recounting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recounting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of narrating or telling a story or event again, often with details or personal reflections. Example: "In her memoir, she begins recounting her childhood experiences in the small town where she grew up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's followed on Wednesday by The Road to Wembley (BBC1, 11.15pm), recounting the best moments from this season, and on Saturday by FA Cup TOTP2 (BBC1, 2.05pm) when Mark Radcliffe trawls the Beeb's archives of Cup songs.

The Guardian - Sport

It is no coincidence, says Alawi, that the columns in the firing sights were inscribed with calligraphic poetry recounting Muhammad's journeys and associated sites of pilgrimage.

The Guardian - Arts

"It has been affecting me my whole life," she says, recounting how she developed an eating disorder when she was just 11 years old.

The Guardian

She was the principal director on Peter Moffat's The Village, the first episodes of which, recounting the often harsh reality of rural Derbyshire life in the early years of the 20th century, were seen on BBC1 earlier this year.

The Guardian - Film

"They tried to trick me into a meeting but I immediately saw the ruse," Robert said, recounting an online chat, supposedly with a 22-year-old man, who had offered him money to meet up.

The Guardian

"Some of you may remember we had a pretty vigorous campaign in 2008," Clinton said, before recounting the story of how she initially declined Obama's offer to serve as his secretary of state.

The Guardian

"Red pea soup," he announced, before enthusiastically recounting holidays in Jamaica.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Recounting his decades of experience with police, Nesbitt sometimes sounded like he was narrating a gangster story.

The Guardian

"I don't," he said, before recounting his first trip to Gallipoli as a Howard government minister when he and two Special Air Service minders stood at Anzac Cove and marvelled at the courage of the Australian volunteers who'd landed and made for the enemy up the cliffs.

The Guardian

Few ministers have quit accusing George Osborne of failing to speak out against the flattening of schools and hospitals, or recounting tales of backbenchers in tears at the refusal of David Cameron to condemn Israel.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even if this fails to slow the count, it could help legal challenges after the recounts have been certified.Second, Mr Bush is challenging not merely the validity of particular votes but the legality of the whole recounting process.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "recounting" when you want to emphasize the act of telling a story or event, often with a personal perspective or added details. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While versatile, "recounting" might sound less formal in certain academic or professional documents. Consider using more precise synonyms like "detailing", "chronicling", or "reporting" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "recounting" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund acting as a noun. It describes the action of narrating or giving an account, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recounting" is a versatile and grammatically sound term used to describe the act of narrating or giving an account of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, fitting seamlessly into diverse contexts from news reports to personal narratives. While "recounting" is widely applicable, consider using more precise synonyms like "detailing" or "reporting" in highly formal or scientific writing to maintain a professional tone. With a high source quality score and a significant presence in authoritative sources, "recounting" remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrating

Focuses on the act of telling a story.

retelling

Emphasizes the act of telling something again.

detailing

Highlights providing specific information.

describing

Focuses on giving an account of something.

chronicling

Implies recording events in a historical sequence.

relating

Highlights the act of conveying information.

reporting

Focuses on giving an account of facts or events.

rehearsing

Suggests repeating information aloud for practice or memory.

recapitulating

Implies summarizing or restating the main points.

reiterating

Emphasizes repeating something for clarity or emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "recounting" in a sentence?

"Recounting" can be used to describe the act of narrating or telling a story, as in, "She spent the evening "recounting" her adventures abroad".

What are some alternatives to using "recounting"?

You can use alternatives such as "narrating", "retelling", or "describing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "recounting" formal or informal?

"Recounting" is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although in some highly formal writing, more specific synonyms may be preferred.

What's the difference between "recounting" and "reporting"?

"Recounting" often implies a more personal or narrative approach, while "reporting" typically refers to presenting facts or information objectively.