“Many a times” is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is “many a time,” without the S. It’s an old-fashioned but still-used way of saying “often” or “on many occasions,” and the singular “time” is exactly what the grammar of the phrase requires — adding an S is the single most common mistake people make with it.
The Short Answer
Use “many a time,” never “many a times.” The construction “many a + singular noun” is a fixed, old-fashioned pattern in English, and “time” always stays singular inside it. You’ll see the wrong version everywhere online — in comments, captions, even published articles — but it’s still wrong in standard English.
| Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|
| Many a time, I’ve wondered why. | Many a times, I’ve wondered why. |
| He has failed many a time. | He has failed many a times. |
| Many a time we stayed up late. | Many a times we stayed up late. |
Why People Get It Wrong
The mistake makes sense once you think about it. “Many” almost always pairs with plural nouns — many books, many people, many days — so it feels natural to add an S to “time” too. But “many a time” doesn’t follow the usual “many + plural” rule. It’s a leftover from older English grammar, where “a” here works more like “each” or “every,” and the noun after it stays singular no matter how many times the event happened.
Think of it as similar to “many a man has tried and failed.” You wouldn’t say “many a mans” — the same logic applies to “many a time.”
The Pattern Behind It
This “many a + singular noun” structure shows up in a small, fixed set of phrases:
- many a time
- many a day
- many a man
- many a night
- many a tale
In every case, the noun stays singular. That’s the rule to memorize, and it covers the “time” question automatically.
What “Many a Time” Means
“Many a time” means “often” or “on numerous occasions.” It’s a formal, slightly literary way of expressing frequency, and it usually shows up at the start or end of a sentence for emphasis.
Examples in a Sentence
- Many a time, I’ve regretted not speaking up sooner.
- She sat by that window many a time, waiting for news.
- Many a time have I told him to be careful.
- We laughed about it many a time over the years.
Notice how it can open a sentence (“Many a time, I’ve…”) or close one (“…over the years”). Both placements are correct.
A Note on Tone
“Many a time” leans formal and a bit poetic. In casual conversation or everyday writing, “often,” “frequently,” or “many times” (plural, no “a”) will usually sound more natural. Save “many a time” for writing where a slightly elevated tone fits — essays, storytelling, reflective posts.
Key Takeaways
- “Many a time” is correct; “many a times” is not.
- The phrase follows the “many a + singular noun” pattern, same as “many a man” or “many a day.”
- It means “often” or “on many occasions” and has a formal, literary tone.
- In everyday writing, “many times” or “often” often reads more naturally.
- If you’re unsure, drop “a” and use the plain plural: “many times” — it’s always safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “many a times” ever correct?
No. “Many a times” is a grammatical error in standard English. The correct form is always “many a time,” with a singular noun.
Why is “time” singular after “many a”?
Because “many a” is a fixed idiom where “a” functions like “each” or “every,” and singular nouns follow “each” and “every” in English. The same rule applies to phrases like “many a day” and “many a man.”
What does “many a time” mean?
It means “often” or “on numerous occasions.” It’s an emphatic, somewhat old-fashioned way of describing something that happened repeatedly.
Can I just say “many times” instead?
Yes. “Many times” is grammatically simpler, plural, and fits casual and formal writing alike. “Many a time” is a stylistic choice for a more literary tone, not a requirement.
Is “many a time” formal or informal?
It’s formal and slightly old-fashioned. You’ll see it in literature, speeches, and reflective writing more than in everyday conversation or texting.
Once you know the pattern — “many a” plus a singular noun — you’ll never second-guess “many a time” again. Keep an eye out for it next time you’re editing your own writing, and browse the rest of the site for more commonly confused word pairs worth getting right.
