for a second time

USAGE SUMMARY

"for a second time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that an event is occurring again, or to show that something has already happened once before. For example: "She read the book for a second time to better remember the plot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wipe for a second time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'm reading it for a second time.

The Guardian - Music

They waited for a second time.

The Guardian

For a second time, he started home.

The New Yorker

"It's been nominated for a second time at BAFTA.

Independent

America's GDP growth was revised down for a second time.

The Economist

But few make a splash for a second time.

The New York Times

It seems to be bursting for a second time.

The Economist

Some visitors were seeing the show for a second time.

The New York Times

Liverpool may discover that for a second time this season.

The Economist

And for a second time, the goal was chalked off.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a second time" to clearly indicate an event is happening again after already occurring once. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "for a second time" when you mean something is happening continuously or simultaneously. "For a second time" implies a distinct break between the first and second occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a second time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when or how often an action occurs. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for a second time" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate that an event is happening again after a prior occurrence. Ludwig confirms its validity through numerous real-world examples. It functions as an adverbial phrase and is generally neutral in register, suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in scientific and general writing. Alternatives like "again" or "once more" can be used depending on the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a second time

Omits "for", slightly less formal but conveys the same meaning.

once more

A more concise way to indicate that something is happening again.

again

The simplest and most direct way to express that something is repeated.

on the second occasion

Similar to 'on another occasion' but specifically refers to it being the second time.

on another occasion

More formal and emphasizes that the event occurred previously.

yet again

Emphasizes frustration or surprise at the repetition.

for the second instance

A more elaborate and formal way to express recurrence.

in the second instance

Similar to 'for the second instance' but puts more emphasis on the instance itself.

recurringly

More formal and highlights the pattern of repetition.

repeatedly

Highlights the action is happening more than twice.

FAQs

How can I use "for a second time" in a sentence?

You can use "for a second time" to indicate that an event or action is being repeated after it has already occurred once. For example, "She visited Paris "for a second time" this year."

What phrases are similar to "for a second time"?

Similar phrases include "again", "once more", or "a second time". The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "for a second time"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It clearly and effectively communicates that an event is happening again after having already happened once.

What is the difference between "for a second time" and "repeatedly"?

"For a second time" indicates that something is happening only twice, whereas "repeatedly" suggests it is happening multiple times, more than just twice.