Encore vs. à nouveau

Question

Why must I transat 'as if I pas 21 again' as 'si j'avais à nouveau 21 ans' and not 'si j'avais encore 21 ans'?

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Kathryn,
In this context, 'encore' means 'still', i.e. if I was still 21, which is different from if I was 21 (all over) again.
Here "de nouveau/à nouveau" both work to convey the "renewal" aspect rather than continuity.
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Answer

Hi Kathryn,Encore  --> de nouveau --> to repeat (once again)à nouveau  --> to start again (in the sense of afresh)So your desire to be 21 yrs again (et moi aussi) brings the sense of "afresh".This is why I think your use of "encore"  was not accepted.Hope this helps.Jim