What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sympatric
Example
The two species of birds are sympatric, but they do not interbreed. [sympatric: adjective]
Example
Sympatric speciation can occur when two populations of the same species become reproductively isolated. [sympatric: adjective]
Example
The sympatric population showed genetic divergence despite living in the same area. [sympatric: adjective]
concurrent
Example
The two concerts were concurrent, so we had to choose which one to attend. [concurrent: adjective]
Example
The company is working on several concurrent projects at the same time. [concurrent: adjective]
Example
The concurrent use of two medications can have adverse effects. [concurrent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Concurrent is a more commonly used word than sympatric in everyday language, as it has a broader range of applications and is not limited to scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sympatric and concurrent?
Sympatric is a technical term used primarily in scientific writing and is therefore more formal than concurrent, which is a more common word used in both formal and informal contexts.
