how many times does

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how many times does" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the frequency of an action or event. Example: "How many times does the train run each day?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

How many times does Hugo Weaving sneer?

The New York Times

2. How many times does the letter "E" appear?

The New Yorker

How many times does that happen in a match?

The Guardian - Sport

How many times does zero go into ten?

Yale University

How many times does it take to learn?

The New York Times

How many times does this has to be debunked?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

How many times did that happen?

The Economist

How many times did you squeal?

WikiHow

How many times did I watch that?

The New Yorker

How many times did you notice it?

Yale University

How many times did it appear?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking about frequency, ensure the subject of the question is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of asking "How many times does it happen?", specify "How many times does this issue occur per month?"

Common error

While "how many times does" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "what is the frequency of" or "on how many occasions does" in academic or professional writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how many times does" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the frequency or number of occurrences of a particular event or action. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how many times does" serves as a common and grammatically sound way to inquire about the frequency or repetition of an event. As Ludwig's analysis indicates, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news media, academic writing, and general inquiries. While generally neutral in tone, users might opt for more formal alternatives like "what is the frequency of" in professional settings to convey a more sophisticated style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

How often does

Replaces "how many times" with "how often", focusing on frequency rather than count.

How frequently does

A direct synonym, replacing "many times" with "frequently" to inquire about the rate of occurrence.

How many instances of

Frames the question in terms of the number of specific instances of an event.

What is the frequency of

Uses a more formal and technical term, "frequency", to inquire about repetition.

What number of times does

A more verbose way of asking about the quantity of occurrences.

On how many occasions does

Employs a more formal and elaborate structure to ask about the number of instances.

To what extent does

Shifts the focus to the degree or magnitude to which something occurs.

How recurrent is

Uses "recurrent" to emphasize the repetitive nature of the action or event.

How repetitively does

Highlights the repetitive quality of the action, using the adverb "repetitively".

What is the repetition rate of

Adopts a technical tone, focusing on the rate at which something is repeated.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "how many times does" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "how often does", "what is the frequency of", or "on how many occasions does" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "how many times does" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "how many times does" may sound informal in certain contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "what is the frequency of" or "to what extent does".

What's the difference between "how many times does" and "how often does"?

Both phrases inquire about frequency, but "how often does" generally refers to the rate at which something occurs, while "how many times does" focuses on the count of occurrences. They are often interchangeable.

How to use "how many times does" in a sentence?

You can use "how many times does" to ask about the repetition of an action or event. For example: "How many times does the train run each day?" or "How many times does this error occur?"