recur

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

recur — 動詞

  • 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

再現；復發

再次發生，尤其反覆出現

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.

Wei 每次嘗試登入系統時，相同的錯誤訊息就會再現。

recur + every time / time adverbial for repeated events

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

這個沿海小鎮每逢雨季就會每隔幾年發生一次洪水。

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

重提；回想

在思緒或言談中回到某事物

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.

在那場演講中，講者數次重提社區服務的主題。

recur + to + topic/theme

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

Sofía 的腦海裡不斷回想起午夜接到的那通奇怪電話。

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

求助；訴諸

在困境中使用某種方法或資源

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.

河水乾涸後，農民不得不求助於井水來灌溉作物。

recur to + resource for necessity

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

新設計未能通過檢驗後，團隊便訴諸於原始藍圖。

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.