What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
recurrence
Example
The recurrence of the issue was frustrating for the team. [recurrence: noun]
Example
Her headaches had a recurrence after a few weeks. [recurrence: noun]
repetition
Example
The teacher emphasized the importance of repetition in language learning. [repetition: noun]
Example
He repeated the phrase several times to make sure he remembered it. [repeated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repetition is more common than recurrence in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Recurrence is more specialized and often used in medical or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between recurrence and repetition?
Both recurrence and repetition can be used in formal or informal contexts, but recurrence may be more formal due to its specialized usage in technical or medical fields.