restate
C1Neutral to formal. Common in academic, business, legal, and journalistic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
to say something again or in a different way, especially to make it clearer or more accurate.
To formally present or announce something again, often with corrections or updates, as in financial reporting, legal arguments, or policy positions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies repetition with the purpose of clarification, correction, emphasis, or official confirmation. Not simply repeating the same words verbatim without purpose.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is the same.
Connotations
Slightly more common in formal British legal and parliamentary contexts. In American English, strongly associated with corporate earnings reports.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, with a slight edge in American business English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] restate [O][S] restate that-clause[S] restate [O] as [O-complement][S] restate [O] in [adjunct]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To restate the obvious.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company was forced to restate its annual profits after discovering an accounting error.
Academic
In your conclusion, you should restate your main argument and summarise your findings.
Everyday
Could you restate that? I didn't quite catch your meaning.
Technical
The lawyer asked the witness to restate her testimony for the record.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The minister will restate the government's commitment to the policy in tomorrow's debate.
- The report's conclusion was restated in simpler terms for the public.
American English
- The CEO had to restate the quarterly earnings during the investor call.
- Let me restate my point so there's no confusion.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher asked me to restate the question in my own words.
- I didn't understand, so he restated the instructions.
- The author restated her central thesis in the final paragraph for emphasis.
- The spokesperson restated the official position on the matter.
- Following the audit, the corporation was compelled to restate its financial statements for the past two years.
- The judge asked the counsel to restate the objection more precisely.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'state' (a condition or declaration). To RE-STATE is to declare your 'state' again, making it clear.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLARITY IS SEEING CLEARLY. Restating is like wiping a foggy window to allow a clearer view of the idea.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'to state' (утверждать, заявлять). 'Restate' is not 'to recover' or 'to restore' (восстанавливать). The prefix 're-' here signals repetition, not reversal.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'restate' as a synonym for 'reply' or 'answer'. Incorrect: *'He restated to my email.'
- Using it for simple, mindless repetition without a purpose of clarification.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'restate' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Repeat' is neutral, meaning to say again. 'Restate' implies doing so with a specific purpose: to clarify, correct, emphasise, or formalise.
Yes, but it sounds slightly more formal than 'say again'. In very casual talk, phrases like 'say that again' or 'put it another way' are more common.
The most common noun is 'restatement'. (e.g., 'a restatement of the company's goals').
Yes, they are close. 'Reiterate' emphasises repetition for emphasis, often multiple times. 'Restate' focuses on changing the formulation for clarity or accuracy, though it can also be used for simple reaffirmation.