ことか (koto-ka): How very; how many times
～ことか (koto-ka)
Meaning
How very; how many times
Formation and usage
interrogative／degree adverb + plain clause + ことか
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Exclaims about a degree or number of times rather than requesting an answer.
Examples
何度資料を確認したことか。
How many times I have had to check the documents!
何度先生に相談したことか。
How many times I have had to consult the teacher!
何度計画を見直したことか。
How many times I have had to review the plan!
何度会場を下見したことか。
How many times I have had to inspect the venue beforehand!
何度十分に練習したことか。
How many times I have had to practice thoroughly!
How related patterns differ
ことか exclaims about number or degree; ことに introduces a feeling. この上ない, 極まりない, and といったらない intensify evaluations; ったらありゃしない is strongly colloquial. たるや introduces an emphatic topic, while 過言ではない defends an assessment as no exaggeration.