recurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "recurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an instance of something happening again or reoccurring, usually after a period of time. For example, "The recurrence of the solar eclipse was recorded in the ancient texts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It remains completely unclear what proportion of local law enforcement agencies tell the federal government when they kill someone, something that is a rare occurrence in most departments but an annual recurrence in larger ones.

The Guardian

The principal goal of the postwar economic settlement was to avert a recurrence of the protectionism associated with economic depression and the rise of, well, Hitler.

The Guardian - Business

The chances of a recurrence of depression are far higher in people who do not have some form of psychiatric therapy than for those who do.

The Guardian

"There is therefore a foolproof method of ensuring that the trust is held to account in respect of all outstanding actions and that learning from incidents can take place to prevent recurrence," he said.

The Guardian

The 33-year-old, who has endured a chronic back problem in the last few years, was forced to return home early from the triangular series with South Africa and Zimbabwe after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

The Guardian - Sport

In the circumstances, calling for better stewarding to prevent a recurrence of something like this is akin to demanding improved street-lighting after the Ripper murders.

The Guardian - Sport

The therapy may be used to destroy or shrink tumours, to halt malignancies, to reduce the odds of recurrence or to reduce the severity of the disease.

The Economist

Tom Coburn, who announced his retirement from the Senate on January 16th, after a recurrence of the cancer he has been fighting for a while, was pleasingly hard to read.Mr Coburn has been a hero to conservatives for opposing abortion, denying climate change, opposing gun control and attacking wasteful spending.

The Economist

Bodies are remarkably resilient, however, and despite often challenging short-term effects, tissues recover and long-term damage in those that avoid the recurrence of cancer is often minor.

The Economist

After surgery, such women are likely to respond well to hormonal treatment, such as tamoxifen, to prevent a recurrence of the disease.

The Economist

The missing market Be prepared Easy to lose Learning to live with uncertainty Acknowledgments ReprintsIn the face of such scandals, it is tempting to call for new laws to prevent a recurrence, but that may not be the right answer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "recurrence" to specifically denote the reappearance or repeated occurrence of something, particularly after a period of absence or remission, as in the context of a disease or a problem.

Common error

Avoid using "recurrence" when simple repetition is meant. "Recurrence" implies a return after an interval, not just a continuous or immediate repetition. Choose "repetition" or "reiteration" for the latter.

Linguistic Context

The noun "recurrence" functions primarily to denote the act or instance of something happening again. It often refers to the return of a condition, event, or problem, especially after a period of absence or remission. As Ludwig AI states, it is a valid term in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recurrence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that refers to the reappearance or repeated occurrence of something, often after a period of absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and useful term in English. Its usage is most common in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, where it serves to highlight patterns and the cyclical nature of events. While synonyms like "reappearance", "repetition", and "relapse" exist, "recurrence" carries the specific implication of a return after an interval. When using "recurrence", ensure it accurately reflects this sense of reappearance rather than simple, continuous repetition. The high frequency of examples provided by Ludwig underscores its relevance and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reoccurrence

Is a direct synonym, differing only slightly in common usage.

reappearance

Focuses specifically on the act of appearing again after a period of absence.

repetition

Emphasizes the act of repeating something, often in a more immediate or less temporally spaced manner.

reiteration

Implies a restatement or repeating for emphasis.

relapse

Specifically refers to a return to a previous, often negative, state or condition, particularly in the context of health or behavior.

return

Indicates a coming back to a previous place, state, or condition.

resurgence

Suggests a rising again into prominence or activity.

comeback

Typically refers to a return to success or popularity after a period of decline.

recidivism

Specifically denotes the tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior, especially criminal behavior.

periodicity

Highlights the regularly repeating nature of an event or phenomenon.

FAQs

How to use "recurrence" in a sentence?

Use "recurrence" to indicate that something is happening again, often after an interval. For example, "The doctors are monitoring the patient for any recurrence of the illness."

What can I say instead of "recurrence"?

You can use alternatives like "reappearance", "repetition", or "relapse" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "recurrence" or "reoccurrence"?

"Recurrence" and "reoccurrence" are often used interchangeably, but "recurrence" is generally more common and slightly preferred.

What's the difference between "recurrence" and "repetition"?

"Recurrence" implies a return after a period of time, while "repetition" simply means something is repeated, without necessarily implying an interval.