- substr_count: documentation ( source)
<?php
$strings = ['This is. a. test.',
'This is a. test.',
'This is. a test',
'This is a test',
'This. is. a. test.'
];
foreach ($strings as $string) {
if (($dots = substr_count($string, '.')) >= 3) {
echo "Yes, 3 or more dots ($string -> $dots)";
} else {
echo "Nope, less than 3 dots ($string -> $dots)";
}
echo "\n";
}