Occurrence is among the most frequently misspelled words in English, and the reason is almost identical to why embarrass trips writers up: it contains two double consonants in close succession. Writers typically remember one double letter but forget the other.
This guide explains exactly where both doubles are, why the mistake happens, and gives you the tools to spell it correctly every time.
The correct spelling is occurrence.
o-c-c-u-r-r-e-n-c-e
The common misspelling occurence is incorrect. So is occurrance. The only correct spelling is occurrence.
Occurrence contains double C and double R — both are essential to the correct spelling. The most common error is occurence (double C, single R). A less common error is occurrance (single C, double R). Both are wrong. The word comes from the verb occur, which already has a double R when extended — occurred, occurring — and the noun occurrence follows the same pattern, adding -ence to the doubled R form. The double C at the start comes from the Latin occurr-, which also begins with a double C.
The easiest way to remember occurrence is to think of the verb it comes from — occur — and remember that when you add suffixes, the R doubles: oc-curr-ing, oc-curr-ed, oc-curr-ence. The double C at the start is there because the word comes from the Latin prefix ob- plus currere (to run) — oc-curr. Remember: double C, double R: o-cc-u-rr-ence.
Occurrence is a noun meaning an event or incident — something that happens. It can also refer to the fact of something existing or happening, or how frequently something happens.
The correct spelling is occurrence. The spelling occurence is one of the most common misspellings in English. Remember: o-c-c-u-r-r-e-n-c-e.
The easiest way to remember occurrence is to think of the verb it comes from — occur — and remember that when you add suffixes, the R doubles: oc-curr-ing, oc-curr-ed, oc-curr-ence. The double C at the start is there because the word comes from the Latin prefix ob- plus currere (to run) — oc-curr. Remember: double C, double R: o-cc-u-rr-ence.
Yes — occurrence is spelled the same in both British and American English. There is no variation between the two varieties for this word.
Occurrence is a noun meaning an event or incident — something that happens. It can also refer to the fact of something existing or happening, or how frequently something happens.
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