many times before

USAGE SUMMARY

"many times before" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation that has occurred multiple times in the past. For example: "I have asked him the same question many times before, but he never gives me a straight answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We've heard that many times before, too.

BBC

We've seen all these names many times before," he says.

BBC

Many times before.

The New York Times

It's happened many times before.

The New York Times

Many, many times before.

The Guardian - Business

It's happened so many times before.

The New York Times

I have been here many times before.

The New York Times - Books

She had done this many times before.

The New York Times

He had seen this many times before.

The New Yorker

They've done it many times before.

The New York Times

He had been there many times before.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "many times before" to indicate that an event or situation has occurred repeatedly in the past, providing context or explaining a current perspective based on prior experience. Ensure the phrase accurately reflects the frequency and relevance of the past occurrences to the present situation.

Common error

Avoid using "many times before" repeatedly within a short span of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "repeatedly", "frequently", or "on several occasions" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many times before" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency and timing of a past action or event. Ludwig shows that it often provides context based on prior experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "many times before" is a common adverbial phrase used to indicate that something has occurred repeatedly in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, it's important to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the frequency and relevance of the past occurrences. While useful, overuse can be avoided by using synonyms. For more formal situations, alternatives like "on numerous prior occasions" may be more appropriate. Remember that "many times before" implies a higher frequency compared to "several times before".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several times previously

This option is a direct synonym, with 'previously' highlighting that the events occurred at an earlier time.

on multiple occasions

This version is a general alternative that works in most contexts.

several instances in the past

A simple and clear way to express the same idea.

repeatedly in the past

This alternative emphasizes the repetitive nature of the action, adding clarity.

in repeated instances

This option focuses on the instance of repetition.

in many past experiences

This phrase highlights the experiential aspect of the repetition.

time and time again

This idiom emphasizes the continuous recurrence of an event.

on numerous prior occasions

This phrase is more formal, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

over and over

This informal phrase stresses the repetitiveness, suitable for casual conversation.

frequently in earlier instances

This is a longer and more descriptive alternative, fitting in situations where a detailed account is necessary.

FAQs

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

You can use "many times before" to indicate that something has happened repeatedly in the past. For example: "I have seen this error "many times before", so I know how to fix it."

What's a more formal alternative to "many times before"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "on numerous prior occasions" or "repeatedly in the past" instead of "many times before".

How is "many times before" different from "several times before"?

"Many times before" implies a greater frequency than "several times before". While both indicate repetition, "many times" suggests a higher number of occurrences.

Is it correct to say "many time before" instead of "many times before"?

No, "many time before" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "many times before", as "times" is a countable noun and requires the plural form in this context.