Back again

Question

Hi,I understand "I'm back again!"But in the imperative, "Go back again," what does "again" modify?Best regards,  - A.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

'Again' is a sentence adverbial modifying 'go back'.

Avangi · Answer

Mister Micawber'Again' is a sentence adverbial modifying 'go back'.

Hmmm. Maybe it's the meaning of "again" I'm having trouble with - or more specifically, the difference between "to be it again" and "to do it again."

"I'm here again" implies that I was here before and left. And now I'm back.
I've been here twice, but I may have come back only once.

It seems silly, and it's probably better not to think about it. But it just doesn't compute.
If someone tells me to go back again, I must have gone back before. Is it not so?
Is this some kind of conundrum? Am I not being asked to perform the act of returning a second time?

It was nice meeting you. Please come back again! It really makes no sense.
I can buy "Please come again," and "please come back," but "Please come back again" seems wrong, especially where "again" modifies the action.

"Please be back again" makes sense, but it sounds terrible.

Put it back! [Y] Put it back again! [N]

- A.

Mister Micawber · Answer

'Back again', 'return again' are commonly occurring logical redundancies. I suppose they developed as an unconscious attempt at reinforcement, much like legal jargon (aid and abet, will and testament, etc.)

Is that what you're after?

Avangi · Answer

Mister MicawberIs that what you're after?

Exactly! Thanks.

Sometimes it seems as if the stock arguments we use to explain to ESL learners why things are wrong, may be turned against us when things are "right." (things we would not normally think about)

In other cases we have "special" explanations to make the illogical logical again.

(In this case, "to make it to be logical again." Not "to make it logical again.")

But many redundancies are not illogical. "To return again" is neither redundant nor illogical as long as you've returned before.

When I saw the price, I put it back on the shelf again. This is illogical, unless there's another interpretation.

CalifJim · Answer

AvangiWhen I saw the price, I put it back on the shelf again. This is illogical, unless there's another interpretation.

Since I know you "love" it when we insert all kinds of explanatory words in a sentence, this means,

When I saw the price, I put it back on the shelf (, where it was before, so that it was there) again.

CJ

Avangi · Answer

CalifJimSince I know you "love" it when we insert all kinds of explanatory words

possible

- A.

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