cycle repeating itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cycle repeating itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that occurs repeatedly in a predictable manner. Example: "Every year, it feels like the cycle repeating itself, with the same issues arising during the holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"To a lot of people, it seems like Groundhog Day, the endless cycle repeating itself," said Thomas Whalen, a political historian at Boston University.

The New York Times

The whole story seems to be like a cycle repeating itself over and over as Anna and the Swallow Man travel and explore Poland, never really seeming to have a final destination.

The Guardian

The evolutionary algorithm then evaluates each program in the new generation for fitness, winnows out the poorer performers, and allows reproduction to take place once again, with the cycle repeating itself as often as desired.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And the cycle repeats itself.

The New York Times

Then he will face a day of enormous challenges, before the night cycle repeats itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

But when I sat back down, the cycle repeated itself for the entire 13-hour flight.

The New York Times

Now the cycle repeats itself, and maybe not for the last time.

The Economist

For six years, this cycle repeated itself, and then he was in his mid-thirties and starting to lose his teeth.

The New Yorker

Oil was discovered in 1914, and a boom-bust cycle repeated itself in the 1920s, 1950s, and 1980s.

The New York Times - Travel

This cycle repeated itself at least twice, at steadily more violent levels, before the last operation began.

The New York Times

Later, this cycle repeats itself; the bold arcs of early-1990s banana leaves give way to 1999's tremulous beanstalks.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cycle repeating itself" when you want to emphasize the repetitive and predictable nature of a process or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "cycle repeating itself" when describing a single, isolated instance of repetition. This phrase is best suited for situations where a sequence of events or actions occurs multiple times in a recognizable pattern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cycle repeating itself" functions as a descriptive idiom, often used to characterize a situation or pattern that recurs regularly. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is indeed correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cycle repeating itself" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe a recurring pattern or situation. While relatively infrequent, it is utilized across various domains, including news media, science, and encyclopedias. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, suggesting it's a suitable choice when emphasizing the repetitive nature of events. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to a true cycle and not a single instance of repetition. Alternatives like "history repeating itself" or "vicious cycle" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

history repeating itself

Focuses specifically on historical events exhibiting recurrence.

Groundhog Day

Alludes to a situation where events are endlessly replayed.

pattern recurring

Highlights the recurrence of a recognizable pattern.

cyclical nature

Emphasizes the inherent cyclical properties of something.

vicious cycle

Implies a negative or harmful cycle that continues.

recurring theme

Highlights a theme that appears repeatedly.

the same old story

Indicates a familiar and often undesirable sequence of events.

boom and bust cycle

Specifically refers to economic cycles of growth and decline.

déjà vu

Expresses the feeling of having already experienced the present situation.

feedback loop

Describes a system where the output influences the input, creating a cycle.

FAQs

What does it mean when a cycle repeats itself?

It means that a series of events or a situation is occurring again and again, often in a predictable sequence. It suggests a lack of change or progress, with the same patterns emerging repeatedly.

How can I use "cycle repeating itself" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe various situations. For example: "The boom and bust "cycle repeats itself" in the oil industry." or "Without intervention, the pattern of poverty and crime "cycle repeats itself"."

What are some alternatives to "cycle repeating itself"?

Alternatives include phrases like "history repeating itself", "pattern recurring", or "vicious cycle", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "cycle repeats itself" and "cycle repeated itself"?

"Cycle repeats itself" is used in the present tense to describe an ongoing or habitual situation. "Cycle repeated itself" is used in the past tense to describe a specific instance where the cycle occurred.