to narrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to narrate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of telling a story or recounting events, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The author chose to narrate the events from the perspective of the main character, providing deeper insight into their thoughts and feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are compelled to narrate their love.

The New Yorker

"I was going to narrate it.

The Guardian

He is here to narrate the present.

The New York Times - Sports

Who better to narrate that than a teen?

The New Yorker

"They have to have full control over how to narrate".

The New York Times - Health

"Everybody always wants me to narrate," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

No one needed Sally Field to narrate the scene.

The New York Times - Sports

Are they out of the swamp?" I'd forgotten to narrate that part.

The New Yorker

One section explores how artists use quilts to narrate a tale.

The New York Times

Essie is in an excellent position to narrate Mr. Schaffert's book.

The New York Times - Books

"He said, 'I'm finally going to have to narrate.' They were getting all the credit".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to narrate" when you want to convey a sense of storytelling or recounting events in a detailed and structured manner. It is particularly suitable for formal writing and when the act of telling the story is as important as the story itself.

Common error

Avoid using "to narrate" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "to tell" or "to describe" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your speech or writing sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to narrate" is as an infinitive form of a verb. It often functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating the purpose or action being described. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correctly and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

The New Yorker

3%

Huffington Post

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to narrate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily to describe the act of telling a story or recounting events in a detailed and structured manner. It's most common in news, media, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in informal settings to avoid sounding overly formal. Consider alternatives like "to tell" or "to describe" in casual contexts. The numerous examples available on Ludwig highlight the various applications and authoritative sources that support its proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to recount

Focuses on giving an account of something, often past events.

to tell the story

Emphasizes the act of conveying a narrative.

to give an account

Highlights providing a detailed explanation or report.

to relate the events

Suggests connecting and describing a series of happenings.

to describe

Focuses on providing details about something or someone.

to chronicle

Implies recording events in a factual and detailed manner.

to report

Highlights conveying information, often in a formal or official context.

to recite

Implies repeating something from memory, often a poem or passage.

to unfold the tale

Suggests gradually revealing a story.

to present the narrative

Highlights the act of showcasing a story.

FAQs

How can I use "to narrate" in a sentence?

You can use "to narrate" to describe the act of telling a story or recounting events, as in "The author chose "to narrate" the story from multiple perspectives."

What are some alternatives to "to narrate"?

Alternatives include "to recount", "to describe", "to tell", and "to relate", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "to narrate" or "to tell"?

"To narrate" is generally more formal and suggests a detailed and structured account, while "to tell" is more general and can be used in a wider range of contexts. Choose the word that best fits the tone and formality of your writing.

What is the difference between "to narrate" and "to chronicle"?

"To narrate" implies the act of telling a story, while "to chronicle" suggests recording events in a factual and historical manner. "To chronicle" is often used for events of significance over a period of time.