Recur vs. Reoccur – Which is Correct?

Understanding the difference between the words recur and reoccur can enhance your writing and comprehension skills. While both terms relate to events happening again, they have different nuances and contexts in which they are most appropriately used.

Recur or Reoccur – Which is Correct?

Both recur and reoccur are correct, but they are used in different contexts. Recur refers to events that happen repeatedly at regular intervals, while reoccur is used when an event happens again but not necessarily at regular intervals.

Word	When to Use	Example
Recur	To happen repeatedly at regular intervals.	The meeting will recur every Friday.
Reoccur	To happen again, but not necessarily at regular intervals.	The symptoms may reoccur after treatment.

How to Use Recur

To use recur correctly, focus on situations that describe events or actions happening at specific intervals.

Example 1: The pain may recur after the medication wears off.

Example 2: Our annual team-building retreat will recur next month.

Example 3: If the issue continues to recur, we will need a lasting solution.

What are the different forms of Recur?

“Recur” is a regular verb, forming its different tenses in the usual way. The base form is “to recur.” The present tense would be “I recur,” “you recur,” “he/she/it recurs,” etc. The past tense is “I recurred,” “you recurred,” and “he/she/it recurred.” The future tense would be “I will recur,” “you will recur,” and “he/she/it will recur.” Its present participle form is “recurring,” and the past participle is “recurred.”

Etymology of the word Recur

The word recur is derived from the Latin word recurrere, meaning “to run back.” The prefix re- implies repetition, while currere means “to run,” thus emphasizing the concept of something returning repeatedly.

How to Use Reoccur

To use reoccur correctly, employ it in contexts describing events that take place again without a specific regularity.

Example 1: The issue can reoccur at any time.

Example 2: The review process may reoccur annually, depending on the findings.

Example 3: Flooding could reoccur if the storm returns.

What are the different forms of Reoccur?

“Reoccur” is also a regular verb, forming its tenses in the usual way. Its base form is “to reoccur.” The present tense includes “I reoccur,” “you reoccur,” “he/she/it reoccurs,” etc. The past tense would be “I reoccurred,” “you reoccurred,” and “he/she/it reoccurred.” For the future tense: “I will reoccur,” “you will reoccur,” and “he/she/it will reoccur.” The present participle form is “reoccurring,” while the past participle form is “reoccurred.”

Etymology of the word Reoccur

The term reoccur combines the prefix re- meaning “again” and the verb occur, which comes from the Latin occurrere, meaning “to run to meet” or “to happen.”

Practice Exercises

1. The event will _______ every three months.
2. The memory began to _______ in her mind.
3. We expect the festival to _______ in the same month next year.
4. It’s possible for the problems to _______ without warning.
5. Such a situation can _______ if not addressed.

Answer Key

1. recur
2. reoccur
3. recur
4. reoccur
5. recur

Recur Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Repeat	To do or say something again.
Reappear	To come into view again.

Reoccur Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Happen again	To take place once more.
Come back	To return or happen again.

Conclusion

In summary, while both recur and reoccur describe instances of repetition, the key difference lies in the regularity of the events they describe. Understanding these nuances will enable better communication and clarity in your writing.