BEFORE
“Dumb this report down.”
AFTER
“Rewrite the overview for readers who are new to the topic. Keep the figures and explain the acronyms.”
This identifies the reader and the details to preserve.
Illustrative exampleSAY IT MORE CLEARLY
A better way to say “dumb it down.”
“Simplify” is a useful neutral alternative. “Explain in plain English” asks for familiar wording, while “break it down” asks for smaller steps. Choose the phrase that describes the help you need.
Paste your text and choose a simplification level.
Alternatives, with tone and examples
| Expression | Best used for | Example request |
|---|---|---|
| Simplify | A neutral request to reduce complexity. | “Could you simplify this explanation?” |
| Explain in plain English | Replacing jargon with familiar wording. | “Could you explain the process in plain English?” |
| Break it down | Understanding an idea in smaller parts or steps. | “Can you break the process down into steps?” |
| Make it easier to understand | A direct, audience-focused request. | “Let’s make these instructions easier to understand.” |
| Clarify | Resolving a particular ambiguity. | “Could you clarify what ‘eligible’ means here?” |
| Walk me through it | Getting a guided explanation of a process. | “Could you walk me through the setup?” |
| Use everyday language | Rewriting formal or technical wording. | “Please use everyday language in the introduction.” |
| Explain the basics | Learning a subject with little prior knowledge. | “Could you explain the basics before we look at the details?” |
Plain-language requests for work
Name the part that is unclear and the change you need. These requests give a colleague a concrete starting point:
- For an email: “Could you explain what this means for our next steps?”
- For a document: “Please use plain language and define the technical terms.”
- For a meeting: “Could you give an example before we move on?”
Make the request more useful
A specific request gives the writer something concrete to change.
BEFORE
“I don’t get it. Dumb it down.”
AFTER
“Could you explain the second step with an example?”
This points to the part that needs another explanation.
Illustrative exampleWhat is the opposite of “dumb down”?
There is no single opposite for every context. “Make more complex” is the opposite of simplifying. “Add nuance” or “give a more detailed explanation” fits when a version has lost important distinctions. “Use more technical language” fits when the audience has specialist knowledge.
“Smarten up” often refers to appearance or behavior, so it is not a reliable substitute for “make this explanation more sophisticated.”
Questions about choosing an alternative
What is a polite way to say “dumb it down”?
Try “Could you explain that in simpler terms?” or “Could you walk me through it?” The first asks for easier wording; the second asks for a guided explanation. Both focus on the help you need.
What should I use instead of “dumb it down” in a professional email?
Use a specific request such as “Please explain the requirements in plain language for customers who are new to the service.” Naming the reader and the difficult part is more useful than asking for an unspecified simpler version.
Are “simplify” and “summarize” synonyms?
They describe different goals. To simplify is to make something easier to understand; to summarize is to give a shorter account of its main points. A simplified passage can keep every detail and even become longer. A summary may leave supporting details out.
Is a paraphraser the same as a text simplifier?
A paraphraser rewrites text in different words, which may still be difficult to read. A text simplifier specifically aims for easier wording and explanations. Tools can overlap, so check the actual output. Our before-and-after examples show what to look for when reviewing a simplified passage.
Put clearer language into practice.
Use the text simplifier to try a plainer version, then check the details against your original.