What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
narrate
Example
She narrated the story of her childhood to her grandchildren. [narrated: past tense verb]
Example
The documentary narrates the history of the city from its founding to the present day. [narrates: present tense verb]
recite
Example
The student recited the poem flawlessly in front of the class. [recited: past tense verb]
Example
The actor recited his lines perfectly during the play. [recited: past participle verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Narrate is more commonly used than recite in everyday language. Narrate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while recite is more specific and often used in formal or religious contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between narrate and recite?
Recite is typically associated with a formal or religious tone, while narrate is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
