 means “need” or “require.” It is a verb expressing necessity. Mandarin verbs do not change form for subject person or number, so 需要 can be used with different subjects when the context supports that reading. Example: 学生需要准备材料。 — “Students need to prepare materials.” 注明 means “indicate explicitly” or, with source information, “cite.” In this sentence it forms the reusable combination 注明来源, meaning “indicate or cite the source.” It refers to supplying identifying information, not merely noticing a source. Example: 请注明作者。 — “Please indicate the author.” 来源 means “source” or “origin.” It is a noun and is best learned here as the established expression for the source of information. Example: 请注明信息来源。 — “Please indicate the source of the information.” Together, 这很重要 means “That is very important.” 因为 then introduces the reason: 观点也需要注明来源 means “ideas also require their sources to be indicated.” The complete utterance is “That is essential, because ideas require attribution too.”