What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reliving
Example
As she watched the old home videos, she felt like she was reliving her childhood. [reliving: verb]
Example
The war veteran had nightmares where he was reliving the traumatic events he experienced. [reliving: gerund or present participle]
recalling
Example
I have trouble recalling names, but I never forget a face. [recalling: verb]
Example
She recalled the events of that fateful day with great clarity. [recalled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recalling is more commonly used than reliving in everyday language. Recalling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while reliving is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reliving and recalling?
Both reliving and recalling are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
