to recite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to recite" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of repeating something aloud from memory or reading it aloud. Example: She was asked to recite a poem during the assembly. Alternative expressions include "to repeat" and "to deliver."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He began to recite statistics.

The New Yorker

She began to recite them.

The New York Times - Health

He loved to recite poetry.

The New Yorker

I leapt in authoritatively, starting to recite.

The New York Times - Magazine

Managed to recite the Philippics verbatim.

The New Yorker

He began to recite aloud.

The New Yorker

Hussein began to recite an Islamic prayer.

The Washington Post

She told Arden to recite the sentences by herself.

The New York Times - Magazine

Students stood to recite poetry, sing, and read.

The New Yorker

Adebimpe began to recite a monologue about making a connection.

The New Yorker

He's got it here, all handy to recite.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "to recite". It can imply formality, tradition, or even a rote learning process. Choose a more neutral alternative if these connotations are undesirable.

Common error

Avoid using "to recite" when the action is simply reading aloud without any implication of memorization or formal delivery. For example, if someone is reading a menu, "to read out" is more appropriate than "to recite".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to recite" functions as an infinitive, often serving as the object of a verb or as part of a verb phrase. As Ludwig AI's examples show, it indicates the action of repeating something aloud, usually from memory or a text.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to recite" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying the act of repeating something aloud from memory or a written text. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and academic writing. While generally neutral to formal, its connotation can shift based on the specific context. When employing "to recite", it's important to ensure clarity regarding the source and intention of the recitation, and to avoid confusion with simpler actions like reading aloud.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To repeat verbatim

Emphasizes word-for-word accuracy in the repetition.

To deliver a recitation

Focuses on the performance aspect of reciting.

To enumerate

Highlights the act of listing items in a specific order.

To declaim

Suggests a dramatic and forceful manner of reciting.

To reel off

Implies reciting something quickly and effortlessly.

To trot out

Suggests reciting something that is well-worn or frequently used.

To say aloud

Simply means to speak something so that it can be heard.

To read out

Implies reading from a text.

To quote

To repeat or copy out (a group of words from a text or speech), typically with an indication that one is not the original author or speaker.

To rehearse

To practice (a play, piece of music, or other work) for later public performance.

FAQs

How do I use "to recite" in a sentence?

Use "to recite" when you want to describe the act of repeating something aloud, often from memory, such as a poem or a list. For example, "The student was asked "to recite a poem"." or "He began "to recite statistics"".

What's the difference between "to recite" and "to read aloud"?

"To recite" implies repeating something from memory or a prepared text, often with a degree of formality or performance. "To read aloud" simply means to read something so that it can be heard, without necessarily implying memorization. You might "recite a poem" but "read aloud a letter".

What can I say instead of "to recite"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to repeat verbatim", "to deliver a recitation", or "to enumerate".

Is it correct to say "recite" something I'm reading for the first time?

While technically possible, "to recite" usually implies prior knowledge or memorization. It's more common to use "to read aloud" when you are reading something for the first time.