reoccur

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reoccur" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that happens again after a period of time, often in a recurring manner. Example: "The issue seems to reoccur every few months, despite our attempts to fix it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

No one can say with any certainty that a tragedy will never happen again but it is significantly more unlikely to reoccur today – and the beds of Morecambe Bay have been closed for commercial gathering for more than six years.

The Guardian - Opinion

In recent days temperatures in one of the plant's reactors may have hovered too close for comfort to the level where a chain-reaction might reoccur from melted fuel.

The Economist

For dealing with such problems, a great deal of work has been devoted to determining from past records the frequency with which rainfalls of given intensity and total amount may be expected to reoccur at particular locations and also to determining the statistics of rainfall for a specific area from measurements made at only a few points.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One of the early contributors to the field, American psychologist Edward L. Thorndike, postulated the Law of Effect, which stated that those behavioral responses (R) that were most closely followed by a satisfactory result were most likely to become established patterns and to reoccur in response to the same stimulus (S).

Encyclopedia Britannica

He crashed into the hurdle as an Achilles injury – one of a series to dog him - appeared to reoccur in the first few yards of the first heat.

Independent

"As Alberto doesn't yet fall in the plans of Liverpool, we want to find a solution so that next year the current situation will not reoccur again," Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia told Sportitalia.

Independent

The Sabbath and festivals are bound to the Jewish calendar, reoccur at fixed intervals, and are celebrated at home and in the synagogue according to ritual set forth in Jewish law and hallowed by Jewish custom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mornings reoccur.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Adele said a number of the questions she receives as a woman are painfully predictable, including one that keeps reoccurring.

Independent

Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: "While the Pope has acknowledged the gravity of the abuse, more needs to be done to offer redress to the victims and prevent these abuses from reoccurring".

Independent

They shouldn't be reoccurring: there is some protection (though not in Northern Ireland) from the 2010 Equalities Act, which indicates that treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding is sex discrimination, but action under this requires the woman to make a complaint, then follow it through a long and taxing process to get redress.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reoccur", ensure that the context clearly indicates a repetition of the same event or phenomenon. Avoid using it when referring to similar but distinct occurrences.

Common error

Avoid using "reoccur" when describing events that are similar but not the exact same. For instance, saying "similar errors reoccurred" might be less precise than saying "similar errors occurred repeatedly".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reoccur" is as an intransitive verb, indicating that something happens again. As evidenced by Ludwig, this usage aligns with standard English grammar and is commonly found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reoccur" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that describes the repetition of an event or phenomenon. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. It's important to use "reoccur" when referring to identical events repeating, and to consider alternatives like ""happen again"" or "recur" for slight variations in meaning. While versatile, its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happen again

Emphasizes the repetition of an event, action, or situation.

recur

Implies a cyclical or periodic return.

repeat itself

Highlights the identical nature of the repeated event.

come back

Suggests a return after an absence.

happen repeatedly

Focuses on the frequency of occurrence.

re-emerge

Implies a reappearance after being hidden or dormant.

crop up again

Indicates a sudden or unexpected reappearance of a problem or issue.

surface again

Suggests the reappearance of something previously hidden or forgotten.

resurface

Similar to 'surface again', but often implies a more significant or impactful return.

be reiterated

Focuses on the repetition of statements or ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "reoccur" in a sentence?

You can use "reoccur" to describe events that happen again. For example, "The problem seems to "happen again" every few months despite our attempts to fix it."

What's the difference between "reoccur" and "recur"?

"Reoccur" and "recur" are often used interchangeably, but "recur" might imply a more regular or cyclical repetition, while "reoccur" simply means to happen again. Using "happen again" can work in many contexts.

What can I say instead of "reoccur"?

You can use alternatives like ""happen again"", "recur", or "repeat itself" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "reoccur" in formal writing?

Yes, "reoccur" is correct and appropriate for formal writing. Its usage is well-documented in reputable sources, so it's suitable for academic or professional contexts.