once or twice

USAGE SUMMARY

'once or twice' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the number of times an event has occurred or an action has been taken. For example: "We've seen them perform at the theater once or twice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yeah, once or twice.

The New York Times

Once or twice.

The New York Times

Once or twice a year.

The New York Times

Maybe once or twice.

The New York Times

Pulse once or twice.

The New York Times - Health

Once or twice what?

The New York Times

I tried it once or twice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Roast, turning once or twice, until done.

The New York Times - Magazine

I appeared once or twice a year.

The New York Times

She fought once or twice a week.

The New Yorker

"Who Petit?" I muttered once or twice.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once or twice" when you want to indicate that something has happened a small number of times, without being precise. It's suitable for situations where the exact number is not important or not known.

Common error

While "once or twice" is perfectly acceptable, avoid relying on it too heavily. Vary your language with alternatives like "a couple of times" or "occasionally" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once or twice" functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency, modifying a verb to indicate how often an action occurs. It indicates a low frequency, implying something happens infrequently. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once or twice" serves as a versatile adverbial phrase denoting a small, indefinite quantity of occurrences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usability across various contexts. Predominantly featured in News & Media and Wiki sources, it adopts a neutral-to-informal register, making it suitable for everyday conversations and less formal writing. While alternatives like "a couple of times" or "occasionally" offer nuanced variations, the phrase effectively conveys the intended meaning of infrequent action. Remember to avoid overuse and tailor language to the specific context to maintain engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of times

Replaces "once or twice" with a more casual expression, implying a similar frequency.

a few times

Indicates a slightly larger, though still small, number of occurrences compared to "once or twice".

on a couple of occasions

A more formal alternative to "once or twice", suitable for professional contexts.

a time or two

An idiomatic variation of "once or twice", with a slightly folksy feel.

occasionally

Expresses that something happens sometimes, though not frequently, encompassing the meaning of "once or twice".

from time to time

Similar to "occasionally", but implies a more spread-out and irregular occurrence.

every now and then

Indicates an infrequent occurrence, comparable to "once or twice" but with a less specific timeframe.

now and again

Another idiomatic alternative suggesting infrequent happenings, similar in meaning to "every now and then".

a handful of times

Suggests a slightly larger number of occurrences than "once or twice", implying that the action happened more than just a few times.

in a few instances

A more formal way of saying "a few times", suitable for academic or business writing.

FAQs

How can I use "once or twice" in a sentence?

You can use "once or twice" to indicate that something has happened a small, indefinite number of times. For example, "Have you seen that movie before? Yes, "once or twice"."

What are some alternatives to saying "once or twice"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a couple of times", "a few times", or "occasionally", depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

Is it better to say "once or twice" or "one or two times"?

"Once or twice" is generally more common and idiomatic. "One or two times" is also correct but sounds slightly more formal or literal. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "once or twice"?

It's appropriate in informal conversation, general writing, or situations where providing an exact count isn't necessary. Avoid using it in contexts where precision is crucial, such as scientific reports or legal documents.