Master confusing words with ease
Recur vs. Reoccur
Recur
/rɪˈkɜː/Examples:
The symptoms may recur every few weeks.Dreams of flying often recur in her sleep.Family gatherings recur on significant anniversaries.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Reoccur
Examples:
The issue is likely to reoccur if not addressed.Floods in this region tend to reoccur annually.He feared the nightmares would reoccur tonight.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Remember recur is often used for something happening periodically or at regular intervals, like a recurring weekly meeting.
- Reoccur is used for events that take place again but not necessarily at regular intervals, like an earthquake that happens after a long period.
- Think of recur as part of a cycle, implying repetition thats expected, whereas reoccur' is more unexpected or isolated repetition.
- Both words imply repetition, but recur has a slightly more predictable sense compared to reoccur.
- Use recur when discussing regular patterns, but use reoccur for sporadic, less predictable events.
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