umpteenth time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "umpteenth time" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used as a colloquial or informal way to emphasize that something has happened repeatedly or an unspecified number of times. Example: "I told you for the umpteenth time, please clean your room before your friends come over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For the umpteenth time.

The Guardian - Sport

But by the umpteenth time, you've got muscle memory.

The New York Times

Last week BFI Southbank ran it for the umpteenth time.

The Guardian - Film

She studies the Pine River Web site for the umpteenth time.

The New York Times

For the umpteenth time in his fledgling career, Neymar insists the speculation is premature.

The New York Times - Sports

For the umpteenth time he promised to announce economic measures to alleviate the crisis.

The Economist

In July, for the umpteenth time, the state Parliament passed up an opportunity to do so.

The Economist

Here, for the umpteenth time, is the tale of a nerd who wants to get laid.

The New Yorker

In vaudeville acts being given for the umpteenth time, what's real and what's fake?

The New York Times - Arts

Their union was tested for the umpteenth time in May, when he was denied parole.

The New York Times

It's just after 7 30 p.m. when Cosell checks his watch for the umpteenth time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "umpteenth time" to express mild frustration or exasperation when something has happened repeatedly. It adds a touch of informality and emphasis to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "umpteenth time" too frequently in a single piece of writing. While it's a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "umpteenth time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency of an action. It expresses that something has occurred many times, often with a sense of exaggeration or annoyance, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "umpteenth time" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize that something has happened repeatedly. As confirmed by Ludwig, it often carries a tone of mild frustration. While it's widely used in informal contexts like news articles and casual conversations, it's best to opt for more formal alternatives such as "numerous times" or "repeatedly" in professional or academic settings. Remember to avoid overusing "umpteenth time" to maintain the impact of your writing. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can effectively incorporate "umpteenth time" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous times

Focuses on the quantity of occurrences without implying annoyance or exaggeration.

countless times

Emphasizes the inability to count the number of occurrences, suggesting a very high frequency.

time and time again

A more emphatic way of saying repeatedly, highlighting persistence.

over and over

A simple and direct way to express repetition.

repeatedly

A formal and straightforward way to indicate that something happens more than once.

again and again

Similar to "over and over", but can imply a slightly longer duration or interval between repetitions.

on several occasions

A more formal way to suggest that something has happened more than a few times.

any number of times

Highlights the possibility that the event has occurred frequently, even if the exact count is unknown.

endlessly

Suggests that something continues to happen without stopping, which is not always the case with "umpteenth time".

in numerous instances

Implies a number of specific cases where something has occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "umpteenth time" in a sentence?

You can use "umpteenth time" to express that something has happened many times. For example, "For the "umpteenth time", please remember to lock the door when you leave."

What's a less informal way to say "umpteenth time"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "numerous times", "on many occasions", or "repeatedly".

Is it correct to use "umpteenth time" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "umpteenth time" is generally considered informal. It's best suited for casual conversation, personal writing, or situations where a less formal tone is appropriate. For professional or academic writing, choose a more formal alternative.

What does "umpteenth" actually mean?

"Umpteenth" is an informal term used to denote an unspecified but large number in a sequence. It suggests that something has occurred many times, typically more than expected or desired.