a recurring pattern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a recurring pattern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which an event, trend, or behavior is repeated over a period of time. For example, "The student noticed a recurring pattern of anxiety every time she had to take an exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That criticism follows a recurring pattern.

The New York Times

This is a recurring pattern for the Scots.

The Guardian - Sport

It's true: you'd be hard pressed to see a recurring pattern in Duff's CV.

The Guardian

They said he had to go because he had "a recurring pattern of personal misconduct".

The New York Times

Sorting through this company of monomaniacs, Isaacson finds a recurring pattern, a binary pairing of opposites.

The Guardian - Books

Rock historians tend to arrange rock's past into a recurring pattern of emergence, appropriation, and decline.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Burkert shows how certain Greek myths have a recurring pattern that he calls "the girl's tragedy".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Efforts such as these might be the south's last stand against a recurring pattern of legalised discrimination with infinitesimal consequences.

The Guardian

It's a recurring pattern of building anticipation before a blast of eye-popping scenery, and then a brief lull before the buildup starts again.

The New York Times - Travel

It was part of a recurring pattern which led him to support figures he should have detested such as Richard Nixon and his vice-president Spiro Agnew.

The Guardian

She was a muse and then his wife (from 1946 to 1950), part of a recurring pattern in Balanchine's life, to which "Nikolai and the Others" obliquely hints.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "recurring pattern", be specific about the elements that repeat and the context in which they appear. Providing clear details enhances the clarity and impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a recurring pattern" as a vague substitute for precise analysis. Instead of simply stating there's a pattern, identify the key components and their relationships to provide meaningful insights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a recurring pattern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It describes a repetitive sequence or arrangement, as demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a recurring pattern" is a versatile phrase used to describe a repeated sequence or arrangement across various domains. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage. This analysis highlights that the phrase is most frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, emphasizing its role in identifying and describing repetitive phenomena. When using "a recurring pattern", ensure to provide specific examples to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "a frequent pattern" or "a repeating pattern" can be used for slight variations in emphasis. The phrase is a valuable tool for clear and effective communication across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequent pattern

Replaces the word "recurring" with "frequent", which means happening often or at short intervals.

a repeating pattern

Substitutes "recurring" with "repeating", which implies that something is happening or appearing again.

a recurring scheme

Replaces "pattern" with a word suggesting a more deliberate or planned sequence.

a recurring sequence

Substitutes "pattern" with a word that suggests a set order or arrangement.

a repeat pattern

Changes "recurring" to "repeat", suggesting something that is done, experienced, or produced more than once.

a recurring profile

Substitutes "pattern" with a term implying a recognizable set of characteristics.

a recurring model

Replaces "pattern" with a term indicating a structure that can be copied or replicated.

a recurring trend

Replaces "pattern" with a word indicating a general direction or tendency.

a circulating pattern

Changes "recurring" to "circulating", suggesting something that is cyclical or moves around.

a recurring plan

Replaces "pattern" with a word implying a predetermined set of actions.

FAQs

How can I effectively illustrate "a recurring pattern" in my writing?

Provide specific examples and evidence to support the claim that a pattern exists. Use descriptive language to highlight the repeating elements and their context. For example, instead of saying "There's a recurring pattern of delays", specify what kind of delays, when they occur, and their impact.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a recurring pattern"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a frequent pattern", "a repeating pattern", or "a recurring sequence" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is it redundant to say "recurring pattern" since a pattern implies repetition?

While "pattern" inherently suggests repetition, using "recurring pattern" emphasizes that the repetition happens over time or in different instances. It adds clarity, especially when distinguishing from static or one-time patterns.

In what contexts is "a recurring pattern" most commonly used?

The phrase "a recurring pattern" is widely used in various fields, including science, news and media, and encyclopedias, to describe phenomena that repeat or appear consistently. For example, it can be used to explain "a recurring scheme" in political events, "a recurring trend" in economic data, or "a recurring model" in scientific experiments.