What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prerecorded
Example
The movie we watched was prerecorded and not live. [prerecorded: adjective]
Example
Please leave a message after the beep. The voice you hear is prerecorded. [prerecorded: adjective]
Example
The concert was prerecorded and broadcasted on TV later. [prerecorded: past participle]
recorded
Example
I recorded the TV show so I can watch it later. [recorded: past tense]
Example
The voicemail message was recorded by the recipient. [recorded: past participle]
Example
The band's live performance was recorded and released as an album. [recorded: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recorded is more commonly used than prerecorded in everyday language. Recorded is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while prerecorded is less common and is mostly used in the context of media and entertainment.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prerecorded and recorded?
Both prerecorded and recorded are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
