How often...? ou How many times...?

'How often...?' or 'How many times...?' These two very common questions

have very close meanings, but with important nuances. 

Both expressions have links with TIME, and especially frequency...

Most often, you don't know the first question - or very little -  and not really well...

and tend to use the second expression quite systematically, without trying to

understand much more...

1) HOW OFTEN..? (How frequently...?) doesn't immediately come to your

mind. It's an adverb of frequency which asks questions about the number of

times an action is done in a given period; 

- How often do you go to the swimming pool? 

- How often should I go to the hairdresser's? 

Let's notice that behind this expression, every auxiliary can be used: 

 (here, do and should)

* How can we answer this question? First with an adverb of de frequency. 

- always/ (very) often/ occasionally/ usually/ hardly ever (  .)/ never.

* Or, using the same construction: EVERY + nominal group.

 - every+ noun: minute/ day/ week/ month/ year/ decade/ century...

- every other day/ every other weekend: every two days/ every three weekends=>every five years...

-- once a day;  twice a week. 

Then, the expression of frequency is 'regular': three times a month/ four times a term / six times a year....

2) HOW MANY TIMES...(How many times...? ) Here, the expression is enquiring about the number

of times an action is done within a precise period. 

This question is answered, using a number. 

 Please, notice that MANY must be used because the noun which is following (a time) is a countable plural. 

- How many times have you attended a concert of your favourite group? 5 times! I love them...

- How many times did you play tennis with my sisters? Four times only, and they play well!  

As you can see, it's not complicated at all...

Think a little before choosing one form or the other, and everything will be perfect!

Go for the test, now! 

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1. How many years did you spendHow often did you stayHow often have you spentI don't know in Canada before leaving for the US?



2. 'How often have you washedHow many times did you washHow often you washedI don't know up this week?' 'Three times only. I had an arrangement with Tim, and I will do it next week.'



3. 'How often have you goneHow many times did you wentHow often did you goI don't know horse riding last month?' 'Once only. I’m just a beginner.'



4. ' How many timesHow oftenHow much timeI don't know does he brush his teeth every day?' 'Twice, but his dentist says he should brush them 3 times, one after each meal.'



5. ' How often shall I have toHow often should I toHow many times will I haveI don't know tell you to tidy up your room?' 'None, Mum, I’m doing it now. '



6. 'How often times did you cookHow often a week do you cookHow many times are you cookingI don't know fish?' ' I usually cook fish only once a week, but I'll try to cook it twice from next week.'



7. ' How often times have you wateredHow many times did you waterHow many times have you wateredI don't know my plants in the month I was away?' ' Four times… I went every week on Fridays.'



8. ' How muchHow many timesHow oftenI don't know must you have that vaccine?' 'Several times?'



9. ' How many times will you changeHow many time must you changeHow often should you changeI don't know your passport?' 'I don't know, really, I'll have to check...'



10. 'How How often a weekHow many time a weekHow much time per weekI don't know do you practise Lacrosse? ''We have four sessions a week...'