recur

/rɪˈkɜː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈkɜːr/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈkər/ (ame, mw)

recur — verb

  • recurpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • recurshe / she / it
  • recurredpast simple
  • recurring-ing form

1. When something that has already taken place happens once more, especially repeat

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

When something that has already taken place happens once more, especially repeatedly over a period of time.

例句

The same error message recurred every time Wei tried to log into the system.

recur + every time / time adverbial for repeated events

Flooding recurs in this coastal town every few years during the rainy season.

同義詞
  • reoccur

    less formal and implies a single repeat rather than a pattern

  • repeat

    broader; can be used for actions a person deliberately does again

反義詞
  • cease

    to stop happening permanently

文法句型

recur (without an object)

常見錯誤

❌The meeting recurs weekly.
✅The meeting is held weekly.
💡Use 'recur' for events that happen again naturally, not for fixed scheduled events.

2. To turn one's thoughts or conversation again to an earlier subject, memory, or i

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

To turn one's thoughts or conversation again to an earlier subject, memory, or idea that was mentioned before.

例句

During the speech, the speaker recurred to the theme of community service several times.

recur + to + topic/theme

Sofía's mind kept recurring to the strange phone call she had received at midnight.

同義詞
  • revert

    implies returning to an earlier state or behavior, not just thought

  • return

    more general; does not carry the formal tone of 'recur'

文法句型

recur to [subject / memory / thought]

用法筆記

This sense is always followed by 'to' when the subject of the thought or speech is named. 'Recur' itself is intransitive; the thing returned to follows the preposition 'to'.

常見錯誤

❌He recurred the topic.
✅He recurred to the topic.
💡'Recur' is intransitive and must be followed by 'to' when naming the subject of thought.

3. To use a particular method, resource, or person for help when facing a difficult

3.動詞不及物C2
釋義

To use a particular method, resource, or person for help when facing a difficulty.

例句

When the river dried up, the farmers had to recur to well water for their crops.

recur to + resource for necessity

The team recurred to the original blueprints after the new design failed inspection.

同義詞
  • resort to

    more common; both share the meaning of turning to something as a last option

反義詞
  • avoid

    to keep away from using something

文法句型

recur to [method / resource / person]

用法筆記

A more formal and less common alternative to 'resort to'. Typically used when there are few remaining options.