recite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recite" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of repeating something aloud from memory, such as poetry, speeches, or other texts. Example: "During the class, the teacher asked the students to recite a poem they had memorized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At a push, if he really insists, let him recite the midsection rap to All Rise by Blue in its entirety to some graffiti artists, but only because that's the coolest thing in the world.

The Guardian

It: assesses the extent to which 15-year-old students have acquired key knowledge and skills that are essential for full participation in modern societies But the study claims to measure more than students' ability to recite what their teachers have imparted – it also attempts to capture how well they can apply what they have learned in school.

The Guardian

Warren proceeds to calmly recite numbers that could inspire even librarians to storm a few barricades.

The Guardian

I can still recite passages of it today.

The Guardian - Film

And the open-plan sitting room below has its original sandstone flags and stone spiral staircase along with a log-burner by which to curl up and recite romantic lines.

The Guardian - Travel

As but one typical example, the Guardian has obtained an August 19, 2010, Fisa court approval from Judge John Bates which does nothing more than recite the statutory language in approving the NSA's guidelines.

The Guardian - Opinion

She says that "any post-Soviet person will be able to recite at least three anecdotes about Ukrainians and their love for salo".

The Guardian

That said, their religion was ingrained in them – 25 years of Catholic teachings die hard, after all – so while they performed their plays from the back of a flatbed truck in homemade costumes, and on hand-built sets, they still made sure that we could recite the Lord's Prayer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Welsh team and their admirable young manager, Garry Monk, deserved full credit for a deserved victory but got none from Van Gaal, who is among those ready to describe black as white when it suits, knowing some reporters will be happy just to recite his quotes.

The Guardian - Sport

Any post-Soviet person will be able to recite at least three anecdotes about Ukrainians and their love for salo Katrina Kollegaeva Katrina Kollegaeva from Russian Revels, a cooking duo who explore Slavic culture through food, has dedicated a lot of time to exploring the history of salo and what is means to Ukraine.

The Guardian

In an apparent effort to assuage critics, the QMA had a young boy recite a passage from the Koran about the formation of life when this work was unveiled earlier this month.Some see in the QMA's efforts an eagerness to appeal to the Western art world.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "recite" when you want to emphasize the act of repeating something from memory or presenting something formally. For informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "repeat" or "say aloud".

Common error

Avoid using "recite" in casual conversations where simpler words like "repeat" or "say" would be more appropriate. Overusing "recite" can make your language sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "recite" is as a verb, indicating the action of repeating something aloud, often from memory. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse textual contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "recite" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the act of repeating something aloud, frequently from memory. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and widely used across varied contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. While the term is generally neutral to formal, it is crucial to consider the context. It's preferable to employ more casual terms like "repeat" or "say" in informal settings. To broaden your vocabulary, options like "repeat aloud", "deliver", or "narrate" are available, contingent on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repeat aloud

Emphasizes the act of saying something again audibly.

utter

Focuses on the act of speaking or voicing something.

deliver

Highlights the act of presenting something, like a speech or poem.

narrate

Implies telling a story or recounting events.

enunciate

Focuses on clear and distinct pronunciation.

recount

Suggests giving a detailed account of something.

iterate

Implies repeating a process or set of instructions.

enumerate

Focuses on listing items one by one.

declaim

Suggests delivering a speech with passion and conviction.

itemize

Implies listing items with specific details.

FAQs

How to use "recite" in a sentence?

You can use "recite" to describe the act of repeating something aloud from memory, such as in the sentence, "The student had to recite a poem for the class."

What can I say instead of "recite"?

You can use alternatives like "repeat aloud", "deliver", or "narrate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "recite" or "repeat"?

"Recite" is more formal and often implies repeating something from memory, while "repeat" is a more general term for saying something again.

What's the difference between "recite" and "enunciate"?

"Recite" refers to repeating something aloud, whereas "enunciate" focuses on the clarity and distinctness of pronunciation.