What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
repeating
Example
I kept repeating the same mistake over and over again. [repeating: verb]
Example
The teacher noticed a repeating pattern in the student's behavior. [repeating: adjective]
repetitive
Example
The assembly line work was very repetitive and monotonous. [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?
Repeating is more commonly used than repetitive in everyday language. Repeating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while repetitive is more specific and is usually used to describe negative situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between repeating and repetitive?
Both repeating and repetitive are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
