I existed then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I existed then" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time in the past when you were alive or present, often in a reflective or philosophical context. Example: "In the grand scheme of history, I existed then, even if my life seemed insignificant."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

For example, if Mary considers and understands the sentence 'I exist', then she can know a priori the proposition that it expresses in her context.

SEP

Had it existed then, I think this resource would have been the first thing participants looked at when they picked up the worst case scenarios.

The Guardian

Rudy said the BuzzFeed story containing that allegation was false "Because I have been through all the tapes, I have been through all the texts, I have been through all the e-mails, and I knew none existed". Then: "I shouldn't have said tapes.

The Washington Post

If sky-high fees had existed then, I think I would have viewed this as one obstacle too many.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the supermarkets we have today had existed then, I think I would have become an ardent devotee of ready meals (and an ardent faker, dishing up the meal and pretending it was my own).

The Guardian

(She claims not to remember this, but I'm confident that if Gmail had existed then, I could prove it).

The New Yorker

I'm sure that if these micro-sized 2×2 cubes existed then, I could have one.

TechCrunch

(If computers had existed then, I could have done it all with a single keystroke. Instead I had to type it all out, over and over).

Vice

First of all, you'd be like, 'Whoa, I forgot that guy existed!,' then you'd wonder, 'What the heck is he thinking!,' and then you'd laugh".

The New York Times

If a manual called Successful Meditation for the Slightly Neurotic and Manic Person Who Can't stop Thinking About What's For Dinner existed then I'd buy it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Had crowdfunding existed then, I would have been able to raise money faster, on better terms, and from a wider range of investors — all good things when it comes to financing a small business.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I existed then" to reflect on a past period of your life, often when contrasting it with the present or discussing historical contexts.

Common error

While "I existed then" is grammatically sound, avoid using it in everyday conversation where simpler phrases like "I was there" or "I was alive" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can sound pretentious or unnecessarily abstract.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I existed then" functions as a statement of past existence. It asserts that the speaker was alive or present during a specific period in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I existed then" is a grammatically correct way to express one's presence or life during a past period. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While examples are currently lacking, it is best used in reflective or philosophical contexts rather than casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "I was alive then" or "I was present then" may be more suitable for everyday use. The phrase's reflective nature lends itself to neutral and thoughtful discourse, even though specific authoritative sources using the phrase are not currently available in the provided data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was alive at that time

Focuses on the state of being alive during the specified period.

I lived during that period

Highlights the experience of living during the specified time.

Back then, I existed

Adds emphasis on the time frame using "back then".

I was present then

Emphasizes physical presence or involvement at that moment.

I was living then

Focuses on the continuous action of living at that time.

In those days, I existed

Uses "in those days" to specify a particular era.

I had my existence then

Highlights the possession of existence during that period.

My life existed then

Shifts the focus to the existence of one's life.

I was around at the time

Suggests a less formal and more casual presence.

I had being at that point

More philosophical, emphasizing the concept of "being".

FAQs

How can I use "I existed then" in a sentence?

You can use "I existed then" to refer to a past period of your life, often in a reflective context. For example, "In the grand scheme of history, "I existed then", even if my life seemed insignificant."

What is a simpler way to say "I existed then"?

Alternatives include "I was alive at that time" or "I was present then", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I existed then"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize your existence during a specific past period, especially when making a contrast with the present or reflecting on historical context. It is not suitable for everyday conversation.

Is "I existed at that time" interchangeable with "I existed then"?

While similar, "I existed then" is more concise. "I existed at that time" provides additional temporal precision but can sometimes sound more formal.