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A Question which has always puzzled me

(5 Posts)
ExDancer Fri 07-Mar-25 13:33:44

Which is correct - a never ending circle or a never ending cycle?

VelvetVinyl Fri 07-Mar-25 13:54:15

This is what I found:

“Never ending cycle" is generally considered more correct than "never ending circle," as "cycle" specifically implies a repeating sequence of events, while "circle" can simply refer to a shape without the notion of repetition inherent within it.

AuntieE Fri 07-Mar-25 13:57:52

I think this depends on whether you are a philosopher or not, as a philosopher is likely to maintain that a circle has neither beginning nor end, so talking about a never ending circle makes no sense.

I have not the faintest idea what a mathematician would feel about the never-ending circle.

Without a context it is difficult to be sure, but to me, a never-ending cycle would make more sense. A cycle of events is a series that repeats itself at state d intervals, but is not necessarily unending.

Indigo8 Fri 07-Mar-25 14:03:00

I agree it depends on the context.

eg. We seem to going round in a never ending circle.
or, We're part of a never ending cycle of boom and bust.

Just two random examples.

Baggs Fri 07-Mar-25 14:41:33

Circles don't have ends so they are, by definition, never ending. I've always heard the phrase as never ending circle, meaning something is just going round and round and getting nowhere.

I suppose cycle works just as well so in my view it doesn't matter which one uses.