several a day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several a day" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a quantity of something that occurs multiple times within a single day, but it lacks clarity and specificity. Example: "I try to read several a day, but it can be challenging to find the time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It was at the start of a rush of funerals and memorial services that lasted until Christmas -- seven days a week, sometimes several a day, 24 on one Saturday -- all requiring the presence of the band.

The New York Times

Buses: several a day to Aberystwyth (75 minutes), plus services to other north Wales towns.

The Guardian - Money

Start with one act of evangelism a week and work your way up to several a day.

Harvard Business Review

Jamila Wilson, 17, said at the meeting that she had started smoking Black and Milds at 15 and now smoked several a day, inhaling.

The New York Times - Health

Coke Zero (of which I drink several a day, to the delight of my dentist), yogurt and various condiments, all of which are probably past their expiration date because, seriously, I'm not sure how you tell when mustard goes bad.

The Guardian

Stanley told the Guardian he gets several a day from the campaign, which ask volunteers to build organizations and ask people to speak on behalf of Trump at their caucus locations before balloting begins.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Their symptoms frequently change several times a day, and would need several points in a day to capture the changes.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Their symptoms frequently show "ultra-rapid" cycling, changing several times a day, and would need several points in a day to capture the changes.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Guides lead several rides a day for various skill levels.

The New York Times - Travel

In Zynga's fastest-growing days, the company was adding several people a day.

TechCrunch

Frequency can be several emails a day.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "several a day" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "several times a day" or "multiple times per day" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

The incorrect phrasing arises from a misunderstanding of how to properly construct adverbial phrases indicating frequency. Remember to include "times" or use an equivalent adverb to connect the quantity to the timeframe. For example, "several times a day" is correct, while "several a day" is not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several a day" functions as an adverbial phrase intended to modify a verb, indicating frequency. Although Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, its intended purpose is to specify how often an action occurs within a 24-hour period.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "several a day" appears in various sources, primarily news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is to indicate that something occurs multiple times within a day. It's advisable to use grammatically sound alternatives like "several times a day" or "multiple times per day" in formal writing to ensure clarity and precision. The phrase's occurrence is considered uncommon, and its use should be approached with caution in professional contexts to avoid misinterpretations or appearing unpolished. Despite its presence in news sources, its technical inaccuracy makes it a less desirable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Multiple times a day

Uses a more formal and explicit quantifier ("multiple") instead of "several".

Several times per day

Replaces "a" with "per" which is grammatically correct and implies distribution.

A few times daily

Substitutes "several" with "a few" to indicate a smaller quantity and use "daily" as the adverb.

Repeatedly each day

Emphasizes the repetition with "repeatedly" and clarifies the timeframe with "each day".

Numerous times daily

Replaces "several" with "numerous" which indicates a higher, less precise number.

On several occasions each day

More formal and emphasizes specific instances within the day.

A number of times a day

Uses "a number of times" for a less specific quantity.

Frequently during the day

Focuses on the high frequency throughout the entire day.

At various points in the day

Highlights the variability of the timing within the day.

More than once a day

Indicates a minimum frequency of twice, without specifying an exact quantity.

FAQs

Is "several a day" grammatically correct?

No, "several a day" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing would be "several times a day". Alternatives include "multiple times a day" or "several times per day".

What does "several a day" mean?

While grammatically incorrect, "several a day" is generally understood to mean that something occurs multiple times during a single day. More accurate alternatives are "a few times daily" or "repeatedly each day".

How can I use "several times a day" in a sentence?

You can use "several times a day" to indicate the frequency of an event. For example: "I check my email several times a day." or "The doctor recommended taking the medication several times a day."

What's the difference between "several a day" and "several times a day"?

The phrase "several a day" is grammatically incorrect, whereas "several times a day" is the correct and standard way to express that something happens multiple times within a day. Use "several times a day" to ensure your writing is clear and grammatically sound.