Cool MateMultiply vs Times
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Multiply
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Times
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Multiply | Times | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmʌltɪplaɪ/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪz/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪd/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmʌltɪplaɪ/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪz/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪd/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //taɪmz//🇺🇸 //taɪmz// |
| Meaning | To increase a number by another number. | periods or occasions in history or life |
| Example | To find the area of a rectangle, you need to multiply its length by its width. | In ancient times, people relied on the sun to tell time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | endlessly, indefinitely, greatly, by, endlessly, indefinitely, greatly, by, endlessly, indefinitely, greatly, by | good times, hard times, at times, ancient times, modern times |
| Antonyms | divide | inactivity, stillness |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'multiply' with 'add' or 'subtract'., Incorrectly using 'multiply by' when it should be 'multiply with'., Omitting the number when stating the multiplication. | Confused with 'time' - 'times' refers to multiple instances., Using 'time' when referring to various occasions., Omitting 'the' before 'times' in some contexts. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in math contexts, suitable for both casual and formal situations. Avoid using in literal sense when discussing general growth or increase. | Used in various contexts, such as historical events ('in ancient times') or schedules ('at times'). Avoid in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Multiply vs Times
What's the difference between Multiply and Times?
Multiply: To increase a number by another number. Times: periods or occasions in history or life
Can you show an example of each?
Multiply: To find the area of a rectangle, you need to multiply its length by its width. Times: In ancient times, people relied on the sun to tell time.
Can I use Multiply and Times interchangeably?
Not always. Multiply and Times are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.