What does recur mean?
Word: Recur
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Recur means to happen again, often more than once.
Synonyms: reappear
How do you spell recur?
Syllables: re - cur
Tricky part: Occur has a double c, and pupils carry that across to write reccur. This word has one c.
Watch out for: reccur, recurre, reccure
Memory tip: Unlike occur, this word makes do with one c.
Recur in a sentence
Example 1: If the leak should recur, call the plumber at once.
Example 2: A small mistake can recur in every copy of a printed book.
Example 3: Certain patterns recur in the designs on old Indian textiles.
Fun Fact
In maths, a recurring decimal is one whose digits repeat for ever, as in 0.333 and so on, which is what you get from one divided by three.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
r_c_r
a) i, u
b) e, u
c) o, u
d) e, o
Show answer
b) e, u. The opening is re, as in redo, and the vowel after the c is u, as in cup.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
recurr
a) c
b) u
c) e
d) r
Show answer
d) r. The base word closes with a single r.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word recurs as used in the sentence:
The same tune recurs throughout the film, each time a little softer.
a) stops
b) returns
c) shifts
d) lingers
Show answer
b) returns. A tune that recurs keeps coming back, so returns is the match.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the meaning of the correctly spelt word:
1. persest 2. recur 3. repete 4. ocurr
a) to say or do something once more
b) to happen or take place
c) to carry on firmly in spite of difficulty
d) to come back and happen again
Show answer
d) to come back and happen again. Occur has a double c and one r, repeat has an ea and persist has an i before the st.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A recurring theme in a novel is one that ____.
a) appears only at the very end
b) is explained in the preface
c) was borrowed from another book
d) keeps coming up in the story
Show answer
d) keeps coming up in the story
2. Which of these recurs?
a) your own tenth birthday
b) the monsoon rains each year
c) the opening of a new bridge
d) the landing of Apollo 11
Show answer
b) the monsoon rains each year
