How many times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "How many times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the frequency of an event or action. Example: "How many times have you visited that museum this year?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How many times?

The New York Times

"How many times a week?" I asked.

The New York Times

How many times have you heard it?

The New York Times

How many times have you seen it?

The New York Times

How many times can he say that?

The New Yorker

How many times you snuck over there?

The New Yorker

How many times have you read it?

The New York Times

How many times did that happen?

The Economist

"How many times can I sue you?

The New York Times

How many times did you squeal?

WikiHow

How many times was I surprised?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "How many times", ensure the context clearly defines what event or action you're asking about to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "How many times have you been late?", specify "How many times have you been late this week?"

Common error

A common mistake is using "How many times" without a clear timeframe or reference point. To prevent confusion, always include a specific period or event to provide context. Instead of saying "How many times did that happen?", clarify with "How many times did that happen during the meeting?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "How many times" serves as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the frequency or number of occurrences of an event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "How many times" is a grammatically correct and very common interrogative phrase used to inquire about the frequency or number of occurrences of an event or action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general conversation. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to provide a clear context to avoid ambiguity. When considering alternatives, phrases like "How often" or "On how many occasions" can be used depending on the level of formality required. Remember to clearly define the timeframe or event you are asking about to avoid confusion, and always use "How many times" instead of the incorrect "How much times".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

How often

Offers a more concise way to ask about the frequency of an event.

What is the frequency

Replaces the explicit question about quantity with a request for the rate of occurrence.

What number of instances

Replaces 'times' with 'instances' providing a more formal tone.

On how many occasions

Replaces "times" with "occasions", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

How recurrently

Substitutes 'many times' with an adverb emphasizing the repeated nature of the action.

How repeatedly

Replaces "many times" with an adverb, highlighting the repetitive aspect.

To what extent

Shifts the focus to the degree or scope of repetition.

What's the count

Uses a more direct approach to ask about the quantity.

How abundant

Focuses on the plentiful nature of occurrences, rather than the precise number.

How considerable a number of occurrences

Uses a more formal and verbose way to inquire about the amount of times something happened.

FAQs

How can I use "How many times" in a sentence?

You can use "How many times" to inquire about the frequency of an action or event. For example: "How many times have you visited Paris?" or "How many times did the phone ring before you answered?"

What's a more formal way to ask "How many times"?

For a more formal approach, you could use "On how many occasions?" or "What is the frequency of occurrence?". These alternatives are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "How much times" instead of "How many times"?

No, "How much times" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "How many times", as "times" is countable. Use "How much" for uncountable nouns, and "How many" for countable nouns.

What can I say instead of "How many times" to express frustration?

If you're expressing frustration, you could say, "How often must this happen?" or "How many more times do I have to tell you?". These phrases convey a sense of annoyance or exasperation.