at a multiple of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a multiple of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing quantities, measurements, or values that are expressed as multiples of a certain number. Example: "The price of the item is set at a multiple of ten dollars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the group is trading at a multiple of 30 times earnings.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Business

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

Exxon Mobil, a company that has been around for more than a hundred years and generates vast profits, trades at a multiple of one times earnings — yes, one times earnings — and at a multiple of seven times its cash flow.

The New Yorker

Spain's $63 billion incumbent Telefonica, for example, trades at a multiple of about 9.6 forward earnings.

The New York Times

Investors value Wells at 14.8 times this year's expected earnings, and JPMorgan at a multiple of 13.9.

The New York Times

Engelhard, they write, "is thought to believe" its earnings should trade at a multiple of 17 after the buyback and a newly announced $15 million cost-cutting plan.

The New York Times

In fact, shares of Nortel, which is based in Brampton, Ontario, have been trading at a multiple of its estimated earnings of closer to 80.

The New York Times

Despite Facebook's rapid growth, many venture-capital outfits would have been reluctant to buy its equity at a multiple of thirty or forty times revenues.

The New Yorker

The net effect can be seen in the numbers: the average London property is now at a multiple of 13 times average income.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a multiple of", ensure the base value and the multiplier are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "at a multiple of 2 times the annual revenue" instead of just "at a multiple of 2".

Common error

A common mistake is failing to specify what the multiple is applied to, leading to confusion. Always clarify the base value. Instead of writing 'The valuation is at a multiple of 10', specify 'The valuation is at a multiple of 10 times earnings'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a multiple of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating a quantitative relationship. It specifies a value obtained by multiplying a base quantity by a certain factor. Ludwig examples show it often relates to financial valuations and comparisons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at a multiple of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that quantifies relationships between numerical values. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common application in financial and business contexts. It's crucial to specify the base value when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include phrases like "by a factor of" or "times greater than". As this analysis shows, "at a multiple of" is a valuable expression for precise communication about proportions and valuations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multiple of

Slightly shorter, less verbose version of the query.

by a factor of

Indicates scaling by multiplication, similar to using a multiple.

times greater than

Expresses a quantity being larger in direct proportion.

X times

A more concise mathematical expression of multiplication.

in proportion to

Highlights a proportional relationship but is less specific about the multiplier.

scaled by

Implies that a value is adjusted using a multiplicative factor.

increased by a factor of

Explicitly states an increase using a multiplicative factor.

calculated as

Indicates the result is the calculation after multiplying something.

corresponding to

Highlights a relationship between two amounts when the scaling is known.

relative to

Shows a connection or comparison, when one is compared to a quantity of another thing.

FAQs

How can I use "at a multiple of" in a sentence?

You can use "at a multiple of" to describe a value in relation to another, indicating a scaling factor. For example, "The company was valued "at a multiple of" its annual revenue".

What are some alternatives to "at a multiple of"?

Some alternatives include "by a factor of", "times greater than", or "in proportion to", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a multiple of" instead of "at a multiple of"?

While "a multiple of" is grammatically correct, ""at a multiple of"" is often used to specify a precise valuation or measurement in relation to something else. The inclusion of 'at' adds a sense of specific valuation or point of reference.

What does it mean when a company is valued "at a multiple of" its earnings?

It means the company's total value is determined by multiplying its earnings by a certain factor. For instance, valued "at a multiple of" 10 times earnings suggests the company's worth is ten times its earnings.