Meaning & use
rereading
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“rereading” is a form of “reread”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
noununcountable
The act of reading a text again, usually to understand or enjoy it more.
Grammar: Usually used without a: rereading helps memory.
Patterns
- the rereading of something
Rereading the instructions solved my problem.
Careful rereading showed a detail I had missed.
On rereading, the poem seemed sadder.
verbtransitive or intransitive
The -ing form of reread: reading something again.
Grammar: Takes an object (rereading the letter) or can stand alone (she kept rereading).
Patterns
- rereading something
I am rereading my favorite novel this week.
He kept rereading the message, unsure what it meant.
Rereading the chapter helped her pass the test.
Word forms
| base form | reread |
|---|
Common combinations
- careful rereading
- Careful rereading revealed a clue.
- on rereading
- On rereading, I found two errors.
- rereading a book
- Rereading a book can feel like meeting an old friend.
- keep rereading
- I keep rereading her email.
Synonyms and how they differ
- revisiting
- Revisiting is broader and can mean going back to any place or idea, not only a text.
- reviewing
- Reviewing suggests checking for study or errors, while rereading just means reading again.
- rereading
- The plain word for repeating a reading.
Word family
Commonly confused: rereading or reading?
rereading vs reading
Reading is the first time through or in general, while rereading is specifically a repeat.
Practice
Which is correct: I'm ___ the instructions because I didn't understand them.
Choose one answer.
After am we need the -ing form: rereading. Rereaded is not a word, and reread or rereads would not follow am.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rereading”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.