What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
describe
Example
Can you describe what the suspect looked like? [describe: verb]
Example
She described her trip to the beach in vivid detail. [described: past tense]
narrate
Example
He narrated the tale of his adventure in the jungle. [narrated: past tense]
Example
The documentary narrates the history of the American Civil War. [narrates: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Describe is more commonly used than narrate in everyday language. Describe is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while narrate is less common and often used in specific situations such as storytelling or historical accounts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between describe and narrate?
Describe is typically associated with a formal and objective tone, while narrate is more flexible and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the purpose and audience.
