Reiterate vs repeat

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New2grammar

#516147 Tue, 20 May 08 06:01 PM

As Myanmar began a three-day mourning period Tuesday, the World Bank reiterated that it cannot provide financial assistance or loans to the cyclone-ravaged country because of unpaid debts.

Can I replace 'reiterated' with 'repeated' without change of meaning?

Thanks!

New2grammar

Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006

Veteran Member (7,676)

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optilang

#516151 Tue, 20 May 08 06:11 PM

I think they can be replaced by each other - my feeling is reiterate is used in a stronger context.

I ask the class to repeat what I have said

I sometimes have to reiterate the importance of doing homework

optilang

Joined on Tue, May 13 2008

Poland

Senior Member (2,234)

OptiNative British English Speaker Wherever I may roam, I'm still a Londoner.

RayH

#516153 Tue, 20 May 08 06:13 PM

New2grammar
Can I replace 'reiterated' with 'repeated' without change of meaning?

According to the dictionary these two words are synonyms but in actual use I don't really think they are. Reiterate is more emphatic than repeat. Therefore the substitution you suggest would subtly alter the meaning. You would still be understood of course, but the altered statement would be less emphatic that the original.

RayH