zero times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "zero times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not occurred at all or to emphasize the absence of an event or action. Example: "I have called him zero times this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Patients in the index group had a diagnosis of sepsis more often (four times) than patients in the reference group (zero times).

Critical Care

Do say: "It doesn't even make mathematical sense – zero times zero times zero is still zero.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Although zero times infinity is... damn...) Thank you, Kevin McLanahan.

The Guardian - Sport

If you do it zero times, you have anarchy".

The New York Times

In a note, the slide also says that some of these zero times are valid.

The Guardian

Mr. Perahia said the bridge, which connects the island to Queens, opens an average of "zero" times annually.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Ten times?" "Ten times is enough.

The New Yorker

Three, four, five times.

The New York Times - Tech

"One or two times.

The New York Times

Two times four is eight.

The New York Times

We flipped eight times.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "zero times" to clearly and concisely state the non-occurrence of an event or action, especially when quantifying or comparing frequencies. For example, "He visited the museum zero times this year".

Common error

Avoid using "zero times" when a qualitative absence is more appropriate. Instead of saying "The recipe calls for zero times sugar", use "The recipe calls for no sugar".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "zero times" functions as an adverbial phrase that quantifies the absence of an event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression, serving to indicate that something has not occurred at all.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "zero times" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to denote the complete absence of an event or action. As Ludwig AI validates, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific writing. While alternatives like "never" or "not once" exist, "zero times" offers a specific quantification of absence. When writing, it's crucial to ensure that "zero times" is used appropriately, avoiding instances where a qualitative absence is more suitable. With its frequent appearance in authoritative sources and everyday language, "zero times" remains a valuable tool for clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no times

A more concise and direct way of expressing zero occurrence, maintaining a similar meaning.

not once

Emphasizes a complete lack of occurrence; more emphatic than "zero times".

not a single time

Highlights the absence of even one instance; more emphatic.

not even once

It strongly emphasize that something didn't happen even in one opportunity.

never

Indicates absence of occurrence at any time; broader than "zero times".

on no occasion

Formal way to express absence of occurrence; more formal.

without any instance

Highlights the lack of any instance or example, maintaining the same meaning.

not in any instance

Indicates that a specific event has never happened.

absolutely no time

It emphasises complete absence of time, rather than counts of time.

in no case

It is used when something is not correct in any situation.

FAQs

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

Use "zero times" to indicate that something has not occurred at all. For example, "I've seen that movie "zero times"" means you haven't seen it at all.

What can I say instead of "zero times"?

You can use alternatives like "not once", "never", or "not a single time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "zero times"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something has not happened at all. It's particularly useful when you want to emphasize the absence of an event.

When is it better to use "never" instead of "zero times"?

"Never" is a more general term indicating absence at any point in time, while "zero times" is used to specify non-occurrence within a defined period or context. For instance, "I have "never" been to Europe" versus "I visited Europe "zero times" this year".