only once again

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only once again" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used to emphasize that something is happening for the second time, but it is better to use more common expressions. Example: "I will only once again remind you to submit your report by Friday."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He was 41 & only once again did he come close to winning a major championship.

The New Yorker

He was 41 & only once again did he come close to winning a major championship..

The New Yorker

The Times has not only once again lived up to my expectations of editorial anti-Catholicism, it has exceeded them.

The New York Times

Pitt himself was returned for the University of Cambridge; only once again (1790), at subsequent elections, did he have to stand a contest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He visited London only once again, in 1673, to purchase supplies for what would have been Britain's first public astronomical observatory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although Warhol would only once again work in video, Ms. Angell believes that "Outer and Inner Space" had a decisive influence on his development.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The endowment mis-selling scandal seemed to put paid to this, but during the property boom of the 2000s interest-only once again became the mortgage of choice, this time for buy-to-let investors and hard-pressed first-time buyers, many of whom are gambling on a rise in their property price.

Independent

But once again, only the Legislature can change its own rules.

The New York Times

There was no snowfro this time, only snow-dreads, but once again Jermaine Jones was the headline act.

The Guardian - Sport

Sessegnon should have won it in injury time, beating four players, but once again, could only fire straight at Begovic.

BBC

Collins kept in touch sporadically with Lomax, but they only met once again, in Brighton in the early 90s.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "once again" or "just one more time" for clearer and more natural-sounding writing. While "only once again" is understandable, it may strike some readers as slightly awkward.

Common error

Avoid using "only once again" when a simpler word like "again" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only once again" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the repetition of an action. It emphasizes that the action is occurring for the second time, with an implication that it will not be repeated further. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase emphasizes that something is happening for the second time, but it is better to use more common expressions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only once again" signifies that an action is happening a second time, potentially implying it won't occur again. While understandable, Ludwig AI suggests that it's not the most common or elegant phrasing. Consider opting for alternatives like "once again" or "just one more time" for a smoother, more natural style. While acceptable in news or encyclopedic writing, simpler alternatives often provide greater clarity. As Ludwig highlights, the key is to ensure your writing is clear and effective, and sometimes, that means choosing more familiar phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once again

Similar to "again" but slightly more formal and emphatic.

just one more time

Emphasizes the singularity of the repeated action, focusing on it being a final occurrence.

only one more time

Similar to "just one more time", but with a slightly stronger sense of limitation.

once more

A more concise and common way to express a repeated action.

again

The simplest and most direct way to indicate a repeated action.

for the second time

Specifically indicates that the action is happening for the second instance.

a second time

Another way to specify that something is happening for the second time.

yet again

Implies a sense of weariness or frustration about the repetition.

returning once more

Expresses the idea of something returning or happening again, with a slightly stronger emphasis on the return aspect.

repeating just once

Highlights the action of repeating something, but only on one occasion.

FAQs

What does "only once again" mean?

The phrase "only once again" means that something is happening a second time and, implicitly, not expected to happen any more times after this instance. It is used to emphasize the limited nature of the repetition.

Is "only once again" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "only once again" is not the most common or stylistically elegant phrase. Alternatives like "just one more time" or "once again" are often preferred.

When should I use "only once again"?

You can use "only once again" when you want to emphasize that something is happening for a second and final time. However, consider whether a simpler phrase like "again" or "one more time" would be more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "only once again"?

Alternatives include "once again", "just one more time", "for the second time", or simply "again". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of emphasis.