a multiple of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a multiple of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a number that is the product of two or more other specific numbers. For example, "The number 24 is a multiple of 3, 4, and 6."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

BP trades on a multiple of six.

The New York Times

We went through a period where valuations were a multiple of expenses rather than a multiple of profits, and that has changed.

The New York Times

Typically banks are valued as a multiple of book value.

The Economist

One concurred with Standard Life Bank, saying a multiple of four would be the maximum.

The Guardian - Money

"Set the cap at a multiple of the wage of the average employee in their businesses.

The Guardian - Business

So why has Oracle's valuation gone up by a multiple of nearly eight?

The New York Times

For instance, the Koran consists of one hundred and fourteen chapters — a multiple of nineteen".

The New Yorker

Let's pick a multiple of 300, well above the historical average.

The New York Times

Cisco the technology company is selling at a multiple of about 17 times sales.

The New York Times

But Sysco the food company sells at a multiple of less than its growth in sales.

The New York Times

It would receive matching funding from the state as a multiple of its membership receipts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a multiple of", ensure the context clearly indicates the base number being multiplied. This avoids ambiguity and ensures accurate communication.

Common error

Avoid using "a multiple of" without clearly defining the base number. For instance, stating "the cost is a multiple" is unclear. Specify the base, like "the cost is a multiple of the original price."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a multiple of" functions primarily as a quantitative descriptor, indicating that a certain value is derived by multiplying a base number by an integer. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from financial valuations to mathematical principles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a multiple of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express proportional relationships and scaling. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly defining the base value to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as "a factor of" or "times a number" can offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some multiple of

Implies an unspecified multiple.

a factor of

Focuses on divisibility rather than multiplication.

in multiples of

Indicates that something is counted or measured in specific increments.

times a number

Specifies the multiplicative relationship explicitly.

a product of

Focuses on the result of multiplication.

a proportion of

Implies a ratio or fraction relative to a whole.

a quantity of

Refers to an unspecified amount or number, often larger than the base value.

increased by a factor of

Emphasizes the increase in size or amount.

scaled by

Indicates that something is adjusted or changed in size.

amplified by

Suggests a significant increase or magnification.

FAQs

How do I use "a multiple of" in a sentence?

Use "a multiple of" to show a quantity that results from multiplying a number by a whole number. For example, "20 is a multiple of 5" or "The budget is a multiple of last year's allocation".

What are some alternatives to "a multiple of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a factor of", "times a number", or "a proportion of".

Is it correct to say "multiple of" without the article "a"?

While "multiple of" might be understood in some contexts, it's grammatically preferable to use the article "a" (i.e., "a multiple of"). This clarifies that you're referring to one instance of a multiple relationship.

What's the difference between "a multiple of" and "a factor of"?

"A multiple of" refers to a number that can be obtained by multiplying a given number by an integer (e.g., 12 is a multiple of 3). "A factor of" refers to a number that divides another number evenly (e.g., 3 is a factor of 12).