[Vocabulary] What is the difference between over and over again and again and again?

[Aamir Tariq]

Is there a difference between "again and again" and "over and over again"?
Are they interchangeable?

Regards
Aamir the Global Citizen

 

[emsr2d2]

You have been on this forum for long enough (under two usernames) to know that we require full sentences in order to give our opinion.

 

[Aamir Tariq]

You have been on this forum for long enough (under two usernames) to know that we require full sentences in order to give our opinion.

I don't know if I can use the first username anymore, it doesn't work anymore, this is the only one I have now.

Most of the questions I ask are not from any source but what I have heard in movies, on TV, talk shows. So when I feel for example if two phrases have similar meanings I feel the need to know if they are different in any way or if they are interchangeable.

Now, I do construct my own sentences but you know I am not very good at punctuation, I do get confused with those comma splices. However, one of the moderators gave me a link to read about it, I am still confused to use them.

John had proposed Alexandra on many occasions over and over again, but Alexandra felt indifferent.
John had proposed Alexandra on many occasions again and again, but Alexandra felt indifferent.

Now in this one the first one sounds more natural to me.

 

[Raymott]

They mean the same to me. I'd put that phrase before "on many occasions", not after it.

"John proposed to Alexandra."

 

[GoesStation]

John had proposed Alexandra on many occasions over and over again, but Alexandra felt indifferent.
John had proposed Alexandra on many occasions again and again, but Alexandra felt indifferent.

John has to propose to Alexandra.

On many occasions is redundant in both sentences. Just leave it out.

 

[Aamir Tariq]

John has to propose to Alexandra.

On many occasions is redundant in both sentences. Just leave it out.

Yeah, using "on many occasions" with "over and over again" sounds like repetition, so "on many occasions" should be left out. Another new thing I learned from Raymott's and your post is that we should use the preposition "to" after "proposed".

 

[Tarheel]

Say:

John had proposed to Alexandra on many occasions.

OR

John had proposed to Alexandra many times.

If you insist upon using "over and over" you don't need to use "again" with it. Also, saying he did it over and over makes it seem like he did it on Monday and Tuesday and then and then again on Wednesday.

 

[jutfrank]

I agree with Tarheel here in that neither phrase you mention adds much to your sentence. Many times or on many occasions would be enough.

My feeling about the phrases, though, is that over and over again has only negative connotation and is likely to suggest a sense of tedium or exasperation whereas again and again could imply excitement.

 

[Aamir Tariq]

Say:

If you insist upon using "over and over" you don't need to use "again" with it. Also, saying he did it over and over makes it seem like he did it on Monday and Tuesday and then and then again on Wednesday.

I

My feeling about the phrases, though, is that over and over again has only negative connotation and is likely to suggest a sense of tedium or exasperation whereas again and again could imply excitement.

This is exactly what I was looking for the difference between "over and over again" and "again and again". And jutfrank the additional information you provided is indeed very very helpful thank you very much for sharing your valuable thoughts, they are much appreciated.

There is another thing that has come to my mind just as brother Tarheel has suggested "many times" or "on many occasions" are interchangeable. Now I have also heard "many a times". Can you guys elaborate a little bit on "many a times"? Now, is it colloquial or standard? And is it different from "many times"?

 

[Rover_KE]

The idiom 'many a time' (not 'times') means 'on many occasions' or 'many times'.

idiom

many a time
again and again; frequently.

(Collins)

 

[Raymott]

I passed "again and again on many occasions", because he could have asked her over and over in one evening a month ago, then again each week since then. He asked her "again and again" on many discrete occasions.
It's correct and acceptable if that's the intended meaning.

 

[Tarheel]

In theory I suppose you could propose to a woman more than once on the same day. Whether that ever actually happens is another story.