have another go

USAGE SUMMARY

"have another go" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to express the idea that someone should try again at something. For example, you could say, "I didn't get it right the first time, but I'm going to have another go at it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have another go.

Independent

Have another go, Keira.

The Guardian - Film

I'll have another go later".

The Guardian

We will have another go later on".

The Guardian

I would like to have another go at "Time's Arrow".

The New York Times

If he fails, someone else will have another go.

The Economist

They should probably have another go at that.

Independent

You'll just have to have another go at your budget.

The Guardian

No problem – just get another tube and have another go.

The Guardian

So it's important to get on and have another go".

The Guardian

Since the most recent poll was annulled however, the Democrats can have another go at boycotting.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have another go" when you want to encourage someone to retry something after an initial failure or when suggesting a repeated attempt is necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "have another go" in highly formal documents or presentations. Opt for phrases like "make another attempt" in such settings for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have another go" functions as an idiomatic expression used to suggest or encourage a repeated attempt at something. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is a perfectly acceptable part of written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have another go" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to encourage retrying a task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, with a neutral to informal register, it serves to motivate persistence. While versatile, more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "make another attempt". With a high source quality score and expert rating, its widespread use is well-supported.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try again

This is the most direct and simple alternative, suitable for almost any context.

give it another shot

This alternative is slightly more informal and emphasizes the attempt itself.

try one more time

Emphasizes the repeated nature of the action.

have a second try

Similar meaning, but emphasizes it's the second attempt.

make another attempt

This is a more formal alternative, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

take another crack at it

This alternative is more colloquial and suggests a determined effort.

have another attempt

This is a more formal version using "attempt" instead of "go".

reattempt

A concise, formal term for trying again.

take two

An informal term, often used in creative contexts like filmmaking.

go for round two

Informal expression suggesting a subsequent attempt, as in a competition.

FAQs

What does "have another go" mean?

The phrase "have another go" means to try something again, usually after an unsuccessful attempt. It's a way of encouraging someone to not give up and to try again.

When is it appropriate to use "have another go"?

It's appropriate in informal settings or when giving encouragement. In more formal contexts, alternatives like "make another attempt" might be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "have another go"?

Some alternatives include "try again", "give it another shot", or "make another attempt", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "have another go" grammatically correct?

Yes, "have another go" is grammatically correct and a common idiom in English, particularly in British English.