Query Rewriting and Multi-Query Retrieval
A follow-up or domain-specific query may use wording that differs from the corpus. Rewriting creates a standalone query; multi-query retrieval generates several formulations; decomposition splits a complex request into subquestions. These techniques can improve recall but add cost and may introduce assumptions or duplicates.
Keep the original question, preserve authorization scope, and evaluate whether extra calls improve quality. Ask for clarification when intent remains ambiguous.
Implementation example
Original: "Does that apply to contractors too?"
Rewrite: "Does the paid leave policy apply to contractors?"
Keep original text for final answer context.💡 Rewrites should clarify referents without changing the user's intent.
Key Takeaways
- Inspect the relevant pipeline stage instead of guessing.
- Preserve source provenance, versions, and access scope.
- Measure quality on representative queries.
Knowledge Check
What must query rewriting preserve?