Do the same vs Repeat

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Do the same

Top 2,000 (common)

Repeat

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 verb

Most common: Repeat

	Do the same	Repeat
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //duː ðə seɪm// 🇺🇸 //du ðə seɪm//	🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈpiːt/","/rɪˈpiːts/","/rɪˈpiːtɪd/","/rɪˈpiːtɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈpiːt/","/rɪˈpiːts/","/rɪˈpiːtɪd/","/rɪˈpiːtɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	Repeat what someone else did.	To say or do something again.
Example	When he finishes his homework, you can do the same.	Please repeat the instructions so everyone understands.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	-	A1
Part of speech		verb
Collocations	do the same thing, do the same as, do the same action	just, merely, simply, can only, be necessary to, need to, after, to, keep repeating somebody/​something, just, merely, simply, can only, be necessary to, need to, after, to, keep repeating somebody/​something, just, merely, simply, can only, be necessary to, need to, after, to, keep repeating somebody/​something, just, merely, simply, can only, be necessary to, need to, after, to, keep repeating somebody/​something, just, merely, simply, can only, be necessary to, need to, after, to, keep repeating somebody/​something
Antonyms	-	stop, ignore, forget
Common mistakes	Confused with 'do the different' - which is incorrect., Using inappropriately in formal situations where more specific language is needed.	Confused with 'replay' (for videos), Using 'repeated' instead of 'repeat' when requesting action, Misplacing the object, e.g., 'repeat me' instead of 'repeat this'
Usage notes	Use this phrase when instructing someone to replicate an action. It's suitable in both casual and formal contexts.	Use 'repeat' when asking someone to say something again. It's generally neutral and appropriate in most contexts, but avoid using in very formal writing.

See it in real clips

- We'd do the same thing. - No, we wouldn't!

Perhaps convince some of your friends in the movies to do the same.

- We'd do the same thing. - No, we wouldn't!

Perhaps convince some of your friends in the movies to do the same.

Do the same

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

- It was six stones or nothing. - You're repeating yourself,

The Pitt › S1 E1

500 of azithromycin, repeat lactic in three hours.

Do not attempt docking. I repeat, do not attempt docking.

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

- It was six stones or nothing. - You're repeating yourself,

The Pitt › S1 E1

500 of azithromycin, repeat lactic in three hours.

Repeat

Frequently asked questions: Do the same vs Repeat

What's the difference between Do the same and Repeat?

Do the same: Repeat what someone else did. Repeat: To say or do something again.

Which is more common: Do the same and Repeat?

Repeat is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Do the same: When he finishes his homework, you can do the same. Repeat: Please repeat the instructions so everyone understands.

Can I use Do the same and Repeat interchangeably?

Not always. Do the same and Repeat are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.