many a time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "many a time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has happened frequently, or many times. For example: "He has crossed this bridge many a time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'd been there many a time.

The New York Times - Magazine

I've seen this car many a time.

The New Yorker

I've been scared stiff many a time.

The Guardian - Books

"Kozmo was my salvation many a time.

The New York Times

That's only natural – that's happened many a time.

The Guardian - Sport

That's the way that went many a time.

The New York Times

He talked over my head many a time".

The New York Times - Magazine

Many a time I have thought of giving it up".

The New York Times - Books

I got knocked the fuck out many a time.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Many-a-time, the bricks are also made up earth blocks stabilized with different materials.

Construction and Building Materials

We'd Both Been There Before (Many A Time).

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, ensure the subject of the sentence is clearly linked to the action being described by "many a time". This ensures the sentence flows smoothly and the meaning is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "many a time" excessively in contemporary writing, as it can sound archaic or overly formal. Opt for more common alternatives like "often" or "frequently" to maintain a natural and approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many a time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate frequency. Ludwig examples show it describing how often an action occurs. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "many a time" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that something has happened frequently. As stated by Ludwig AI, it's a perfectly valid phrase. While generally acceptable, it tends to lend a slightly more formal or literary tone to writing. It is common in various contexts, especially within news, academic, and scientific publications. For a more modern or informal tone, consider alternatives like "often" or "frequently". Be mindful of overuse, as excessive use can make your writing sound dated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

often

Common adverb denoting that an action happens regularly or repeatedly.

on many occasions

Prepositional phrase indicating that something has happened more than once.

quite often

Implies that something happens regularly but not necessarily all the time.

frequently

Single word adverb that directly indicates that an action occurs often.

numerous times

Indicates that an action has happened a great number of times.

repeatedly

Adverb emphasizing the recurrence of an action.

in many instances

Similar to 'on many occasions', but more formal.

time and again

Idiomatic phrase suggesting that something occurs frequently, with a bit of emphasis.

again and again

Another way to express repetition, closely resembling "over and over".

over and over

Suggests a repetitive action, often to an excessive degree.

FAQs

How can I use "many a time" in a sentence?

Use "many a time" to indicate something has happened frequently. For example, "He has visited that museum "many a time"".

What's a more common way to say "many a time"?

Alternatives include "often", "frequently", or "repeatedly". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "many a time" grammatically correct?

Yes, "many a time" is grammatically correct, although it sounds somewhat formal or old-fashioned. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

What's the difference between "many times" and "many a time"?

"Many times" is a more straightforward and common way to express frequency. "Many a time" is slightly more literary and emphasizes each individual instance, but means the same.