rehearse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rehearse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the action of practicing something, such as a speech, play, musical performance, etc. For example, "The actors gathered to rehearse their lines before the play's opening night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's essential that we can rehearse these sensitive scenarios privately," said Munro in his email.

The Guardian

The celebrity actors will then rehearse the work for the next 12 hours.

The Guardian

"Shouldn't we rehearse the play?" we asked.

The Guardian

On the park lawn, a trapeze artist is balancing on a high wire in the last fingers of sunshine and two actors rehearse their lines under the violet blooms of a jacaranda tree.

The Guardian - Travel

In the meantime, while Democrats in states like North Carolina prepare to rehearse the same campaign they used against Romney in 2012, they risk the prospect of a more disciplined and organised set of opponents than they have faced in a congressional election for many years.

The Guardian

Before coming here to pretend to rehearse, they spent three weeks actually rehearsing in Dublin, under the guidance of Abrahamson and his composer Stephen Rennicks.

The Guardian - Film

He spoke about his government's "beating, radical heart" with no real enthusiasm – as if he received the speech only recently, and didn't rehearse too much.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fleet is Major Courtney, and I've just watched him rehearse, with breathy stammering, his introduction by the professor to Mrs Wilberforce.

The Guardian

The terms of the debate are well known; readers can probably rehearse the arguments for and against the government's crash austerity programme in their sleep.

The Guardian - Opinion

This week, Hutton will rehearse his first thoughts in the review's interim report.

The Guardian - Business

But why would a politician, ever at the mercy of popular support, dare to rehearse the same widely detested ideas at maximum volume every chance he gets?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rehearse" when you specifically want to convey the idea of practicing an activity, especially a performance, repeatedly to gain proficiency and readiness.

Common error

Avoid using "rehearse" to describe an action being done for the very first time. "Rehearse" implies a prior familiarity and repeated practice.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rehearse" is as a verb, indicating the action of practicing or preparing, usually for a performance or presentation. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts ranging from theatre to political campaigns. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

12%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "rehearse" functions as a verb meaning to practice or prepare, generally in anticipation of a performance or presentation. It's grammatically sound and widely used, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, "rehearse" carries a neutral tone suitable for diverse environments. When using "rehearse", ensure it reflects repeated practice, not a first-time action. Alternatives like "practice" or "run through" may suit different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practice

This term is a general synonym, implying repeated performance to gain proficiency but may lack the specific connotation of preparing for a public event.

run through

This phrase indicates a quick practice session, often without stopping for corrections, emphasizing speed and familiarity.

go over

This phrase suggests reviewing or repeating something to ensure understanding or memorization rather than performance preparation.

prepare

While implying readiness, this term lacks the direct connotation of repeated practice inherent in "rehearse".

drill

Focuses on repetitive exercises, often used in military or emergency contexts, differing from the broader application of "rehearse".

recite

This term emphasizes oral repetition, such as memorizing a poem or speech, but not necessarily practicing for a performance.

simulate

This term implies mimicking a real-world scenario to prepare for it, often in a training or experimental setting.

practice session

This phrase specifies the action of practice as part of a session, often in sports or music and is less versatile than "rehearse".

work out

This term is broader, encompassing any form of practice or preparation, including physical training or problem-solving.

walk through

This term suggests a slow, step-by-step practice, often used in theater or sports to visualize and coordinate movements.

FAQs

How is "rehearse" used in a sentence?

The verb "rehearse" is used to describe the act of practicing something repeatedly, often in preparation for a performance. For example, "The band will "rehearse" their new song before the concert".

What words can I use instead of "rehearse"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "practice", "run through", or "go over" to convey similar meanings.

What does it mean to "rehearse" a performance?

To "rehearse" a performance means to practice it repeatedly in order to prepare for a public presentation. This may involve repeating lines, movements, or musical passages until they are perfected.

Is there a difference between "rehearse" and "practice"?

While both terms involve repeated performance, "rehearse" often implies preparing for a specific event or performance, whereas "practice" can be a more general term for improving a skill over time.