again */*/*/

UK [əˈɡen] / US adverb

Summary:

Again is used in the following ways: - as an adverb: I love that tune. Play it again. - as a way of showing how a sentence is related to what has already been said: Tomatoes are easy to grow. But, again, they need to be protected from frost.

1)

a) used for saying that something happens or someone does something one more time when it has already happened or been done before

You'll have to tell me again – I wasn't listening.

If you fail the exam you will have to take it again.

all over again (= a second time from the beginning):

Oh no, now I'll have to start all over again.

b) spoken used for asking someone to repeat something that they told you before, especially because you have forgotten what they said

That friend of yours – what's her name again?

••

See:

once, yet

2) used for saying that someone or something is in the same state or condition they were in before something happened

I turned over and went back to sleep again.

The streets of the city are quiet again.

3) used for adding a statement that supports what you have already said, or is similar to something you said earlier

The law on copyright is still unclear. And again, it's a complex issue.

•

half/twice etc as much again — used for comparing two amounts and saying how much more one amount is than the other

A house in London costs half as much again as a house in Edinburgh.

then/there again — mainly spoken used for introducing a statement that makes what you have just said seem less true, or that is the opposite of what you have just said

I suppose Elaine might help; then again she might not.

The hotel was awful. But then again, you can't expect much for £20 a night.

- again and again