student asking question

Can I use "repeat" instead of "repeat back"? What's different between "repeat" and "repeat back"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

To "repeat back" specifically means to recite something back to the person you are speaking with. "Repeat" has the same intended effect as "repeat back," with a little less specificity. "Repeat back" is a little bit redundant as the "back" is already implied in the word "repeat." Ultimately, both can be used in this context. Ex: Repeat the answer back to me. Ex: Can you repeat your question?

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