What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
recitation
Example
The students took turns reciting their favorite poems in class. [reciting: present participle]
Example
She spent hours reciting her lines for the school play. [reciting: gerund]
chanting
Example
The monks began chanting their evening prayers. [chanting: present participle]
Example
She found peace in chanting the mantra she learned from her yoga teacher. [chanting: gerund]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recitation is more commonly used than chanting in everyday language, as it can be applied to a wider range of contexts. However, chanting is more commonly associated with religious or spiritual practices.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between recitation and chanting?
Recitation is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts. Chanting, on the other hand, is typically associated with a more formal or religious tone.
