Recurring vs. Reoccurring: What’s the Difference?

Both recurring and reoccurring mean that something happens again, but there’s a subtle difference in how often and how regularly it happens.

Let’s break it down clearly.

Recurring: Happens Regularly or Repeatedly

Meaning

“Recurring” describes something that happens repeatedly, often on a schedule.
It suggests regular repetition — something that keeps coming back consistently.

Examples of “Recurring” (10 total)

1. I have a recurring meeting every Monday.
2. She suffers from recurring headaches.
3. The company has a recurring billing system.
4. That’s a recurring theme in his writing.
5. He made the same recurring mistake in every project.
6. This problem is recurring because no one fixed the root cause.
7. The show has a recurring guest star.
8. I keep having the same recurring dream.
9. The fee is charged on a recurring basis.
10. Climate patterns like El Niño are recurring phenomena.

🧠 Tip:
If it happens regularly or predictably, use recurring.

Reoccurring: Happens Again (But Not Regularly)

Meaning

“Reoccurring” means happening again, but not necessarily at regular intervals.
It might happen just once more, or occasionally, without a pattern.

Examples of “Reoccurring” (10 total)

1. The problem reoccurred after the last update.
2. That issue keeps reoccurring, but not every time.
3. Her symptoms reoccurred months after treatment.
4. The noise reoccurred yesterday but hasn’t since.
5. These small bugs seem to reoccur randomly.
6. The flooding reoccurred after the heavy rain.
7. The glitch reoccurred during testing.
8. The event reoccurred unexpectedly.
9. The pain reoccurred after a long break.
10. The power outage reoccurred once more this week.

🧠 Tip:
If it happens again but not regularly, use reoccurring.

Quick Comparison Table

How to Remember the Difference

👉 Recurring = Regular repetition
👉 Reoccurring = Happens again (but irregularly)

💡 Memory Trick:

“Recurring” keeps returning.
“Reoccurring” just occurs again.

When to Use in Writing

• Use recurring for schedules, payments, themes, or predictable cycles.
• Use reoccurring for random or one-time returns of an event or issue.
• In most cases, recurring is the preferred word — it’s more common and widely accepted in both professional and casual writing.

Why AI and Writers Mix Them Up

They both come from the root word occur, and both suggest repetition.
But their nuance — regular vs. occasional — can be lost in automated or careless writing.
That’s why Humanizey helps refine subtle word choices like this, ensuring your AI-written content sounds natural and precise.

FAQs

1. Are “reoccurring” and “recurring” interchangeable?

Not exactly. Reoccurring means “happening again,” while recurring means “happening repeatedly or regularly.”

2. Which one should I use in business writing?

Use recurring — it’s clearer and more professional.

3. Is “reoccur” a real word?

Yes, but less common. It’s the verb form of reoccurring.

4. Can I say “recurring problem”?

Yes! That’s the standard way to describe an issue that happens again and again.

Practice: Choose the Correct Word (“Recurring” or “Reoccurring”)

(Answers are listed at the end.)

1. The error message keeps ___ every few days.
2. I have a ___ payment set up for rent.
3. This is a ___ theme in her novels.
4. The issue suddenly ___ after months of silence.
5. He has ___ nightmares about the same event.
6. The flooding has been a ___ problem for years.
7. Her pain ___ only once since surgery.
8. We’re investigating a ___ network outage.
9. The noise ___ once, then stopped again.
10. They have ___ meetings every Friday morning.

Answers

1. reoccurring
2. recurring
3. recurring
4. reoccurring
5. recurring
6. recurring
7. reoccurring
8. recurring
9. reoccurring
10. recurring