Expression with again

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Je_nie_dieu

#334556 Thu, 01 Mar 07 02:35 PM

Hello

I would like to ask a question about this sentence:

I'm not a regular swimmer but I go ... and again.

What do you think is proper to use instead of suspension points?

Thanks in advance Wink [;)]

Je_nie_dieu

Joined on Fri, Apr 14 2006

Lithuania

Junior Member (56)

Over the line?! You-you’re-you’re so far past the line, that you-you can’t even see the line! The line is a dot to you!

Expressions

Grammar Geek

#334571 Thu, 01 Mar 07 03:06 PM

Do you mean the expression "again and again"? That means you do something over and over, you do, and do it, and do it again. But that WOULD make you a regular at whatever it is you are doing.

What is it you are trying to say, and then we can try to figure out what goes in the blank?

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (16,089)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

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nona the brit

#334577 Thu, 01 Mar 07 03:24 PM

now and again = occassionally.

nona the brit

Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004

England

Veteran Member (11,450)

The name says it all.

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Zeppe

#334579 Thu, 01 Mar 07 03:28 PM

I'm not a regular swimmer, but I go every now and again (or "every now and then").

Look at: [link]

anyway, it means "sometimes", but I don't think it's very common. A much more common alternative is "from time to time".

Zeppe

Joined on Tue, Feb 20 2007

London (but I'm Italian)

New Member (50)

Everything ends badly. Otherwise it wouldn't end.

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Grammar Geek

#334580 Thu, 01 Mar 07 03:32 PM

Ah - good job guys! Every now and again...

Grammar Geek

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Je_nie_dieu

#334597 Thu, 01 Mar 07 03:58 PM

And what do you think about "time and again" ? The dictionary states it's "often", would it make me a regular swimmer?

Je_nie_dieu

Expressions

nona the brit

#334599 Thu, 01 Mar 07 04:01 PM

time and again means repeatedly rather than often (IMO), and it doesn't seem to fit in this context. It also seems to refer to something that has happened a lot in the past and may not necessarily be repeated in future (although it could be).

I've usually heard it in negative contexts 'They were warned time and again not to play on the railway tracks.'

nona the brit

Expressions, Negatives