to recapitulate

USAGE SUMMARY

"to recapitulate" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to summarize ideas from a previous discussion, typically at the end of a presentation, discussion, or written work. For example, "To recapitulate, our findings show that..".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cablevision declined to comment on anything that happened yesterday, choosing instead to recapitulate past statements.

The New York Times - Sports

The story of jazz, for example, seems to recapitulate classical history at high speed.

The New Yorker

After Hope stops to recapitulate the plot in "Morocco," Crosby protests that he knows all that.

The New Yorker

We are trying to recapitulate the orchestrated balance found in the fetus".

The New Yorker

Knowing when, and in what order, to pull the levers will allow humans to recapitulate development.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm not trying to recapitulate Indian music or pretend that I'm playing Indian music".

The New York Times

He plans to recapitulate what is known and not known about the terrorism already inflicted on the nation.

The New York Times

The 15-minute performance seemed to recapitulate his own gestation, only faster, warmer and with more static cling.

The New York Times - Arts

In his conclusion, Bartov tellingly refuses to recapitulate his arguments -- that would be repetitious, and too simple, he says.

The New York Times - Books

So to recapitulate we have two issues.

Comparative Migration Studies

To recapitulate, arguments against universal and mandatory preschool across the news reports were remarkably scarce.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to recapitulate" to signal a concise summary of previously discussed points, ensuring clarity and reinforcement for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "to recapitulate" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "to sum up" or "in short" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to recapitulate" primarily functions as a discourse marker, signaling a summary or restatement of preceding information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to summarize ideas, often at the end of a presentation or discussion. Examples show it introducing a condensed version of prior content.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to recapitulate" serves as a formal and effective way to signal a concise summary or restatement of key points. Ludwig confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. While highly useful for reinforcing understanding and providing clarity, overuse in informal contexts should be avoided. Consider using simpler alternatives such as "to summarize" or "to sum up" in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to summarize

This alternative simplifies the original phrase by using a single verb to convey the act of summarizing.

to sum up

This alternative uses a phrasal verb that is more concise and slightly less formal than the original.

in summary

This option offers a slightly more succinct way to introduce a summary.

to restate

This verb focuses on rephrasing something, which is a key aspect of recapitulating.

to reiterate

This emphasizes the repetition aspect of "to recapitulate", suitable when reinforcing key points.

in brief

This alternative provides a quick and concise summary, ideal for saving time.

to review

This focuses on going over the main points again, similar to summarizing.

to recap

This is a shorter, more informal version of "to recapitulate".

in essence

This phrase captures the central meaning or point, often used when simplifying complex information.

to put it briefly

This option emphasizes brevity and directness in conveying information.

FAQs

What does "to recapitulate" mean?

"To recapitulate" means to summarize or restate the main points in a concise form. It's often used to bring a discussion or presentation to a conclusion.

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

You can start a summary by saying, "To recapitulate, the main arguments are..." or "To recapitulate, we've discussed...".

What can I say instead of "to recapitulate"?

You can use alternatives like "to summarize", "to sum up", or "in summary" depending on the context.

Is "to recapitulate" formal or informal?

"To recapitulate" is generally considered a formal phrase. In less formal settings, simpler alternatives might be more suitable.