he strikes again

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'he strikes again' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever a situation repeats itself, and someone is responsible for it. For example: Just when I thought I had made progress in understanding the new software, he strikes again with another difficult problem.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Others anticipate a period of lying low before he strikes again.

The Guardian

Now at last we see him transformed, shedding his Nutcracker surface like a husk, revealing the elegant princeling within, and he strikes again that proclamatory tendu-side gesture.

The New York Times - Arts

Whether the killer is caught before he strikes again, the events of last week are certain to be remembered for ever.

The Guardian

"Where's that coffee?" she blurts smirkily before promptly linking the case with an earlier unsolved murder, telling everyone to tuck their shirts in, and launching a task force determined to stop the killer before he strikes again.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A Chinese egghead named Chen Wang Leehomm) finds a link between the two events and, as an envoy working with the American government, is able to convince the Department of Justice to spring Hemsworth to help them track down the baddie before he strikes again.

The Guardian - Film

Will the car-arsonist be caught before he strikes again?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"They are using a lot of manpower and community outreach to thwart this suspect before he or she strikes again,' he told me.

Vice

He struck again.

The Guardian

Martin scored his ninth goal of the season when he struck again in the 79th minute.

Independent

He struck again, and again, and then he turned his attention to the safe.

The Guardian - Business

It was a theme he struck again on Thursday "There's no silver bullet," the president declared.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he strikes again" to create a sense of foreboding or inevitability when someone repeats a specific action, especially in negative or dangerous contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he strikes again" in positive situations, as it often carries a negative connotation suggesting harm or unwanted repetition. Opt for phrases like "he achieves success again" or "he scores again" for positive scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he strikes again" functions as a narrative device, primarily used to indicate the recurrence of an action, often with negative implications. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he strikes again" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently used in news and media contexts to denote the repetition of an action, typically one that is harmful or negative. While the phrase is understandable, its tone suggests alarm, making it best suited for journalistic narratives or suspenseful writing. More neutral alternatives, such as "he repeats his actions", may be more appropriate in formal settings. Remember to use this phrase to invoke a sense of inevitability or to emphasize the potential danger of repeated behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he repeats the action

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the action without specifying the type of action.

he does it once more

A general way of saying someone is repeating something.

he attacks another time

Implies aggression, similar to the original phrase but more specific.

he reoffends

Specifically used in the context of legal or moral transgressions.

he performs the feat anew

More formal and emphasizes the skill or difficulty involved.

he returns to form

Implies a return to a previous level of performance or behavior.

he takes action again

General and less specific, but highlights the repetition of taking action.

he reiterates his move

Highlights the reiteration of a certain action that the actor often repeats.

he makes another attempt

Focuses on the attempt rather than the result, suitable when the outcome is uncertain.

he resumes his efforts

Suggests a continuation of effort after an interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "he strikes again" in a sentence?

This phrase is often used to describe a recurring negative action or event. For example, "The serial killer remained at large, and everyone feared "he would strike again"".

What does "he strikes again" imply?

It typically implies that someone is repeating a harmful or undesirable action. The phrase often suggests a pattern or cycle of negative behavior.

What are some alternatives to "he strikes again"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "he repeats the action", "he does it once more", or "he reoffends" if referring to a crime.

Is it appropriate to use "he strikes again" in a formal setting?

While grammatically correct, its tone is more suited to news reports or narrative writing. In formal settings, consider using more neutral phrases like "he repeats his actions" or "he continues to".