recounted that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recounted that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that someone has told or narrated a story or event, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "She recounted that her childhood was filled with adventures and discoveries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Rove recounted that meeting to a hushed crowd tonight.

The New York Times

When we recounted that conversation to Rawlins, we expected him to be crushed.

The New Yorker

The reason I recounted that anecdote is that it offers a good approach on how to tackle today's crossword.

The New York Times

She recounted that version of events at an impromptu rally the following day in Bastia.

Los Angeles Times

Basil Rathbone, who was playing Tybalt, later recounted that "he was drinking and unreliable on the set .

Wikipedia

Ima Hogg later recounted that "my grandfather Stinson lived fifteen miles [24 km] from Mineola and news traveled slowly.

Wikipedia

But as I recounted that day's events to the nurse I couldn't do it for a second longer.

Huffington Post

He recounted that he had studied in classrooms that were filled to capacity.

The New York Times

Sonia recounted that her typical morning involved four consecutive stops on the Red Line.

The New Yorker

Simon recounted that when Nathaniel was 14, he burst into tears at a dance.

The New York Times

Before Mr. Paterson became governor, his official biography recounted that he was born and raised in Harlem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "recounted that", ensure the context involves a narration or detailed explanation of past events, not just a simple statement of fact.

Common error

Avoid using "recounted that" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "said that" or "mentioned that" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recounted that" functions as a reporting verb phrase, introducing a subordinate clause that contains a narrative or account of something. It signals that the subject of the main clause is providing a detailed relation of past events. Ludwig indicates that it is correctly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recounted that" is a reporting phrase used to introduce a detailed account or narration of past events. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and best suited for formal or neutral contexts such as news reports and written accounts. While alternatives like "said that" or "mentioned that" exist, "recounted that" emphasizes the narrative aspect and level of detail in the account. Be mindful of the formality of your writing and choose the most appropriate phrase to convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrated that

This alternative emphasizes the storytelling aspect, suggesting a more detailed and engaging account than simply "recounted that".

recalled that

This phrase centers around the act of remembering something, suggesting that the information comes from memory rather than recent observation.

related that

This phrase implies a connection or relationship between the speaker and the information being conveyed, which might be absent in "recounted that".

reported that

This is a more neutral and formal alternative, often used in journalistic contexts to convey information without necessarily implying personal involvement or detailed storytelling.

stated that

This alternative emphasizes the act of making a formal statement, often in legal or official settings, which is less conversational than "recounted that".

mentioned that

This suggests a brief or casual reference to something, lacking the thoroughness implied by "recounted that".

detailed that

This highlights that someone provided a lot of details about the event.

described that

This option is focused on providing a depiction of the story to be told.

indicated that

This alternative suggests a subtle or indirect communication, not necessarily a full narration as implied by "recounted that".

testified that

This is used in legal contexts, implying a formal declaration under oath, which carries a stronger legal weight than "recounted that".

FAQs

What can I say instead of "recounted that"?

You can use alternatives like "narrated that", "related that", or "reported that" depending on the context.

How to use "recounted that" in a sentence?

"Recounted that" is used to introduce a detailed account of a past event. For example, "The witness recounted that the car sped through the intersection."

Is "recounted that" formal or informal?

"Recounted that" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "said that" or "mentioned that". It is best suited for written or spoken contexts where a detailed narration is appropriate.

What's the difference between "recounted that" and "recalled that"?

"Recounted that" implies a detailed narration of events, while "recalled that" suggests bringing something back to memory. You recount a story, but you recall a memory.