again

a|gain [ ə`gen ] adverb ***

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. ) 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.

once again (=used when something has happened more than once before): Once again the troops moved forward, and once again they were driven back.

yet again (=used when something has happened too many times before): Robert's heart operation had to be postponed yet again.

all over again (=a second time from the beginning): Oh no, now I'll have to start all over again.

a ) 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?

b ) again and again or time and again used for saying that something happens many times:

I read through her letter again and again.

I've told you time and again, you have to wear a helmet.

=> 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.

(but) 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 there again, you can't expect much for $30 a night.

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 the city costs half as much again as a house in the suburbs.