Explanation at your level:
You use several times when you do something more than once. For example, if you eat lunch at the same place three times, you can say, 'I ate there several times.' It is easy to use and very helpful for telling people about your life.
When you want to say that something happened on different days or occasions, use several times. It is more than 'once' or 'twice.' You can say, 'I have watched this movie several times because I like it.'
Several times is a useful way to describe frequency without being specific. It is common in daily conversation. Use it when you want to show that an action is recurring, such as 'I have checked the email several times today to see if there is a reply.'
At this level, you can use several times to add nuance to your narratives. It is often used to emphasize repetition, especially when the speaker is slightly annoyed, such as: 'I have warned him several times about being late.' It is a standard, professional, and clear way to express frequency.
In advanced writing, several times serves as a bridge between vague quantifiers and specific data. It is frequently found in academic and journalistic writing to summarize trends or observations. For instance: 'The theory has been challenged several times in the literature,' which implies a sustained academic debate.
Mastering this phrase involves understanding its role in rhythm and emphasis. In literary contexts, it can be used to build a sense of weariness or persistence, as in: 'He had walked the path several times, yet each time the shadows seemed to shift.' It is a subtle tool for pacing and establishing the history of a character or event.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used for frequency
- Means more than once
- Very common
- Neutral register
The phrase several times is a go-to expression in English when you want to mention that something has happened more than once. It is a very flexible term that fits into almost any conversation, whether you are talking to a friend or writing a report.
When you use several times, you are telling the listener that the frequency is significant enough to be mentioned, but it isn't necessarily a huge amount. It sits comfortably between 'a couple of times' and 'many times'. It is a neutral, reliable way to quantify experiences without needing to be exact.
The word several comes from the Old French several, which meant 'separate' or 'different'. It traces back to the Latin separalis, meaning 'to separate'. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'distinct' or 'individual' to 'a small number of'.
The word times is of Germanic origin, related to the Old English tīma. Combining these two creates a phrase that reflects the passage of time and the accumulation of events. It has been a staple of the English language for centuries, evolving from a legalistic term about separation into our common modern way of counting occurrences.
You will hear several times used most often with verbs related to experience or observation, such as 'have seen,' 'have heard,' or 'have visited.' It is highly versatile and works in both casual and formal registers.
Common collocations include phrases like 'I've told you several times' (often used when frustrated) or 'It has been tested several times' (common in scientific or professional contexts). It is less precise than saying 'three times' or 'four times,' making it perfect when the exact count isn't the most important part of your story.
While several times is a standard phrase, it appears in many common idiomatic structures. 1. Many times over: Used to emphasize a huge amount. 2. Time and again: Meaning repeatedly. 3. At various times: Meaning at different moments. 4. Several times a day: A common frequency marker. 5. For the umpteenth time: Used when you have said something so many times you have lost count.
In terms of grammar, several times functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency. It usually follows the main verb or appears at the end of a clause. In American English, the 'v' is pronounced clearly, while in British English, the 'r' may be dropped depending on the dialect.
Rhyming words include chimes, limes, and crimes. The stress is typically on the first syllable of 'several' (SEV-er-al). It is a fixed phrase; you cannot say 'several time'—the plural 's' is mandatory because you are referring to multiple distinct instances.
Fun Fact
It originally meant 'individual' before it meant 'a small number'.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'v' is soft, and the 'er' is often elided.
Clearer articulation of the 'er' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'several' as 'sev-ral' (too fast)
- Misplacing stress on the second syllable
- Adding an extra sound between several and times
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Frequency Adverbs
I always go.
Pluralization
times
Present Perfect
I have been.
Examples by Level
I visited the park several times.
I / visited / the park / several times
Adverbial phrase of frequency
She called me several times.
She / called / me / several times
Past tense usage
We ate pizza several times.
We / ate / pizza / several times
Simple past
He read the book several times.
He / read / the book / several times
Past tense of read
They played here several times.
They / played / here / several times
Adverb placement
I saw him several times.
I / saw / him / several times
Irregular verb
It rained several times today.
It / rained / several times / today
Time expression
She practiced several times.
She / practiced / several times
Verb usage
I have been to London several times.
He has tried to call several times.
We met several times last month.
She has changed her mind several times.
They have asked several times.
I have read this several times.
It happened several times yesterday.
We visited the museum several times.
The issue has been reported several times.
I have told you several times to be careful.
She has performed the song several times.
They have discussed the plan several times.
I have seen this movie several times.
He has failed the test several times.
We have moved houses several times.
The system has crashed several times.
The document was reviewed several times before submission.
I've had to explain this concept several times.
The team has met several times to finalize the strategy.
She has expressed her concerns several times.
The experiment was repeated several times to ensure accuracy.
He has been warned several times about his conduct.
They have debated the topic several times.
I have reconsidered my decision several times.
The hypothesis has been tested several times under varying conditions.
Despite having visited the site several times, he still found new details.
The policy has been amended several times to reflect current needs.
She has articulated her vision several times throughout the campaign.
The phenomenon has been documented several times in recent studies.
They have negotiated the terms several times without success.
The artist has revisited this theme several times in his work.
The process has been optimized several times for efficiency.
The narrative, retold several times, had become a local legend.
Having failed several times, he finally understood the complexity of the task.
The law has been challenged several times in the highest courts.
She had walked that corridor several times, yet it felt alien.
The argument, though raised several times, was consistently ignored.
He had checked the locks several times before retiring for the night.
The melody, heard several times, was now etched in his mind.
The structure has been reinforced several times against the elements.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"time after time"
repeatedly
He makes the same mistake time after time.
neutral"many times over"
a lot more than necessary
I have thanked him many times over.
casual"time and again"
frequently
Time and again, she proved them wrong.
neutral"several times a day"
very frequently
I check my email several times a day.
neutral"umpteenth time"
too many times to count
I'm telling you for the umpteenth time!
casual"at various times"
on different occasions
The store is closed at various times.
formalEasily Confused
both imply a small number
few is a quantifier for nouns, several times is an adverbial phrase
Few people came vs. I called several times.
both imply repetition
many is a larger amount
I called many times (a lot) vs. several times (a few).
both refer to frequency
often is a single adverb
I often go there vs. I have gone there several times.
both are vague quantifiers
some is for nouns
I ate some apples vs. I ate several times.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + verb + several times
He arrived several times late.
Several times + subject + verb
Several times I have tried to call.
Subject + has + verb(pp) + several times
She has visited several times.
It + verb + several times
It happened several times.
Verb + several times + per + time period
I exercise several times per week.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Several always requires a plural noun.
Do not use 'of' after several.
Use 'a' for frequency.
The object should come before the frequency phrase.
Several is already a quantifier; do not add 'very'.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a counter clicking up 3-4 times.
Native Usage
Use it when you want to be vague but clear.
Cultural Insight
It helps avoid being too precise, which is polite.
Grammar Shortcut
Always keep 'times' plural.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'sev' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Never use 'a' before several.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin for 'separate'.
Study Smart
Practice with your own daily habits.
Register
It is very common in emails.
Placement
It usually goes at the end of the sentence.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Seven is a number; several times is like having a few sevens.
Visual Association
Imagine a clock ticking several times.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about things you do several times a week.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: separate
Cultural Context
None.
Used in daily life to avoid being overly specific.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Work
- I have emailed several times
- The report was checked several times
Travel
- I have been to Paris several times
School
- I have read the chapter several times
Daily Life
- I have called you several times
Conversation Starters
"How many times have you been to the beach?"
"Have you ever seen this movie several times?"
"Do you check your phone several times a day?"
"Have you told your friends about this several times?"
"How many times have you moved house?"
Journal Prompts
List three things you have done several times this week.
Write about a place you have visited several times.
Describe a mistake you made several times.
What is a song you have listened to several times?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is neutral and fits everywhere.
Usually three or more, but not many.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable.
No, it implies a smaller amount than 'many'.
Yes, 'times' is plural.
No, that is incorrect grammar.
It is used in both.
Yes, 'I will call you several times'.
Test Yourself
I have been here ___ times.
Several is the correct quantifier.
Which means 'more than once'?
Several times implies repetition.
Can you say 'several time'?
Times must be plural.
Word
Meaning
They share a similar meaning.
Subject + verb + object + frequency.
Score: /5
Summary
Several times is the perfect way to describe something that happened more than once without needing to be exact.
- Used for frequency
- Means more than once
- Very common
- Neutral register
Memory Palace
Visualize a counter clicking up 3-4 times.
Native Usage
Use it when you want to be vague but clear.
Cultural Insight
It helps avoid being too precise, which is polite.
Grammar Shortcut
Always keep 'times' plural.
Example
من چندین بار به او زنگ زدم ولی جواب نداد.
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
More numbers words
اعشار
B1Decimal, decimal point.
اعشاری
B1Decimal, pertaining to decimals.
عددنویسی
B1Numeration; the process of assigning or expressing numbers.
عددی
B1Numerical, pertaining to numbers.
عدم دقت
B1Inaccuracy or imprecision; the state of being inexact.
عرضی
B1Width-wise or transverse; pertaining to width.
اضافه
B1Addition, excess, surplus.
افزایش یافتن
B1To increase (intransitive); to grow in size or amount.
افزایشی
B1Increasing, incremental, growing.
آمار
B1Statistics, census, data.
