a time or so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a time or so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an approximate number of occasions or instances when something has happened. Example: "I've visited that restaurant a time or so, and each experience has been delightful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Across the street runs a string of houses built two at a time, or so it seems.

The New York Times

Once upon a time, or so we're told, the princes were charming, the villains were grotesque, and distinguishing between them was as simple as examining their manners and their minds.

The New Yorker

Though it is hard to believe in the era of angst-steeped shows like "Rent," "Spring Awakening" and "American Idiot," there was a time (or so I hear from the old ones at the bar at Joe Allen) when it was fun to be young in a Broadway musical.

The New York Times

There was a time — or so I'm told — when print journalists were simply print journalists: they reported, they wrote, and they left the on-air prognosticating to those folks whose silky hair and blessed bone structure seemed destined for television gigs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Sort so many files at a time, or clean so many square feet.

WikiHow

I've found myself in the same spot a time or two so I hold no ill will.

The Guardian - Arts

The past was a naughtier time or so it seems.

The Guardian - Film

"Any road, he tries it a fifth time or so, and I'm in on it fast and let fly – and knock all three down from square-leg.

The Guardian - Sport

But remember: You'll be living with your new PC for a long time (or so you should hope).

Forbes

What we now usually regard as genuine multi-place relations were not recognized as such by philosophers for quite a long time, or so it seems.

SEP

Possible, but we've heard this story a time or two before so don't get that excited.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a time or so" when you want to indicate an approximate and small number of occurrences, implying uncertainty or lack of precise counting.

Common error

While acceptable in general writing, "a time or so" might sound too informal or vague for academic or professional contexts. Opt for more precise alternatives like "a few times" or "on several occasions" to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a time or so" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating an approximate frequency or duration. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase adds a degree of uncertainty or estimation to the action or state being described.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a time or so" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, indicating an approximate number of occasions or instances. As noted by Ludwig, it's acceptable for general use but might be too informal for academic or business writing where more precise language is preferred. You'll commonly find it in news articles, blog posts and general web content. Consider alternatives like "a few times" or "occasionally" depending on your desired level of formality and precision. While its usage isn't rampant, the expression is employed by credible sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, suggesting it's a valid and understood part of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few times

Indicates a small, indefinite number of occurrences, similar to "a time or so" but potentially implying fewer instances.

several times

Suggests more occurrences than "a time or so", implying a notable but unspecified number of instances.

once or twice

More specific than "a time or so", indicating either one or two occurrences.

a couple of times

Similar to "once or twice" but strictly limited to two occurrences.

every so often

Indicates irregular but repeated occurrences, focusing on the intermittent nature.

from time to time

Similar to "every so often", emphasizing occasional and irregular instances.

occasionally

A single-word adverb expressing infrequent occurrences.

now and then

Indicates sporadic occurrences, similar to "from time to time".

a handful of times

Implies a small number of occurrences, similar in magnitude to "a few times" but more descriptive.

once in a while

Emphasizes the infrequency of the event, indicating that it happens rarely.

FAQs

How can I use "a time or so" in a sentence?

Use "a time or so" to indicate that something has happened on a small number of occasions, without being precise. For example, "I've seen that movie "a time or so", and I still enjoy it".

What phrases are similar to "a time or so"?

Alternatives to "a time or so" include "a few times", "several times", or "occasionally", depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

Is "a time or so" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a time or so" leans towards informal usage. For formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "a few times" or "on several occasions".

What's the difference between "a time or so" and "a few times"?

"A time or so" and "a few times" are similar, but "a few times" might suggest a slightly larger number of occurrences. Both imply a small, indefinite quantity.