What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overwritten
Example
The essay was overwritten with unnecessary details, making it hard to follow. [overwritten: adjective]
Example
She had to rewrite the entire chapter because it was overwritten and confusing. [overwritten: past participle]
retype
Example
I had to retype the entire report because I accidentally deleted the original file. [retype: verb]
Example
She decided to retype the letter to make it look more professional. [retype: infinitive]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retype is more commonly used than overwritten in everyday language. Retype is a straightforward term that is easy to understand, while overwritten is less common and may not be familiar to all ESL learners.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between overwritten and retype?
Both overwritten and retype are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.