Cool MateSay again vs Say what one more goddamn time
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Say again
Top 2,000 (common)
Say what one more goddamn time
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Say againMost common: Say again
| Say again | Say what one more goddamn time | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //seɪ əˈɡɛn//🇺🇸 //seɪ əˈɡɛn// | 🇬🇧 //seɪ wɒt wʌn mɔːr ˈɡɒd.dæm taɪm//🇺🇸 //seɪ wɑt wʌn mɔr ˈɡɑd.dæm taɪm// |
| Meaning | To repeat something that was just said. | Repeat something one more time. |
| Example | I didn't catch that, could you please say again? | When he yelled, 'Say what one more goddamn time,' everyone fell silent. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | ask to say again, hard to say again, quickly say again | say that again, say it one more time, do it again |
| Common mistakes | Using 'say again' in overly formal situations; better to use 'Could you repeat that?', Confusing 'say again' with 'say it again'; 'say again' is more concise. | Misuse in polite conversation or formal contexts., Omitting 'goddamn' makes it less emphatic., Confusing with 'say that again', which is more neutral. |
| Usage notes | Use 'say again' in conversations when you want clarification. It's polite and neutral, appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. | This phrase is often used for emphasis, usually in a frustrated or angry tone. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Say again vs Say what one more goddamn time
What's the difference between Say again and Say what one more goddamn time?
Say again: To repeat something that was just said. Say what one more goddamn time: Repeat something one more time.
Which is more formal: Say again and Say what one more goddamn time?
Say again is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Say again and Say what one more goddamn time?
Say again is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Say again: I didn't catch that, could you please say again? Say what one more goddamn time: When he yelled, 'Say what one more goddamn time,' everyone fell silent.
Can I use Say again and Say what one more goddamn time interchangeably?
Not always. Say again and Say what one more goddamn time are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.