“Reoccur” and “recur” can be tricky words. People tend to use them in the same situations, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing.
In this article, we’ll break down the subtle differences between “reoccurs vs recurs” so you can be sure you’re using the right word at the right time for clarity and precision in your writing.
Reoccur vs. Recur: What’s the Difference?
Both reoccur and recur mean “to happen again,” but there’s a subtle difference in how they’re used.
Reoccur: To Happen Again
Reoccur means simply to happen again, without any implication of regularity. It just means something has occurred more than once.
For example: “Symptoms may reoccur if treatment is discontinued.” This means the symptoms might happen again, but it doesn’t suggest a predictable pattern.
Recur: To Happen at Regular Intervals
Recur means to happen again repeatedly or at regular intervals. It suggests a pattern or predictable repetition.
For example: “Fear of technological change recurs throughout Dickens’ writing.” This indicates that the theme appears repeatedly in his works, showing a pattern.
Key Differences and Contextual Usage
The main difference between “reoccur” and “recur” hinges on whether the event in question happens regularly.
“Reoccur” simply means something happened again. “Recur,” on the other hand, implies a pattern of regular repetition.
Here are a couple of examples:
- “My back pain has been recurring for years since my injury.” (The word “recurring” suggests a regular pattern.)
- “Patrick’s back problem from last summer reoccurred.” (The word “reoccurred” suggests it happened again, but not necessarily regularly.)
Both words have verb forms (“reoccur” and “recur”) and adjective forms (“reoccurring” and “recurring”). The same distinction applies to both forms: regularity versus non-regularity.
For example, you might say, “It was a reoccurring scenario—one we had hoped to avoid.” Or you might say, “These incidents have been recurring for years.”
How to choose the right word
Here’s a quick guide:
- Ask yourself: Does the event happen repeatedly or just more than once? If it seems to happen repeatedly or regularly, use “recur” or “recurring.” If it happens more than once but without a clear pattern, use “reoccur” or “reoccurring.”
- Consider the context: Does the sentence imply a pattern or predictability? If so, “recur” is the better choice. Otherwise, “reoccur” is appropriate.
- Acknowledge the subtle difference: Using the right word can enhance precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use “reoccur” in a sentence?
You’d use “reoccur” in a sentence much like you’d use “recur.” For example: “The issue seems to reoccur every few months.” However, keep in mind that “recur” is generally preferred and considered more formal.
What does “recur” mean?
“Recur” means to occur again, especially after an interval. It implies a repetition or return of something, whether it’s an event, a thought, or a problem. Think of it as something that happens, then happens again.
When did “reoccur” become a word?
While “recur” has been around since the 15th century, “reoccur” is a relative newcomer. It started appearing in the late 19th century. However, even though it’s been around for a while, it’s still often viewed as less formal and less correct than “recur.”
What is the difference between “reoccur” and “recur?”
Technically, both words mean the same thing: to happen again. However, “recur” is the older, more established, and generally preferred term. “Reoccur” is considered by many to be redundant since “cur” already implies occurrence. Think of “reoccur” as a slightly less sophisticated, though still understandable, alternative to “recur.”
Conclusion
The main difference between “reoccur” and “recur” is whether something happens regularly or not.
To choose the best word, think about how often something happens. Understanding this subtle difference can help you write more clearly and precisely.