What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
relapsing
Example
The patient experienced a relapse after being in remission for six months. [relapse: noun]
Example
She was worried about relapsing into her old habits. [relapsing: present participle]
recurring
Example
He has a recurring dream about flying. [recurring: adjective]
Example
The company is facing a recurring problem with its supply chain. [recurring: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recurring is more commonly used than relapsing in everyday language. Recurring is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while relapsing is more specific and often used in medical or addiction-related contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between relapsing and recurring?
Both relapsing and recurring are formal words that are often used in medical or technical contexts, but recurring can also be used in informal contexts.
