recurring episode

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recurring episode" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that happens repeatedly over time, often in contexts like medical conditions, television shows, or personal experiences. Example: "The patient has been experiencing a recurring episode of migraines that disrupts their daily life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Another recurring episode during the campaign was for Obama and his advisers to be debating something while Gibbs sat off to the side staring into his BlackBerry.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I think I have recurring episodes of depression.

The New Yorker

Without a strategy that efficiently marshals available modern technology, California residents are faced with recurring episodes of fire-related tragedy and loss.

University of California, Berkeley

Latin America experienced recurring episodes of populism, and of military reaction against populists, during the twentieth century, frequently ending in coups d'état.

Stanford University

The disorder has long been recognized as a serious psychiatric illness in adults, characterized by recurring episodes of mania and depression.

The New Yorker

India may be particularly sensitive to security issues because of its long-running border disputes with Pakistan, its rival nuclear power, and recurring episodes of terrorism.

The New York Times - Tech

Vice President Dick Cheney is heading back to the hospital this morning for the latest in what are becoming recurring episodes involving his damaged heart.

The New York Times

It is a pessimism that warns not only of the danger of recurring episodes of catastrophe as Arab societies break apart, but of the dismal prospect of an endless war that will provoke future tragedies in the 21st century.

The New York Times

Relapsing fever, infectious disease characterized by recurring episodes of fever separated by periods of relative well-being and caused by spirochetes, or spiral-shaped bacteria, of the genus Borrelia.

Britannica

I am astonished to learn that Mr. Schreiner believes that linking Lincoln's recurring episodes of depression with "emotional disappointments rather than to a chemical imbalance seems quaint rather than scientific".

The New York Times

The vast majority of these cases have never been made public, but law enforcement officials who have reviewed the problem say the F.B.I. has grappled with recurring episodes in which agents have had sexual or financial relationships with confidential informants.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical conditions or recurring problems, use "recurring episode" to clearly indicate that the issue is not a one-time event. This adds clarity and emphasis to the ongoing nature of the problem.

Common error

Avoid using "recurring episode" when describing a one-time event. "Episode" alone is sufficient for single occurrences. The term "recurring" should only be used when the event happens more than once.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recurring episode" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It describes an event or situation that happens repeatedly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "recurring episode" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase to describe events or situations that happen repeatedly. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's particularly useful in medical, psychological, and general contexts to emphasize the ongoing nature of an issue. While alternatives like "recurrent event" exist, "recurring episode" clearly signals a non-isolated occurrence. When writing, avoid using it for single incidents to maintain clarity. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic writing, making it a versatile and reliable choice across various registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recurrent event

Emphasizes the repeated nature of an event, differing slightly in formality.

repeated occurrence

Highlights the fact that something is happening again, focusing on the instance.

periodic instance

Implies that the event happens at regular intervals, adding a time-related aspect.

intermittent episode

Suggests that the episode stops and starts, adding a sense of irregularity.

relapsing incident

Focuses on the idea of something returning after a period of improvement or remission, common in medical contexts.

chronic recurrence

Emphasizes the long-term and persistent nature of the recurrence.

habitual reoccurrence

Suggests a pattern or tendency for something to happen again.

successive event

Highlights the sequential nature of the events, differing in emphasis from the original phrase.

iterative cycle

Suggests a process that repeats in a loop, adding a procedural element.

persistent pattern

Emphasizes the consistency and continuation of the sequence or series.

FAQs

How to use "recurring episode" in a sentence?

You can use "recurring episode" to describe events that happen repeatedly. For example, "The patient has been experiencing a "recurring episode" of migraines."

What can I say instead of "recurring episode"?

You can use alternatives like "recurrent event", "repeated occurrence", or "periodic instance" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "recurring episode" or "recurrent episode"?

Both "recurring episode" and "recurrent episode" are correct and often interchangeable. "Recurrent" simply means happening repeatedly or periodically, while "recurring" carries the same meaning.

What's the difference between "recurring episode" and "isolated incident"?

A ""recurring episode"" implies that an event happens multiple times, whereas an "isolated incident" suggests that something happens only once and is not part of a pattern.