Among words with “Re-prefixed,” all of which refer to “RE-sense,” are the noun, “Reccurrence,” “Reoccurrence.” Examples are plenty, but for the sake of recalling some of them, I list here the familiar ones we all are conversant with, or that are commonly/frequently used as verbs and nouns. The verb, “Restate and noun, “Restatement,” the verb, “Reregulate,” and noun, “Reregulation,” the adjective, “Reusable,” and verb, “Reuse,” the verb, “Resettle,” and noun, “Resettlement,” the verb, “Renegotiate,” and noun, “Renegotiation,” the verb, “Reelect,” and noun, “Re-election,” the verb, “Reassign,” and noun, “Re-assignment,” the verb, “Re-awake,” and noun, “Reawakening,” are some of the Re-prefixed vocabularies that apply in our usage of the language.
However, the Re-prefixed “Recurrence,” and “Reoccurrence,” have generated debates among the masters and purists of the language as to which of the two is acceptable and endorsed, while the other should be jettisoned and taken as old and hackneyed phrase not meant for the 21st Century English. The dust raised appears not to have been settled among the enthusiasts, as my findings suggest. The sentiments about it shouldn’t osbcure the relevance of the two; the nouns “reccurrence” and reoccurrence,” taking into consideration the submissions of some of the reference books on our radar. Some of the highly rated dictionaries, for example, remained silent or didn’t act, by telling us the difference between “recurrence” and “reoccurrence.”
So, we relied on the few, basically the online version of the dictionaries to get to the bottom line of the argument with the hope that the reading and listening publics could make up their minds whom to believe. Derived from the verbs, “reccur” and “reoccur,” the nouns, “reccurrence and reoccurrence,” the reference books, the ebooks, in particular, insist both are correct. However, there is a difference in what they mean. According to the online interpretation of the dictionary, “both mean to occur or happen again.” “reccurrence is used when there is a periodic occurrence of something,” while “reoccurrence means it will happen again, though there is no nuance of periodicity, it could happen only once,” it concludes.
This is at variance with the notion held by some followers of the language, that the noun, “reccurrence,” should be preferred to indicate something is happening again. This school of thought believes that the noun, “reoccurrence should be disregarded and seen as old school. Can we now assume that the online rendering of the words clearly shows how and when to use them to send the right message? But then, let’s expand on the already know fact that “reccurrence” reminds us about a periodic occurrence of something, as against, ” reoccurrence,” meaning it would happen again, though not too apparent or of certainty that something would take place.
You can draw your conclusion here. In other words, follow your mind, but be sure the reading and listening audiences get the gist, or information you are transmitting to them. As I often empasise, clearly and concisely state the argument to avoid misconception and ambiguity. Use words or phrases people are familiar or are acquainted with. Again, think more of using current and not outdated or worn out expressions to excite the publics.
That way, you will attract the reader or the listener. Preferably, the noun, “reccurrence,” which is now in vogue and entertained by most writers, should be chosen over the seemingly old fashioned statement, “reoccurrence.” Even though, both nouns, “reccurrence” and “reoccurrence” imply that something will happen again, but with a difference in the application and usage, and for the message to be understood; lash on to that which is acceptable and current, “reccurrence.”
But still, for those who are faithful to the language, they can swing in-between the two vocabularies, “reccurrence” and “reoccurrence” depending on how they comprehend the difference between the two in usage and practice. For this writer, he is at home and comfortable with the statement, “reccurrence,” generally acknowledged to be popular and Standard English.
