What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
narrate
Example
The author narrated the story of his life in great detail. [narrated: verb]
Example
She narrated the events of the day to her friend over the phone. [narrated: past tense]
relate
Example
He related his own experience with depression to help his friend who was going through a tough time. [related: verb]
Example
I can relate to your struggles as I have been through something similar myself. [relate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Relate is more commonly used than narrate in everyday language. Relate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while narrate is less common and often used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between narrate and relate?
While narrate is typically associated with a more formal or professional tone, relate is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in a wider range of situations.
