At that point in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At that point in time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific moment in the past when discussing events or decisions. Example: "At that point in time, we were unaware of the changes that would soon take place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

At that point in time, you just take your medicine".

The New York Times - Sports

At that point in time, the vast majority of people were screaming 'get that idiot off'.

Independent

At that point in time, I was influenced by '60s guitar players.

The New York Times

At that point in time it was sound, but the events undermined it.

The Guardian

At that point in time, Parma had not won a Serie A match in two months.

The Guardian - Sport

At that point in time, Tesla traded for under $100 per share.

TechCrunch

At that point in time, when people had worked it out, who knew how many people could have done it?

BBC

At that point in time, only my mother and sister knew that I was gay.

Huffington Post

At that point in time global debt markets had plummeted into chaos.

Huffington Post

At that point in time, the federal minimum wage was set at $1.00 per hour.

Huffington Post

"At that point in time, I barely even knew what sexual abuse was," Cornish recalled.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "At that point in time" to clearly specify a particular moment or period you are referencing. This helps avoid ambiguity, especially when discussing multiple events in sequence.

Common error

Avoid using "At that point in time" excessively in your writing. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive and stilted. Consider simpler alternatives like "then" or "at that moment" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At that point in time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action occurred or a state existed. It adds temporal context to the sentence, as demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "At that point in time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that specifies a particular moment or period in the past. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, with the most frequent being news and media. While its use is generally acceptable, it's important to avoid overuse to prevent redundancy in writing. Simpler alternatives like "at that moment" or "then" can often be used effectively. The phrase is commonly found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating its acceptance in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At that moment

Replaces "point in time" with the single word "moment", making it more concise.

At that time

Simplifies the phrase by using "time" instead of "point in time".

Back then

A more informal way to refer to a time in the past.

At that stage

Emphasizes a specific phase or period within a process or event.

During that period

Highlights a span of time rather than a single instant.

In those days

Suggests a more distant past, often with nostalgic connotations.

At that juncture

Emphasizes a critical or decisive moment.

Then

A simple and direct way to indicate a past time.

In that era

Refers to a broader historical period or epoch.

At that stage of affairs

More formal and refers to the circumstances existing at a particular time.

FAQs

What does "At that point in time" mean?

The phrase "At that point in time" means at a specific moment or period in the past. It's used to refer to when something happened or was true.

How can I use "At that point in time" in a sentence?

You can use "At that point in time" to specify when an event occurred. For example: "At that point in time, the company was struggling financially."

What can I say instead of "At that point in time"?

You can use alternatives like "at that moment", "at that time", or "back then depending on the context".

Is "At that point in time" formal or informal?

The phrase "At that point in time" is relatively neutral in tone. While not overly formal, it's suitable for both news and media contexts. Simpler alternatives like "then" might be preferred in more informal settings.