Over and over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Over and over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that is repeated multiple times. Example: "She practiced the piano piece over and over until she could play it flawlessly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Antoine wonders, over and over.

The New York Times - Books

I saw it over and over again.

The New York Times

I did it over and over again.

The New Yorker

"We hear it over and over".

The New York Times - Travel

He did that over and over again.

The New Yorker

Repeat it over and over again.

The New Yorker

They practice them over and over again.

The New York Times

I got lucky, over and over".

The New York Times

"It was debated over and over again.

The New York Times

They kill you over and over.

The New Yorker

This figure gets repeated over and over.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over and over" to emphasize the repetitive nature of an action, especially when the repetition is significant or impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "over and over" in contexts where the repetition is already implied. For example, instead of saying "He repeated the instructions over and over", simply say "He repeated the instructions" if the context makes it clear it happened many times.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over and over" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate that an action is performed repeatedly. As Ludwig AI shows, it emphasizes the recurring nature of the action or event, contributing to the overall meaning of the sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

37%

Science

6%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over and over" is a common adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action or event is repeated multiple times. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in wiki-based content. While technically redundant to say "over and over again", it's often done for emphasis, as the phrase is neutral in tone, though synonyms like "incessantly" add negative connotation. When writing, it's best to avoid redundant usage and reserve it for when you truly want to emphasize repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Over and over again

This alternative adds emphasis to the original phrase, making it more emphatic.

Again and again

This alternative is a common and direct synonym, emphasizing the repeated nature of an action.

Repeatedly

This alternative is a single-word adverb that clearly conveys the idea of something happening multiple times.

Time and again

This alternative emphasizes the frequency of the repetition, suggesting it has occurred on multiple occasions.

Time after time

This alternative highlights the continuous nature of the repetition, implying a pattern.

Again and again and again

This alternative intensifies the repetition, stressing the numerous occurrences.

Numerous times

This alternative highlights the quantity of repetitions.

On multiple occasions

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes that the action occurred more than once.

Recurrently

This alternative suggests that the action happens periodically or at intervals.

Incessantly

This alternative implies that the repetition is continuous and often annoying or unwelcome.

FAQs

How can I use "Over and over" in a sentence?

You can use "over and over" to indicate repeated actions or events. For example, "She practiced the song "over and over" until she mastered it" or "The same mistakes were made "over and over".

What are some alternatives to "Over and over"?

Alternatives include "again and again", "repeatedly", "time and again", or "numerous times" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "Over and over again"?

While "over and over again" is technically redundant since "again" is already implied in "over and over", it is a common and acceptable idiom used for emphasis. However, in formal writing, you might prefer a more concise alternative.

What is the difference between "Over and over" and "incessantly"?

"Over and over" simply means repeatedly, while "incessantly" implies a continuous and often unwelcome repetition. "Over and over" is neutral, while "incessantly" carries a negative connotation.