Keep the age boundary
BEFORE
Participation is restricted to individuals aged 18 years or older.
AFTER
You must be 18 or older to take part.
“Older than 18” would exclude people who are exactly 18. The boundary matters.
Illustrative exampleA PRACTICAL GUIDE
How to simplify text without losing the point.
Start with what the passage actually says. Replace unfamiliar wording, split crowded sentences, and check that the new version keeps the same facts and conditions. Here is a method you can use yourself or with the text tool.
Paste your text and choose a simplification level.
Five steps to clearer writing
Identify the reader and the main idea.
Write down what the reader needs to understand. A new customer may need a term explained; an expert may only need a long sentence untangled.
Mark the details that must survive.
Look for names, amounts, dates, age limits, negations, and exceptions. Words such as “only,” “unless,” “may,” and “must” can change the entire claim.
Use familiar words where they fit.
“Use” often works in place of “utilize,” and “before” in place of “prior to.” Keep a technical term when it has a precise meaning, then explain it briefly.
Give each sentence a clear job.
Separate the main point from supporting detail. Name who takes the action. When splitting a condition into two sentences, make the relationship explicit.
Compare the two versions.
Read the original and rewrite side by side. Check whether a possibility became a promise, an association became a cause, or an exception disappeared. Correct any change before using the text.
What a careful rewrite looks like
Keep the refund conditions
BEFORE
A refund may be issued if the item is returned unused within 14 days of delivery; personalized items are excluded.
AFTER
You may get a refund if you return the item unused within 14 days of delivery. Personalized items cannot be refunded.
The rewrite keeps “may,” the unused condition, the delivery-based deadline, and the exception.
Illustrative exampleKeep uncertainty in a research claim
BEFORE
The study identified an association between sleep duration and test performance but did not establish a causal relationship.
AFTER
The study found a link between how long people slept and their test results. It did not show that one caused the other.
A link is not evidence that changing sleep will improve a score.
Illustrative exampleHow to use the Dumb It Down tool
Paste a passage.
Open the text tool and paste up to 1,000 words. A short passage is easier to review. The character limit also applies to text without spaces.
Choose a level and output language.
Use Lightly simpler for small edits, Clear & simple for everyday wording, or Extra simple for more basic explanations. Keep Same language selected unless you want another output language.
Select “Dumb it down.”
The rewritten text appears beside the original as it arrives. You can stop a request using the Stop button. Opening an example does not make an AI request.
Review, then copy.
Check the details against the original and use Copy text when the result is ready. If you change the source or settings, request a new rewrite before relying on the displayed result.
Free use and text limits
The current free allowance is 2 rewrites per day, shared by people on the same network. It resets at 00:00 UTC. The tool shows your remaining allowance, and shared daily capacity also applies. No account is required.
Each request accepts up to 1,000 words and 16,000 characters. If a passage is longer, split it at a natural section break. Keep definitions and the conditions they explain together.
Questions about simplifying text
Should simplified text always be shorter?
No. Explaining a technical word may take more words. Aim for less effort to understand the same idea, rather than a fixed reduction in length.
What if the rewrite looks almost the same?
The original may already be straightforward. If it still feels difficult, try a simpler level and check whether the problem is unfamiliar vocabulary, sentence structure, or missing context. AI output varies; a different level does not guarantee a better result.
Does Extra simple guarantee a reading grade?
No. The levels guide the writing style. They do not certify a school grade or verify the original facts.
Can I simplify a whole essay?
Yes, by working through sections that fit the input limits. Keep a definition with the passage that uses it, and include nearby sentences when words such as “this” refer back to them. See the essay simplification guide for checking claims, sources, and consistency across sections.
How do I simplify technical text without losing important terms?
Keep a technical term when replacing it would change the meaning. Explain it in everyday language at its first use, then use it consistently. Remove unnecessary jargon, split crowded sentences, and check that uncertainty, conditions, and exceptions are still clear.
Try it on the paragraph in front of you.
Start with a passage you want to understand. Choose a level, compare both versions, and keep the wording that works.