again at base

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "again at base" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts related to returning to a starting point or foundational concept, but clarity is essential. Example: "After several attempts, we found ourselves again at base, ready to reassess our strategy."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As part of the same study citric acid cough threshold was measured in 42 subjects at sea level and on arrival at Base Camp at 5300 m and again at Base Camp in 23 of these same subjects after they had spent at least 9 days at or above 5000 m.

Cough

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

His words proved almost prophetic and Joe Torre, the Yankee manager, may be tempted to use Vizcaino again at second base tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

INSIDE PITCH Milwaukee Manager RON ROENICKE started JERRY HAIRSTON JR. again at third base, a bold move since CASEY McGEHEE was 5 for 5 against Arizona starter DANIEL HUDSON.

The New York Times - Sports

As The Times reported, the company was acquired on Wednesday by National Electric Vehicle Sweden, representing Chinese, Japanese and Swedish stakeholders, and could produce cars again at its base in Trollhattan, Sweden, as early as late next year, according to the new owners.

The New York Times

The building rises from one base, curves over in a U shape, and touches the ground again at its second base.

Huffington Post

This does mean looking again at their cost base, including local workforce arrangements, going forward.

The Guardian

The boys of summers past are at it again at Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Round Swamp Road, playing "Base Ball" according to 19th-century rules.

The New York Times

Many of them have waited more than a year without result, and some have actually given up in despair and gone back to Iraq, including a pregnant woman who was unable to undergo the tuberculosis X-ray required of refugee applicants, and who returned with her husband from Jordan to Baghdad, where he's working again at the same military base as before.

The New Yorker

By 1970, the Royal Ballet itself could no longer afford it, so replaced it with the small Royal Ballet New Group, directed by Peer Wright and again based at Sadler's Wells.

The Guardian

On April 10th, after an unsuccessful attempt at climbing Mt. Everest last year, I was back at base camp to try again.

Huffington Post

It has fallen again since last week's decision by the Monetary Policy Committee MPCC) to maintain base rates again at 6.0%.In the past, sterling weakness has often led to higher interest rates.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or scientific writing, specify what "base" refers to (e.g., base camp, data base) to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "again at base" in contexts where it's not clear what the "base" is. Overgeneralizing the phrase can lead to confusion and weaken the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "again at base" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating a return to a specific starting point or foundational element. This usage is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies its acceptable, though uncommon, nature.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "again at base" is a grammatically acceptable but uncommon prepositional phrase indicating a return to a starting point or foundation. As Ludwig AI highlights, while valid, its lack of widespread use suggests careful consideration of context and potential alternatives for improved clarity. The phrase appears sporadically across various fields, including science, news, and general reference, but lacks a strong association with any specific register. Therefore, when employing "again at base", ensure the intended meaning is unmistakable and consider whether alternatives like "back to square one" or "return to the basics" might offer greater precision and recognition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

back to square one

Indicates returning to the beginning after a setback or failure.

return to the basics

Emphasizes a focus on fundamental principles or skills.

revert to initial state

Highlights a return to a previous condition or arrangement.

start over from scratch

Implies a complete restart, often after a significant problem.

begin again from the foundation

Signifies restarting from the basic or fundamental aspects.

re-establish the base

Focuses on rebuilding or strengthening the core element.

resume at the starting point

Highlights a continuation from the beginning.

recommence from the ground up

Suggests rebuilding something from its most basic elements.

circle back to the origin

Indicates a return to the initial source or place.

revisit the fundamental level

Highlights a re-examination of the basic elements or principles.

FAQs

What does "again at base" mean?

The phrase "again at base" generally implies returning to a starting point or a foundational element after an interruption or deviation. It suggests a cyclical pattern of moving away from and then back to the origin.

How can I use "again at base" in a sentence?

You can use "again at base" to indicate a return to a primary location, idea, or state. For instance, "After several failed attempts, we found ourselves again at base, ready to reassess our strategy."

What can I say instead of "again at base"?

You can use alternatives like "back to square one", "return to the basics", or "revert to initial state" depending on the context.

Is "again at base" grammatically correct?

While not a standard idiomatic expression, "again at base" is grammatically sound. However, clarity and context are important to ensure effective communication. Consider more common alternatives if ambiguity is a concern.