many time before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "many time before" is grammatically correct and is often used in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something has happened numerous times in the past. It can also convey a sense of familiarity or repetition. Example: Sarah had tried to quit smoking many times before, but she always ended up giving in to her cravings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Top Gear can change direction – it has changed presenters many time before – but it is careless to have all three presenters come to the end of their contracts at the same time.

The Guardian

John, a man with schizophrenia in his 40s, who had been a client of mental health services for most of his adult life and had been subject to a CTO many time before, described his perceptions of being in hospital and on a CTO in great detail, as 'for my own good'.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I've seen this so many times before," he said.

The New York Times

We've heard that many times before, too.

BBC

"We've done this so many times before," she said.

Huffington Post

As I've said many times before, question authority.

Huffington Post

Many times before.

The New York Times

Many, many times before.

The Guardian - Business

They've done it many times before.

The New York Times

He had been there many times before.

The New Yorker

It's happened so many times before.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "many time before" to emphasize that something has happened repeatedly, adding a sense of familiarity or expectation to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "many time before" with future tense verbs. It refers to past occurrences, so stick to past simple, past perfect, or present perfect tenses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many time before" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the frequency of a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and use in various contexts. It modifies a verb to specify how often something occurred previously.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "many time before" is a grammatically acceptable, though slightly less polished, way to indicate that something has happened repeatedly in the past. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "many times before" or "on numerous occasions" might be preferred in more formal settings, "many time before" effectively conveys the intended meaning in neutral contexts. Remember to use it with past tense verbs to accurately reflect its meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not the first time this has occurred

Highlights that the current event is part of a series of similar events, adding a sense of inevitability or recurrence.

repeatedly occurred in the past

This alternative explicitly states the repeated nature and the temporal aspect of the occurrences.

previously experienced many times

Focuses on the experiential aspect, suggesting that someone has gone through the event repeatedly.

frequently happened before

Replaces the original phrase with a more descriptive adverb and verb construction, emphasizing the frequency and prior occurrence.

happened on multiple occasions

Uses a more formal tone to indicate that the event has occurred several times.

numerous previous instances

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the idea of multiple past occurrences, suitable for a more academic or professional context.

has a history of happening

Emphasizes a pattern or established precedent of the event taking place.

often seen before

Shifts the focus to observation or experience of the event, suggesting familiarity.

a familiar occurrence

Indicates that the event is well-known or expected due to its frequent repetition.

a recurring event

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the cyclical or repetitive nature of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "many time before" to indicate that something has occurred repeatedly in the past, for example: "She had visited Paris "many time before", so she knew the city well."

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "on numerous occasions" or "repeatedly in the past".

Is it grammatically correct to say "many time before"?

Yes, "many time before" is grammatically correct and understandable, although it might sound slightly less polished than alternatives like "many times before".

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

While both phrases convey the idea of repetition, "many times before" is generally considered more standard and grammatically polished. "Many time before" is acceptable but less common.