recurring

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'recurring' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that is used to describe something which happens repeatedly, usually at regular intervals. For example, "The recurring monthly payments from that company were always on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Williams, however, must be concerned about her health because these coughing fits have been recurring at major tournaments.

The Guardian - Sport

Recurring issues of unemployment, job insecurity and low pay were also foremost on voter's minds.

The Guardian

Viggo's lack of physical vanity has become a recurring theme in his work.

The Guardian - Film

In the 1990s, Loretta suffered from recurring lymphoma and finally underwent successful stem-cell treatment.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Week 10: Case Study: Sit-Com and Narrative Comedy - Wednesday 25 November An analysis of three current comedies – British and American – focussing on recurring character types and situations and what makes them funny.

The Guardian

But then, in the next breath, he says he never feels weighed down by gravity when he walks down the street, that he reads the Bible and the spirit breathes life into him, that he has a recurring dream where he has a gold crown, and he's sitting under a tree, with a lion under one arm and a lioness under the other.

The Guardian - Music

Too weak, too close to government, too reluctant to criticise the agencies are some of the recurring jibes.

The Guardian

He sometimes wonders about a more aggressive or cancerous tumour recurring, "But I'll deal with it if it does.

The Guardian - Music

But there was recurring evidence that he could be insensitive to democratic demands and insufficiently wary of authoritarian regimes.

The Guardian

You might, for example, belong to the kind of family where money and finances are a recurring theme in holiday arguments.

The Guardian - Books

The couple of recurring dreams that I have, and I'm sure other people have the same dreams, one of them is about losing my teeth, and another – and this is the classic one lecturers have – is just going to talk and finding out I've got no clothes on, no trousers and no underwear and there's nothing I can do about it".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or problems, use "recurring" to emphasize that they happen repeatedly, not just once. For example, "recurring technical issues" clarifies that the issues are not isolated incidents.

Common error

Using "recurring" multiple times in a single paragraph can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "frequent", "regular", or "periodic" to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The word "recurring" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something happens repeatedly or periodically. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples where "recurring" describes events, themes, or problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recurring" is a versatile adjective that describes something happening repeatedly or periodically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's prevalent in news, business, and scientific writing. While "recurring" is widely accepted, using synonyms can enhance readability, especially when avoiding repetitive use. Remember that while "reoccurring" is sometimes used, "recurring" remains the preferred spelling. Therefore, use "recurring" when you want to highlight the repetitive nature of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recurrent

A direct synonym, maintaining nearly identical meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

repeatedly occurring

Highlights the repetition aspect more directly than the original phrase.

periodically returning

Uses "periodically" to specify that returns happen in set periods.

frequently happening

Emphasizes the frequency of occurrence, differing slightly from the continuous implication of "recurring".

regularly appearing

Stresses the regularity of the appearances, which can be more predictable than "recurring".

returning at set times

Specifies that the returns happen at predictable, scheduled times.

happening at intervals

Focuses on the spaced-out nature of the events rather than their continuous return.

cyclic

Highlights a complete cycle of events, implying a return to the starting point.

intermittent

Implies something stopping and starting, not perfectly synonymous but related to repetitive behavior.

habitual

Indicates something done out of habit, implying consistent repetition.

FAQs

How to use "recurring" in a sentence?

Use "recurring" to describe something that happens repeatedly or at intervals. For instance, "The company faced "recurring financial losses"" or "He had a "recurring dream" about flying".

What can I say instead of "recurring"?

You can use alternatives like "recurrent", "frequent", "periodic", or "repetitive" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "recurring" or "reoccurring"?

"Recurring" is the correct spelling and more commonly used form. "Reoccurring" is less frequent but still recognized. However, it's generally best to stick with "recurring" to maintain clarity and avoid potential confusion.

What's the difference between "recurring" and "repeated"?

"Recurring" implies that something happens multiple times at intervals, potentially regularly. "Repeated" simply means something has happened more than once, without specifying intervals or regularity. For example, a "recurring payment" happens regularly, while a "repeated request" simply means the request was made more than once.