What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
repeating
Example
The teacher noticed the student was repeating the same mistake over and over. [repeating: present participle]
Example
I kept repeating the phone number in my head so I wouldn't forget it. [repeating: gerund]
cyclical
Example
The economy goes through cyclical changes of growth and recession. [cyclical: adjective]
Example
The seasons are cyclical, with spring, summer, fall, and winter repeating every year. [cyclical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repeating is more commonly used than cyclical in everyday language. Repeating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cyclical is less common and refers to more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between repeating and cyclical?
Both repeating and cyclical are neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
