Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jflooking]

Are these interchangeable? I think so, but on of our texbooks says you must use "twice", not "two times".
I thought - "once" is the best option
"twice" and "two times" are both ok
"thrice" is ok but not used anymore?
Am I correct?

[MrPedantic]

Hello jfl

You hear both "twice" and "two times" among British English speakers; the former is much more common than the latter. Often, though, "two times" is used for emphasis:

1. I've had to do that twice, now. ] ordinary usage, mostly.
2. I've had to do that two times now.] emphatic usage, often.

"Thrice" is mostly used humorously:

3. Nay, nay, thrice nay! ("no, no, for the third time � no!")

The humour is a little tired now.

MrP

[Jintii]

Same for U.S. English.

We say both twice and two times. I think twice is more common, but it would not sound strange to say two times.

We never say thrice in ordinary conversation. You might read that word in an old book, but you will never hear it in a casual conversation on the street. We say three times.