What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
repeated
Example
He repeated the same mistake twice. [repeated: past participle]
Example
The teacher repeated the instructions for the students who didn't understand. [repeated: verb]
repetitive
Example
The assembly line job was very repetitive and tedious. [repetitive: adjective]
Example
The song had a repetitive chorus that got stuck in my head. [repetitive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repeated is more commonly used than repetitive in everyday language. Repeated is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while repetitive is more limited in scope and often used to describe specific tasks or activities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between repeated and repetitive?
Both repeated and repetitive are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
