two times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two times" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a quantity that is twice the amount of something else. For example, "I have to take this medicine two times a day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"One or two times.

The New York Times

Two times four is eight.

The New York Times

Two times — yes, that's surprising.

The New Yorker

I wilt, two times.

The Guardian - Music

Flash, two times.

The Guardian - Music

Why two times?

The Guardian

Blanch two times more.

The New York Times - Food

More than two times".

The Guardian

MC Daleste was shot two times.

Independent

It's like having cake two times".

The New Yorker

I fell two times, my knee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "two times" to clearly express the exact number of repetitions or a quantity that is doubled. For conciseness, consider using "twice" when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "two times" when a more specific or descriptive phrase is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "the risk increased two times", consider a more descriptive phrase like "the risk doubled" or "the risk increased by 100%".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two times" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase or multiplier. It modifies verbs to specify the frequency of an action or quantifies something as being doubled. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "two times" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote frequency or multiplication. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for expressing that something occurs twice or is doubled. While versatile, consider using the more concise alternative "twice" where appropriate, particularly in more formal settings. As shown by the examples, the phrase appears most often in "News & Media", "Science" and "Wiki" contexts. When precision and clarity are paramount, "two times" serves as a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twice

A more concise and common synonym, indicating the action or quantity is doubled.

doubly

Emphasizes the doubled nature or intensity of something.

on two occasions

Highlights that something occurred in separate instances.

a couple of times

Suggests a similar meaning but implies approximation instead of an exact count.

double the amount

Focuses on the multiplied quantity rather than the repetition of an action.

on a pair of occasions

Similar to "on two occasions" but uses a more formal tone.

multiply by two

Mathematically precise way to describe the doubling operation.

repeatedly

Broader term that implies more than two repetitions but retains the sense of recurrence.

twofold

Highlights the dual nature or aspects of a situation.

in duplicate

Indicates having an exact copy or recurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "two times" in a sentence?

You can use "two times" to indicate frequency or multiplication. For example, "I visit my parents two times a year" or "Two times five equals ten".

What's a simpler way to say "two times"?

A simpler and often preferred alternative is "twice". For instance, instead of "I've seen that movie two times", you can say "I've seen that movie twice".

Is it ever wrong to use "two times"?

While grammatically correct, "two times" can sometimes sound less elegant than alternatives like "twice". Choose the phrasing that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "two times" and "a couple of times"?

"Two times" indicates an exact count of two, while "a couple of times" implies an approximate number, usually meaning two but possibly a few more.