What does "again" mean?

1. (one more time) one more time; a repeat of something that happened before. 2. (returning to a state) back to how things were before. 3. (asking for a reminder) you use this when you want someone to repeat information you forgot. 4. (adding a point) used to add another fact or reason to what you are saying. 5. (against) an old or regional way to say 'against' or 'next to'.

again

Q: Is it correct to say "I again saw him"?

No — say "I saw him again". In simple sentences, 'again' usually follows the object or the verb rather than sitting between the subject and the verb.

US //əˈɡeɪn// UK //ɐɡˈɛn// again

1 one more time (adv.)
A1 Beginner

one more time; a repeat of something that happened before.

indicating a repetition of an action or occurrence.

Example

Can you play that song again? I really liked it.

Example

The software failed to load the first time, so I had to restart the installation process again from the beginning.
2 returning to a state (adv.)
A2 Elementary

back to how things were before.

indicating a return to a previous place, condition, or state of being.

Example

It is nice to be home again after a long trip.

Example

After several weeks of physical therapy, he was finally able to walk again without the assistance of a cane.
- back
- restored

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3 asking for a reminder (adv.)
B1 Intermediate

you use this when you want someone to repeat information you forgot.

used metalinguistically to request the repetition of information within a conversation.

Example

What was your sister's name again?

Example

I am sorry, could you tell me the departure time again? I didn't catch it the first time.
- remind me
4 adding a point (adv.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

used to add another fact or reason to what you are saying.

used to introduce an additional point or a counter-argument in a discussion.

Example

The car is expensive, but then again, it is very reliable.

Example

The project is risky; then again, the potential rewards for the company are significant enough to justify the investment.
5 against (prep.)
C2 Proficiency Dialect Archaic

an old or regional way to say 'against' or 'next to'.

a regional variant of 'against', used to indicate physical opposition or proximity.

Example

He leaned the ladder again the wall of the shed.

Example

In the local dialect, it was common to hear the villagers speak of leaning their tools again the fence after a day's work.

Teacher's tip

This sense is highly regional and rare in modern standard English; learners should use 'against' instead.
- against
- beside

Origin

Etymology tree ▲ Proto-Indo-European *h₁en- Proto-Indo-European *h₁en- Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Germanic *in Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰengʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *ganganąder.? Proto-Germanic *gagin Proto-Germanic *in gagin Proto-West Germanic *in gagin Old English onġēan Middle English agayn English again From Middle English agayn, from Old English onġēan (“against, again”), from Proto-West Germanic in gagin, from Proto-Germanic in gagin. Cognate with German entgegen (“contrary to”), North Frisian ijen (“against”), Danish igen (“again”), Swedish igen (“again”), and Norwegian Bokmål igjen (“again”), and Icelandic í gegnum (“through”). By surface analysis, on- + gain (“against”).

Usage

Typically placed at the end of a clause or sentence.

Pitfall

I again saw himI saw him againIn simple sentences, 'again' usually follows the object or the verb rather than sitting between the subject and the verb.

Idioms9 entries