a few times

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few times" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a frequency of something, usually referring to an action. For example: "I have been to the beach a few times this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few times.

The New York Times - Sports

He sighed a few times.

The New York Times - Sports

I rehearsed a few times.

The New York Times

I try a few times.

The New York Times - Food

I went a few times.

The Guardian

Try it a few times.

The New Yorker

Proofread a few times.

University of California, Berkeley

"I blew up a few times.

The Guardian

Father Mecca visited him a few times.

The New York Times

Nonrenewed a few times, fired never".

The New York Times - Sports

He has come close a few times.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few times" to indicate a small number of repetitions or occurrences when the exact number is not important or unknown. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on vague quantifiers like "a few times" in situations that require precision. If the exact number of repetitions or occurrences is known, it is more effective to state the specific number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few times" functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency, modifying a verb to indicate how often an action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English, indicating a small number of repetitions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

36%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few times" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase indicating that an action has occurred on a small number of occasions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. It functions to provide an approximate measure of frequency without requiring precision. While alternatives like "several times" or "on a few occasions" exist, "a few times" strikes a balance between informality and clarity. Its widespread use across news, media and wiki sources demonstrates its general acceptability. When aiming for greater precision, consider using an exact number or a more specific frequency adverb.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several times

This alternative suggests a slightly higher frequency than "a few times".

on a few occasions

This phrase adds a formal tone compared to "a few times".

a couple of times

This phrase is more specific, indicating exactly two instances.

a handful of times

Implies a small, indefinite number of instances, similar to "a few times".

more than once

This is a general phrase indicating repetition without specifying the exact number of instances.

occasionally

This adverb indicates that something happens sometimes, which is a broader sense of "a few times".

from time to time

This suggests irregular intervals, implying that the action happens periodically.

now and then

Similar to 'from time to time', this phrase implies infrequent and irregular occurrences.

at intervals

Suggests that actions happen periodically or repeatedly, but may not be limited to just a few.

at various times

This is a less frequent way to express a similar idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few times" to describe the frequency of an action. For example, "I've seen that movie "a few times"." or "She called "a few times" to check on me."

What are some alternatives to "a few times"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "several times", "a couple of times", or "occasionally" instead of "a few times".

Is it better to say "a few times" or provide an exact number?

It depends on the situation. If the exact number is known and relevant, providing the specific number is better. If the exact number is not known or not important, "a few times" is appropriate.

Can "a few times" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a few times" is generally acceptable in formal writing, though in certain contexts, a more precise or formal alternative like "on several occasions" might be preferred.