several times before

USAGE SUMMARY

"several times before" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a recurring event or occurrence. For example: "I had been to this restaurant several times before, so I knew what to expect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've personally been in this scenario several times before, when it's gone the opposite way.

Huffington Post

He chopped several times before he severed the head.

The New York Times - Magazine

Insecurity had delayed proceedings several times before.

The Economist

We have been here several times before.

Independent

We've had this debate several times before.

The New York Times

This has all happened several times before.

The New York Times

Such accommodations have been made several times before.

The Economist

It bounced several times before going into the open goal.

The New York Times

Similar promises have been broken several times before.

The Economist

A particular wave may break several times before reaching shore.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Holehouse watched her rehearse several times before giving approval.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "several times before" to clearly indicate that an event or situation has occurred more than once in the past, adding context and history to your statement. For example: "I had used this software several times before, so I was familiar with its interface."

Common error

Avoid using "several times before" with future tenses. It describes past occurrences, so ensure the rest of your sentence reflects this past context. For example, it's incorrect to say "I will go there several times before," as it mixes a future intention with a reference to past experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several times before" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency and timing of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

18%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "several times before" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that adds valuable context to writing by indicating a recurring past event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as scientific sources, the phrase serves to provide background information, establishing familiarity or prior experience. Alternatives like "on multiple prior occasions" or "repeatedly in the past" can offer different nuances, but the core meaning remains consistent. When using "several times before", ensure correct tense usage and be mindful of the intended level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a number of times previously

Similar in meaning but uses "a number of times" for a slightly different nuance.

on numerous occasions before this

More emphatic, suggesting many past instances leading up to the present.

on multiple prior occasions

More formal alternative, emphasizing the repeated nature and past occurrences.

many times in the past

A very general and common way to indicate frequent past occurrences.

on several previous instances

Formal and emphasizes specific events in the past.

repeatedly in the past

Focuses on the repetition and the time frame being in the past.

various times in the past

Suggests different and unspecified times in the past.

in several prior cases

Highlights the existence of similar cases in the past.

more than once before

Simpler alternative, highlighting that it happened more than a single time.

a few times earlier

Less formal, indicating a smaller number of occurrences.

FAQs

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

Use "several times before" to indicate a recurring event or prior experience. For instance: "I've visited that museum "several times before", so I know the best exhibits to see."

What are some alternatives to saying "several times before"?

You can use phrases like "on multiple prior occasions", "repeatedly in the past", or "a number of times previously" to express a similar meaning.

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

No, it is not correct. The phrase requires the plural form, "times", to indicate multiple instances. "Several time before" is grammatically incorrect.

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

"A few times before" implies a smaller number of occurrences, while ""several times before"" suggests a more significant number of repeated events. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.