At the time that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At the time that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific moment or period in the past when something occurred or was relevant. Example: "At the time that the project was initiated, we had no idea of the challenges we would face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

At the time, that was "big".

The New York Times

At the time, that was an improvement.

The New York Times

At the time that was huge.

Independent

At the time, that was enough.

The New York Times - Sports

"At the time, that was expensive.

The New York Times

At the time, that possibility seemed slim.

The New York Times

At the time, that was Heydar Aliyev.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the time, that seemed like G.O.P. bravado.

The New Yorker

"At the time, that was double the national average increase.

The New York Times

"At the time, that seemed like a waste of money".

The New Yorker

At the time, that was hardly conventional wisdom.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "At the time that" to provide a clear temporal context, especially when contrasting past perceptions or conditions with the present.

Common error

Avoid using "At the time that" when a simple "when" or "at that time" would suffice. Redundancy can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At the time that" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a temporal clause. It specifies a particular point or period in the past, providing context for the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "At the time that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to establish a temporal context, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's most prevalent in news and media, serving to clarify when an event occurred and is generally considered neutral in register. While effective, it's important to avoid redundancy by considering simpler alternatives like "when" or "at that time". Remember to use "At the time that" to provide clear temporal context, especially when contrasting past perceptions or conditions with the present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

When that happened

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct temporal marker, focusing on the event.

At that specific moment

Replaces "the time that" with a more specific and emphatic reference to a moment.

During that particular period

Substitutes "the time that" with a reference to a broader period, adding emphasis.

Back when that occurred

Uses a more informal and retrospective tone to indicate a past event.

As it was then

Emphasizes the state of affairs at the specified past time.

In those days

Indicates a more general period in the past, less specific than "at the time".

At that juncture

Replaces "time" with a more formal term, "juncture", indicating a critical point.

During those times

Similar to "in those days" but slightly more formal.

In that era

Refers to a broader historical period rather than a specific moment.

In retrospect

Focuses on looking back from the present, offering a reflective perspective.

FAQs

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

Use "At the time that" to specify a particular moment or period when something occurred or was true. For example, "At the time that the project started, we didn't anticipate these challenges."

What are some alternatives to "At the time that"?

Alternatives include "when", "at that time", or "during that period" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "At the time that" or "At that time"?

While both are correct, ""at that time"" is often more concise and preferred in modern writing. "At the time that" can sometimes sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "At the time that" and "When"?

"At the time that" provides a specific temporal reference, whereas ""when"" introduces a clause indicating when something happened. They are often interchangeable, but "At the time that" can add emphasis or clarity in certain contexts.