Common Mistakes : Again

Again – Adverb

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BAD: It’s time I gave you your photographs again

GOOD: It’s time I gave you your photographs back

DUBIOUS: He’d like to have his bicycle again if you’ve finished with it

GOOD: He’d like to have his bicycle back if you’ve finished with it

If you give something to the person who gave it to you, you give it back to them. When you mean ‘to the person who had it before’, ‘to the place where something was before’ etc, use back (NOT again ): ‘He took the camera back to the shop and asked for his money back.’ ‘Shall I put these books back on the shelf

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BAD: I’ll phone you again in five minutes

GOOD: I’ll phone you back in five minutes

If you telephone someone after they have telephoned you, you call/ring/phone them back: Put down the receiver and I’ll call you back

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BAD: I would like to visit again some of these places

GOOD: I would like to visit some of these places again

BAD: I’ll give you again my address

GOOD: I’ll give you my address again

Again (= a second time) usually comes after the object: ‘It’s wonderful to see you again.’ Would you like to watch the film again