What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retell
Example
Can you retell the story of Cinderella? [retell: verb]
Example
She retold the events of the party in her own words. [retold: past tense]
restate
Example
Could you restate your question, please? [restate: verb]
Example
He restated his argument to make it clearer. [restated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Restate is more commonly used than retell in academic or professional settings where clarity and precision are important. Retell is more commonly used in storytelling or recounting events.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between retell and restate?
Restate is more formal than retell due to its association with academic or professional settings. Retell is more casual and informal, often used in storytelling or everyday conversation.
