but once again

USAGE SUMMARY

"but once again" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a contrasting or opposing idea to what has been previously mentioned. Example: I had promised myself I wouldn't eat any more cookies, but once again, I found myself reaching for the cookie jar.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, once again, it was a feint.

The New Yorker

But once again, he feels good afterward".

The New York Times - Sports

But once again, everything is political.

The New York Times

But, once again, let's be fair.

The New York Times

But once again, "this is business.

The Economist

But, once again, the Panthers lost.

The New York Times

But once again he crossed everybody up!

The New York Times

But once again, Rodriguez ended up hitless.

The New York Times - Sports

But once again, I hit grounders.

The New York Times - Sports

But once again, the answer made sense.

Harvard Business Review

But once again, the problem isn't simple.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but once again" to introduce a contrasting point after an initial attempt or expectation has been stated. It effectively signals a recurring pattern or unexpected outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "but once again" repeatedly within a short passage. This can make your writing sound repetitive and detract from the impact of the contrast you're trying to create. Instead, vary your transitional phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but once again" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two contrasting ideas or events, highlighting a recurring pattern or unexpected outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it introduces a contrasting or opposing idea to what has been previously mentioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but once again" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a contrasting idea, emphasizing a recurring event or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it's useful for signaling an unexpected outcome. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and is generally neutral in register. When writing, remember to avoid overuse and consider more formal alternatives like "however, yet again" for sophisticated style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet, another time

Replaces "but once" with yet, and "again" with "another time", resulting in a less formal tone.

however, yet again

Replaces "but" with "however" and "once again" with "yet again", offering a slightly more formal tone.

though, yet another

Replaces "but once" with "though, yet" and "again" with "another", resulting in a less complex structure.

nonetheless, once more

Substitutes "but" with "nonetheless" and "again" with "more", resulting in a more emphatic contrast.

still, one more time

Replaces "but" with "still" and "once again" with "one more time", creating a more casual effect.

nevertheless, recurringly

Replaces "but" with "nevertheless" and "once again" with "recurringly", resulting in a more formal and emphatic statement.

even though, recurring

Replaces "but" with "even though" and "once again" with "recurring", resulting in a more formal expression.

in spite of that, repeatedly

Replaces "but" with "in spite of that" and "once again" with "repeatedly", resulting in a more elaborate expression.

despite that, afresh

Replaces "but" with "despite that" and "once again" with "afresh", resulting in a more elaborate expression.

even so, anew

Replaces "but" with "even so" and "once again" with "anew", resulting in a concise and somewhat literary alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "but once again" in a sentence?

Use "but once again" to introduce a contrasting or unexpected outcome following a previous attempt or situation. For instance, "I tried to avoid eating sweets, but once again, I couldn't resist the chocolate cake."

What's a more formal alternative to "but once again"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "however, yet again" or "nevertheless, once more".

Is "but once again" always necessary, or can it be implied?

While "but once again" adds emphasis and clarity, it can sometimes be implied depending on the context. If the contrast is already clear, using just "but" may suffice. If you want to highlight repetition or recurrence, then use "but once again".

What is the difference between "but once again" and "but then again"?

"But once again" emphasizes a recurring action or situation, while "but then again" suggests a reconsideration or alternative perspective. They are not interchangeable.