recite a passage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recite a passage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to repeat or read aloud a specific excerpt from a text, such as a book, poem, or speech. Example: "During the class, the teacher asked the students to recite a passage from their favorite novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In his vibrant, scratchy voice, Jimmy began to recite a passage of "Democracy in America".

The New Yorker

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

In 1926, a young W. H. Auden attended a lecture at Oxford, where he heard J. R. R. Tolkien recite a passage from " Beowulf" so beautifully that he decided, right then and there, that Anglo-Saxon was a worthwhile academic pursuit.

The New Yorker

By Erin Overbey December 14 , 2012In 1926, a young W. H. Auden attended a lecture at Oxford, where he heard J. R. R. Tolkien recite a passage from " Beowulf" so beautifully that he decided, right then and there, that Anglo-Saxon was a worthwhile academic pursuit.

The New Yorker

I have friends who can throw out stock market quotes or lines from classic films quicker than Joel Osteen can recite a passage from the Bible.

Huffington Post

This flag comes down today!" Newsome, whose father formerly served as the dean of the School of Divinity at Howard University, went on to recite a passage from the Bible.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Now, when his mind gets stuck on a thought, Hamilton recites a passage from Scripture, often provided by Narron.

The New York Times - Sports

In the most theatrical passage, Ms. Yokoshi memorably fuses both elements as Mr. Asaji recites a passage from the 12th-century epic "The Tale of the Heike".

The New York Times - Arts

As he recited a passage from Ecclesiastes, Ms. Giuliani slid sideways a full step closer to him, as if to ensure that she would be in the shot.

The New York Times

Before the performance, Mr. Bresnick recited a passage of Blake's verse; midway through the piece, after brassy perambulation and dreamy reverie, Ms. Moore sang the verse as she played.

The New York Times - Arts

A young man in a prayer cap and a necktie stood at a lectern draped with sunflowers and recited a passage from the Koran.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, use "recite a passage" to indicate that a character is quoting or reading from a text they know well. This adds depth to the character's personality or the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "recite a passage" when the intention is simply to read something for the first time. "Recite" implies prior knowledge or memorization, unlike simply reading something new aloud.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recite a passage" functions as a verb phrase, where "recite" is the verb indicating the action of repeating something from memory, and "a passage" is the direct object, specifying what is being repeated. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "recite a passage" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, indicating the act of repeating a section of text from memory. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and demonstrates usage in varied contexts, primarily in news and media. While it is not an extremely common phrase, it carries a certain formality and intention that distinguishes it from simply reading something aloud. Related phrases such as "deliver a passage" or "repeat a section" offer alternative ways to express the same concept, with subtle differences in emphasis and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recite an excerpt

Replace the word "passage" with "excerpt", keeping the meaning very similar

deliver a passage

Replaces "recite" with "deliver", suggesting a more formal or performative context.

repeat a section

Uses "repeat" for simplicity, focusing on the act of saying something again.

read aloud a passage

Emphasizes the act of reading the passage out loud.

utter a section

Employs "utter" for a more formal and somewhat archaic tone.

verbalize a portion

Uses "verbalize" to focus on expressing the passage in words.

quote a part

Highlights that the passage is being quoted from a larger work.

render a passage

Uses "render" to imply a more interpretative or artistic delivery.

declaim a section

Suggests a dramatic and theatrical performance of the passage.

chant a passage

Suggests a rhythmic and possibly musical delivery of the passage.

FAQs

What does "recite a passage" mean?

The phrase "recite a passage" means to say aloud something that has been memorized or learned, typically from a book, poem, or other written work.

What can I say instead of "recite a passage"?

You could use alternatives like "read aloud a section", "repeat a section", or "deliver a passage" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "recite a passage" in formal writing?

Yes, "recite a passage" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing a deliberate act of repeating something from memory. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

How is "recite a passage" different from "read a passage"?

"Recite a passage" implies that the speaker already knows the text and is repeating it from memory, whereas "read a passage" simply means to read the text aloud, regardless of whether it is familiar.