What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
recurrent
Example
He has recurrent nightmares that keep him up at night. [recurrent: adjective]
Example
The patient's recurrent headaches are a cause for concern. [recurrent: adjective]
intermittent
Example
The rain was intermittent throughout the day, with periods of sunshine in between. [intermittent: adjective]
Example
She suffers from intermittent bouts of depression. [intermittent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Intermittent is more commonly used than recurrent in everyday language. Intermittent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while recurrent is more specific and often used in medical or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between recurrent and intermittent?
Both recurrent and intermittent are formal words, but recurrent is more technical and specific, while intermittent is more general and can be used in various formality levels.
