Concomitant vs. Concurrent — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 11, 2024
Concomitant implies a relationship where one thing is naturally accompanied by another, whereas concurrent denotes events happening at the same time without implying a direct connection.
Difference Between Concomitant and Concurrent
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Concomitant often refers to a situation or condition that exists or occurs with another, suggesting a more dependent or secondary relationship. For example, symptoms that are concomitant with a particular disease might not cause the disease but occur alongside it. On the other hand, concurrent events are those that occur at the same time but independently of each other. Two events happening concurrently may not have any relationship apart from their timing.
In medical or scientific contexts, concomitant variables are those that co-occur with the primary variable of interest, potentially influencing the outcome of an experiment. Whereas concurrent variables might also exist during the same time frame but are considered separate and not influencing or interacting with the primary variable of study.
Concomitant usage often carries an implication of association by circumstance rather than by design. It's used to describe conditions or occurrences that seem to follow or accompany each other naturally. Concurrent, however, is more neutral, merely stating the simultaneous occurrence without any implied connection or sequence.
In legal contexts, concomitant rights or obligations are those that exist alongside primary rights or obligations and may arise out of the same set of facts or circumstances. In contrast, concurrent sentences in law refer to multiple sentences that are served at the same time, reflecting a different aspect of simultaneity.
Concomitant can also suggest a kind of inevitability or natural consequence, as when one event or condition is invariably accompanied by another. Concurrent, by contrast, does not imply any such natural or inevitable connection, merely indicating that things happen at the same time.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Naturally accompanying or associated with
Occurring or existing at the same time
Relationship
Suggests a dependent or secondary association
Indicates simultaneity without direct link
Usage Context
Often used in medical, scientific, and legal fields
Common in legal, temporal, and general contexts
Implication
May imply a natural or inevitable connection
Neutral towards connection or dependence
Example in Sentence
Symptoms concomitant with the disease...
Events occurring concurrently...
Compare with Definitions
Concomitant
Occurring or existing alongside something else.
Concomitant symptoms suggest a possible diagnosis.
Concurrent
Existing or occurring together in time.
The concurrent use of multiple medications requires careful management.
Concomitant
Naturally associated within a context.
Trust is concomitant with open communication.
Concurrent
Overlapping in duration.
She holds concurrent positions in two different companies.
Concomitant
Invariably accompanying another phenomenon.
Risk is concomitant with investment.
Concurrent
Happening at the same time.
Concurrent exhibitions will take place in both galleries.
Concomitant
Accompanying as a secondary or associated condition.
The fever was concomitant with the infection.
Concurrent
Simultaneous but independent.
The two scientists made concurrent discoveries.
Concomitant
Arising from the same set of circumstances.
The social changes were concomitant with economic reforms.
Concurrent
Coexisting without direct connection.
Concurrent trends in fashion and music often reflect the era's spirit.
Concomitant
Occurring or existing concurrently; attendant
Poverty and its concomitant social problems.
Concurrent
Happening, existing, or done at the same time as something else
Dealing with concurrent crises.
Concomitant
One that occurs or exists concurrently with another.
Concurrent
Meeting or tending to meet at the same point; convergent
Concurrent lines.
Concomitant
Accompanying; conjoining; attending; concurrent.
Concurrent
Being in accordance; harmonious
Are these decisions concurrent with university policy?.
Concomitant
(grammar) Of or relating to the grammatical aspect which expresses that a secondary action is occurring simultaneously to the primary action of the statement.
Concurrent
Happening at the same time; simultaneous.
Concomitant
Something happening or existing at the same time.
Concurrent
Belonging to the same period; contemporary.
Concomitant
(algebra) An invariant homogeneous polynomial in the coefficients of a form, a covariant variable, and a contravariant variable.
Concurrent
Acting in conjunction; agreeing in the same act or opinion; contributing to the same event or effect.
Concomitant
Accompanying; conjoined; attending.
It has pleased our wise Creator to annex to several objects, as also to several of our thoughts, a concomitant pleasure.
Concurrent
Joint and equal in authority; taking cognizance of similar questions; operating on the same objects.
The concurrent jurisdiction of courts
Concomitant
One who, or that which, accompanies, or is collaterally connected with another; a companion; an associate; an accompaniment.
Reproach is a concomitant to greatness.
The other concomitant of ingratitude is hardheartedness.
Concurrent
(geometry) Meeting in one point.
Concomitant
An event or situation that happens at the same time as or in connection with another
Concurrent
Running alongside one another on parallel courses; moving together in space.
Concomitant
Following as a consequence;
An excessive growth of bureaucracy, with related problems
Snags incidental to the changeover in management
Concurrent
Designed to run independently, rather than sequentially, using various mechanisms, such as threads, event loops or time-slicing.
Concurrent
One who, or that which, concurs; a joint or contributory cause.
Concurrent
One pursuing the same course, or seeking the same objects; hence, a rival; an opponent.
Concurrent
One of the supernumerary days of the year over fifty-two complete weeks; so called because they concur with the solar cycle, the course of which they follow.
Concurrent
One who accompanies a sheriff's officer as witness.
Concurrent
Acting in conjunction; agreeing in the same act or opinion; contributing to the same event or effect; coöperating.
I join with these laws the personal presence of the kings' son, as a concurrent cause of this reformation.
The concurrent testimony of antiquity.
Concurrent
Conjoined; associate; concomitant; existing or happening at the same time.
There is no difference the concurrent echo and the iterant but the quickness or slowness of the return.
Changes . . . concurrent with the visual changes in the eye.
Concurrent
Joint and equal in authority; taking cognizance of similar questions; operating on the same objects; as, the concurrent jurisdiction of courts.
Concurrent
Meeting in one point.
Concurrent
One who, or that which, concurs; a joint or contributory cause.
To all affairs of importance there are three necessary concurrents . . . time, industry, and faculties.
Concurrent
One pursuing the same course, or seeking the same objects; hence, a rival; an opponent.
Menander . . . had no concurrent in his time that came near unto him.
Concurrent
One of the supernumerary days of the year over fifty-two complete weeks; - so called because they concur with the solar cycle, the course of which they follow.
Concurrent
Occurring or operating at the same time;
A series of coincident events
Common Curiosities
How do concurrent events relate to each other?
Concurrent events do not necessarily relate to each other apart from happening at the same time.
Do concurrent sentences in law imply any relationship between crimes?
No, concurrent sentences are served at the same time but do not imply a connection between the crimes.
Is concomitant used more in specific fields?
Yes, it is often used in medical, scientific, and legal contexts to describe associated conditions or circumstances.
What does concomitant mean?
Concomitant refers to something that accompanies another thing, often in a secondary or associated manner.
Are concurrent tasks more challenging to manage?
Managing concurrent tasks can be challenging due to the need to juggle multiple activities at once.
Can concomitant factors influence an experiment's outcome?
Yes, concomitant variables can potentially influence the outcome and are often controlled for in studies.
Can concomitant symptoms lead to a diagnosis?
Yes, concomitant symptoms can provide clues that help in diagnosing a condition.
Does concomitant imply causation?
No, concomitant implies association but not necessarily causation.
How do courts determine concurrent sentences?
Courts assess the crimes and decide on concurrent sentences based on legal guidelines and the specifics of the case.
Can something be both concomitant and concurrent?
Yes, something can be both if it occurs at the same time as another thing and is associated with it in some way.
Are concurrent events common in daily life?
Yes, concurrent events are common, such as multitasking or simultaneous occurrences in different locations.
Is planning for concurrent projects challenging?
Planning for concurrent projects requires careful coordination and resource allocation.
How does one identify concomitant conditions?
Concomitant conditions are identified by their occurrence with a primary condition, often requiring careful observation or analysis.
How does one document concomitant variables in research?
Concomitant variables are documented through detailed record-keeping and analysis in the research process.
Can concomitant usage enrich storytelling?
Yes, describing concomitant events or conditions can add depth and realism to storytelling.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
