What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
parroted
Example
The child parroted back the answer without really understanding the question. [parroted: verb]
Example
The politician parroted the same talking points in every interview. [parroted: past tense]
recited
Example
She recited the entire poem from memory, impressing the audience. [recited: past tense]
Example
The actor recited his lines flawlessly during the play. [recited: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recited is more commonly used than parroted in everyday language. Recited is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while parroted is less common and has a more negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between parroted and recited?
Recited is typically associated with a formal and intellectual tone, while parroted is more informal and can have a negative connotation of blindly repeating something without understanding it.