comes back for seconds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comes back for seconds" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in an informal context to denote a person who desires or has had additional servings of a meal. For example, "It looks like Sam really enjoyed the dinner - he came back for seconds!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When someone comes back for seconds, I feel a huge sense of achievement.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sky tries some venison pâté impaled on a toothpick and comes back for seconds and thirds.

The New York Times - Magazine

The highlights from the day are the feeling of achievement when someone comes back for seconds, watching the diners thaw out and relax, and the rare thrill (when a man turns up and asks how much it all costs) of being able to say, "help yourself – it's free".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Some came back for seconds.

The New York Times

The food writer Jonathan Gold came back for seconds.

The New Yorker

They eat and they come back for seconds.

The New York Times - Travel

"After skating it once, you will be coming back for seconds".

The New York Times

The chemicals are highly irritating, and discourage most creatures from coming back for seconds.

The New York Times - Food

Inevitably, you'd get the customers who came back for seconds, thirds, fourths and then fifths.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nor does he apparently tire of coming back for seconds and thirds.

The Guardian - Arts

There are plenty of potatoes here, but I find people seem to come back for seconds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comes back for seconds" to indicate enthusiastic enjoyment, usually in the context of food or experiences. It suggests that the person was pleased enough to repeat the action.

Common error

Avoid using "comes back for seconds" in formal writing or when describing serious situations. The phrase is generally informal and can trivialize the context if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes back for seconds" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used informally to describe someone's enjoyment of something, usually food, to the extent that they desire more. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comes back for seconds" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, primarily in informal contexts such as news and lifestyle media. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase typically describes someone's enjoyment of something, particularly food, leading them to desire more. While appropriate for casual conversation, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings. Related phrases include "returns for another serving" and "asks for a second helping".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Returns for another serving

Replaces "comes back" with "returns" and "seconds" with "another serving", focusing on the act of getting more food.

Asks for a second helping

Focuses on the act of requesting more food, changing the emphasis from returning to asking.

Goes back for more

Simplifies the phrase, using "goes back" instead of "comes back" and "more" instead of "seconds", making it more general.

Seeks a refill

Implies that a container is being replenished, slightly shifting the context from a plate to a glass or other container.

Requests a second portion

Formalizes the language, using "requests" and "portion" instead of the more casual terms.

Wants another plate

Specifies the desire for another dish, changing the focus to the physical plate.

Repeats the experience

Broadens the context beyond just food, indicating a desire to redo or relive something.

Tries it again

Even more generic, simply meaning to attempt something once more.

Returns for a repeat

Uses 'repeat' to describe the second instance of the activity.

Gets a second chance

Changes the context entirely to opportunities or attempts, losing the original food-related meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "comes back for seconds" in a sentence?

You can use "comes back for seconds" to describe someone enjoying something so much that they want more, such as, "The pie was so delicious that everyone "came back for seconds"".

What does "comes back for seconds" imply?

"Comes back for seconds" suggests that something was highly enjoyable or satisfying, prompting someone to want to experience it again or have another serving.

What's a more formal way to say "comes back for seconds"?

A more formal alternative to "comes back for seconds" would be "requested a second serving" or "returned for an additional portion".

Is it appropriate to use "comes back for seconds" in professional communication?

While understandable, "comes back for seconds" is generally too informal for professional communication. Opt for more neutral phrases like "requested more information" or "revisited the topic".