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back (adverb) and again

Back and again can be used with similar meanings, but there are some differences.

back with a verb​

With a verb, we use back to suggest a return to an earlier situation, a movement in the opposite direction to an earlier movement, and similar ideas. Again is not normally used in this way with a verb.

  • Give me my watch back. (not Give me my watch again.)
  • I’m taking this meat back to the shop. (not I’m taking this meat to the shop again.)

again with a verb​

With a verb, again usually suggests repetition. Compare:

  • That was lovely. Can you play it again?
    When I’ve recorded your voice I’ll play it back.
  • Sam was really bad-mannered. I’m never going to invite him again.
    She comes to our parties but she never invites us back.
  • I don’t think he got your email. You’d better write again.
    If I write to you, will you write back?

Note the difference between sell back (to the same person) and sell again.

  • The bike you sold me is too small. Can I sell it back to you?
  • If we buy this house and then have to move somewhere else, how easy will it be to sell it again?

Cases when back is not used​

When the verb itself already expresses the idea of ‘return to an earlier situation’ or ‘movement in the opposite direction’, back is not generally used.

  • Stefan can never return to his country. (More natural than Stefan can never return back …)
  • Who opened the window? Could you close it, please? (not … close it back …)

However, again can be used to emphasise the idea of ‘return to an earlier situation’.

  • Stefan can never return to his country again.
  • Who opened the window? Could you close it again, please?

Adverb particles, etc​

With adverb particles and prepositional phrases, we can use both back and again to suggest ‘return to an earlier situation’, etc.

  • I stood up, and then I sat (back) down (again).
  • He tasted the apple and spat it (back) out (again).
  • Go (back) to sleep (again).
  • I’ll be (back) in the office (again) on Monday.

ring/call back​

Note that ring back (British English only) and call back can be used to mean both ‘return a phone call’ and ‘repeat a phone call’.

  • ‘She’s not here just now.’ ‘Ask her to ring/call me back.’ (= return my call)
  • ‘I haven’t got time to talk now.’ ‘OK, I’ll ring/call back later.’ (= ring again)

Word order​

Back is an adverb particle (see here), and can usually go between a verb and its object, unless this is a pronoun (see here). Again cannot.

  • Take back your money – I don’t want it. (or Take your money back …)
  • Count the money again, please. (not Count again the money …)
note

For other uses of back and again, see a good dictionary.