periodic and periodical

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

Please read the sentence:

The economic boom and recession is a periodical occurrence.

Could please explain if I can use "periodic" in this sentence?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[Neillythere]

I'm not a teacher and although I believe they may well be interchangeable, I would have used "periodic" in this instance, as I tend to use the term "periodical" only in the context of a magazine (a "periodical").

[Offroad]

I am not a teacher, but I'd say ...

periodical refers to directories, journals, magazines, something that is released periodically.

periodic refers to, for example, calculation, it might be a sign, waves, outputs, voltage and so on.

Hope this helps

[vil]

Attention: I'm not a teacher.

Hi jiang,

periodic (adj.)

1. Having or marked by repeated cycles.
2. Happening or appearing at regular intervals.
3. Recurring or reappearing from time to time; intermittent.
4. Characterized by periodic sentences.

In technical use, periodic means “at regular or predictable intervals,” as in the Periodic Table of the Elements. Often, however, periodic is used to mean “occasional, intermittent.

periodical (adj.)

1. Periodic.
2. 1. Published at regular intervals of more than one day.
   2. Of or relating to a publication issued at such intervals.

n.
A publication issued at regular intervals of more than one day.

periodical: Definition, Synonyms and Much More from Answers.com

Regards.

V.

[Neillythere]

I checked the dictioary before responding, and the 1st definition of the adjective "periodical" was "periodic"

see periodical - definition of periodical by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.+

PS It appears Vil got the reply out 1st from a very similar source.

[jiang]

Dear Neillythere,

Thank you very much for your explanation. But in my dictionary 'periodical' can also be used as an adjective.

So what shall I do?
Jiang

I'm not a teacher and although I believe they may well be interchangeable, I would have used "periodic" in this instance, as I tend to use the term "periodical" only in the context of a magazine (a "periodical").

[jiang]

Dear marciobarbalho,

Thank you very much for providing the definitions. But periodical can also be used as an adjective.

So what shall I do?

Jiang

I am not a teacher, but I'd say ...

periodical refers to directories, journals, magazines, something that is released periodically.

periodic refers to, for example, calculation, it might be a sign, waves, outputs, voltage and so on.

Hope this helps

[jiang]

Dear vil,

According to your definitions they are interchangeable in this sentence. Is that right?

Looking forward to hearing ffrom you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

Attention: I'm not a teacher.

Hi jiang,

periodic (adj.)

1. Having or marked by repeated cycles.
2. Happening or appearing at regular intervals.
3. Recurring or reappearing from time to time; intermittent.
4. Characterized by periodic sentences.

In technical use, periodic means “at regular or predictable intervals,” as in the Periodic Table of the Elements. Often, however, periodic is used to mean “occasional, intermittent.

periodical (adj.)

1. Periodic.
2. 1. Published at regular intervals of more than one day.
   2. Of or relating to a publication issued at such intervals.

n.
A publication issued at regular intervals of more than one day.

periodical: Definition, Synonyms and Much More from Answers.com

Regards.

V.

[jiang]

Dear Neillythere,

Thank you very much for providing me with the website. I think the two are interchageable in my sentence.

Jiang

I checked the dictioary before responding, and the 1st definition of the adjective "periodical" was "periodic"

see periodical - definition of periodical by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.+

PS It appears Vil got the reply out 1st from a very similar source.