a few times of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few times of" is not correct and is not typically used in written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a specific meaning; it may be an attempt to express frequency but lacks proper structure. Example: "I visited the museum a few times of the year."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

These trees stand in a swampy flood plain forest that floods a few times of year.

The Guardian - Travel

She mentions her mother, briefly, and in the entire story there is this single, and singular, reference to an actual family: "There have been a few times of gardening together as a family that may make a good happy memory".

The New Yorker

I just hope that there's enough people switched-on enough to go: 'They're at it.'" She says this a few times, of a few people, before I finally ask: "At it" – what does that mean?

The Guardian

One criticism I've heard a few times of Fallout 3 was from FPS fans that didn't like the VATS system, which essentially reduced the skill of shooting into a more RPG-like, points-spending affair.

The Guardian - Tech

In every case converged results have been obtained only after a few times of modification.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

It takes a few times of going to get a sense of the place and what you're doing.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

After a few time of trotting 5-6 strides before the pole, make the simple change in 3-4 sthenes, then again once he gets the feel of that, decrease it to 1 or 2 strides.

WikiHow

I felt a few times out of rhythm and not bowling to the plans I wanted to".

The Guardian - Sport

I've had it a few times out of a bottle, but the keg beer has always tasted better.

TechCrunch

Twist the 4 foot (1.2 m) length a few times to make a sort of rope.

WikiHow

Our school was forced to close a few times because of roadblocks; protests, clashes and other forms of demonstration were an everyday occurrence.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To specify an exact number of occurrences, use "twice" for two times or "three times" for three times.

Common error

Avoid using "of" directly after phrases indicating frequency, such as "a few times". The correct structure typically involves using "a few times" followed by a verb or within a clause that provides context without the unnecessary preposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few times of" is intended to function as an adverbial phrase of frequency, indicating how often an action occurs. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect, disrupting its intended function. Correct alternatives include using "several times" or "on a few occasions".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few times of" is commonly found but grammatically incorrect, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's intended to express frequency but falls short due to improper construction. Correct alternatives include "several times" or "on a few occasions", which maintain the intended meaning while adhering to standard grammar rules. Despite its presence in diverse sources like News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles, prioritizing grammatical accuracy ensures clearer and more effective communication. While "a few times of" might slip into informal conversation, it's best to avoid it in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Several times

Emphasizes a number of occurrences, similar to 'a few times' but without specifying the quantity.

On a few occasions

Replaces "times" with "occasions", adding a touch of formality while retaining the core meaning.

A couple of times

More specific than "a few times", indicating exactly two occurrences.

From time to time

Indicates irregular but repeated occurrences.

Occasionally

A single word that conveys infrequent repetition.

Now and then

Similar to 'from time to time', suggesting infrequent and irregular occurrences.

A handful of times

Expresses 'a few' in a more descriptive, qualitative way.

On several instances

Replaces "times" with "instances", providing a slightly more formal tone.

At times

Indicates that something happens sometimes, though not very frequently.

Every so often

Expresses that something happens at irregular intervals.

FAQs

Is "a few times of" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "a few times of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives like "several times" or "on a few occasions".

What's a better way to say "a few times of"?

Instead of "a few times of", try using phrases such as "several times", "a couple of times", or "on a few occasions". These alternatives are grammatically correct and widely accepted.

How can I use "several times" instead of "a few times of" in a sentence?

You can replace "a few times of" with "several times" directly in your sentence. For example, instead of saying "I visited the museum a few times of the year", say "I visited the museum "several times" this year".

What is the difference between "a few times" and "a few times of"?

"A few times" is the correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something has happened on more than one occasion. Adding "of" after "a few times" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Opt for "a few times" or other alternatives for correct usage.