second time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "second time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to doing or experiencing something again, or to refer to something happening for the second of two times. For example: "This is the second time I've seen this movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The second time, paragraphs.

Independent

"Second time this morning".

The New Yorker

Here's the second time.

The New York Times

The second time: life.

The Economist

The second time was different.

The New York Times

Their second time is different.

The New Yorker

A second time is unfortunate.

Independent

Display a second time zone?

The New York Times

We kissed a second time.

The New Yorker

Psychologically raped a second time".

The New Yorker

The second time, she him.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Make your sentence more descriptive by mentioning the reason why the second event happened. "The first time he failed, but the second time, after studying hard, he aced the test".

Common error

Avoid using "secondly" when referring to a repeated event or instance. "Secondly" is an adverb used to introduce the second point in a list or argument, whereas "second time" refers to a recurrence of an event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second time" functions as an adverbial phrase, often modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurred. It specifies that an action or event happened on the occasion following the first. Ludwig provides many examples of this usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "second time" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that serves to indicate the repetition of an event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, supported by numerous examples across various contexts like news, media, and informal conversations. Although suitable for formal use, it's essential to prevent confusion with "secondly", which serves a different grammatical purpose. To enhance clarity, especially in comparative situations, specifying the context of the comparison ensures clear communication. This phrase is extremely frequent in "News & Media" and "Wiki".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the time after

A more descriptive way of saying "the second time", focusing on the temporal sequence.

on the second occasion

Replaces "time" with "occasion", emphasizing a specific instance or event.

a second instance

Substitutes "time" with "instance", highlighting a particular occurrence or example.

the other time

It's a shorter version of the original phrase, mostly used to refer back to a certain moment already addressed.

for the second go

Uses "go" in place of "time", suggesting an attempt or try, often in an informal context.

a repeated event

Highlights the recurring nature of the occurrence.

the next iteration

Implies a process or series, where this is the subsequent stage or version.

subsequent attempt

Highlights the effort made and its sequential position.

following episode

Suitable when referring to events in a series or sequence, such as in a TV show or story.

the reprise

Refers to a repetition or recurrence, often in the context of music or performance.

FAQs

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

You can use "second time" to describe a repeated event or experience. For example, "This is the "second time" I've visited Paris", or "He failed the test the first time, but passed it the "second time".

What's the difference between "second time" and "another time"?

"Second time" refers specifically to the recurrence of an event immediately following the first occurrence. "Another time" is more general and can refer to any subsequent occurrence, not necessarily the very next one.

Is it correct to say "the "second time" around"?

Yes, "the "second time" around" is a common and acceptable idiom that means "the second attempt" or "the second experience". It implies a cyclical or repetitive nature to the event.

What phrases are similar to "at second attempt"?

Similar phrases to "at second attempt" include "the "second time"", "on the "second" try", or "after another try".