three to five times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "three to five times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a range of frequency or quantity, often in contexts such as instructions, recommendations, or descriptions of occurrences. Example: "You should water the plants three to five times a week to ensure they stay healthy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Repeat three to five times.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now, I exercise three to five times a week.

The New York Times

Wall Street could pay three to five times as much.

The New York Times

This probably happens three to five times a year.

The New York Times

(It can be applied three to five times a week).

The New York Times

"This year, it's three to five times a month".

The New York Times

BMC was three to five times lower with adult than with infant software.

Journal of Clinical Densitometry

Digging for sapphires is three to five times as profitable as farming.

The New Yorker

A Three to five times a year, for business and pleasure.

The New York Times

Our murder rate is three to five times that of most other industrialized countries.

The New York Times

Still, despite Nome's isolation, she is able to travel three to five times a year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions or recommendations, use "three to five times" to indicate a flexible range, allowing for individual adjustments based on specific needs or conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "three to five times" excessively in highly formal documents. While acceptable, consider more precise language or a broader term like "several times" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "three to five times" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the frequency or number of repetitions of an action or event, offering a range rather than a precise count. As Ludwig AI shows, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

38%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "three to five times" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a range of frequency or quantity. As shown by Ludwig, it finds application across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. The phrase is particularly useful when providing flexible guidelines or estimates. While versatile, it is important to consider the level of formality required by the context and adjust accordingly, possibly opting for more precise language in certain formal documents. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

3-5 times

Uses numerical representation, offering a more concise format.

Between three and five times

Adds a more formal tone by explicitly stating the range.

Three to five instances

Substitutes "times" with "instances", focusing on specific occurrences.

In three to five occurrences

Rephrases to highlight the existence of multiple events within a limited scope.

A few times

Generalizes the frequency, indicating it happens more than twice but not many.

Three to five separate occasions

Highlights the distinct nature of each event included in the frequency.

Several times

Indicates a similar range of frequency but doesn't specify the exact number.

On multiple occasions

Replaces the numerical aspect with a general statement of recurrence.

Repeatedly

Emphasizes the action's recurrence without specifying the number of times.

A handful of times

Uses a more informal, figurative expression to indicate frequency.

FAQs

How can I use "three to five times" in a sentence?

You can use "three to five times" to indicate a frequency or repetition of an action. For example, "You should water the plants "three to five times" a week" or "The experiment was repeated "three to five times" to ensure accuracy."

What are some alternatives to saying "three to five times"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a few times", "several times", or "on multiple occasions".

Is it better to say "between three and five times" or "three to five times"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. "Between three and five times" is slightly more formal, while ""three to five times"" is more common in everyday language.

When should I use "three to five times" instead of a more precise number?

Use ""three to five times"" when the exact number is not critical or when you want to provide a flexible guideline rather than a strict requirement. It allows for slight variations based on individual needs or circumstances.