What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
recapitulative
Example
The professor gave a recapitulative lecture on the history of philosophy. [recapitulative: adjective]
Example
The article provided a helpful recapitulative of the major events of the year. [recapitulative: noun]
recapitulatory
Example
The speaker's recapitulatory remarks were met with applause from the audience. [recapitulatory: adjective]
Example
The meeting ended with a recapitulatory discussion of the key takeaways. [recapitulatory: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recapitulative is more common than recapitulatory in everyday language, especially in academic or formal contexts. Recapitulatory is less common and may not be familiar to many English speakers.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between recapitulative and recapitulatory?
Recapitulative is generally considered more formal than recapitulatory, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.