In earlier times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In earlier times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a period in the past, often when discussing historical events or cultural practices. Example: "In earlier times, people relied on oral traditions to pass down stories and knowledge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In earlier times catapults "reduced" the fortifications.

The Economist

In earlier times there was much mutual influence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"In earlier times I knew nothing except poetry," he said.

The Guardian - Books

In earlier times kidnapping meant carrying a person away to another country for involuntary servitude.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In earlier times, such lawless anomalies were surprisingly common, even in the middle of "civilization".

The New York Times

In earlier times Mashhad had been a village called Sanābād (also called Nūqān).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In earlier times it was a title of more dignity and power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In earlier times, a canticle was an extended vocal piece on a spiritual subject.

The New York Times - Arts

In earlier times, and again today, governments have utilized taxation for other than merely fiscal purposes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In earlier times, major-league baseball players held regular jobs in the off-season.

The New York Times

In earlier times Rome would be largely unaware of deviant views elsewhere.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "In earlier times", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific period you're referring to. If the time frame is ambiguous, provide additional details for clarity.

Common error

Avoid implying that all aspects of a past period were uniform. Instead of saying "In earlier times, everyone did X", acknowledge variations in practices or beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "In earlier times" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurred. It sets a temporal context, contrasting a past period with the present or another specified time. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "In earlier times" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce historical context and contrast past practices with the present. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used across diverse sources such as News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. When using the phrase, it's best to specify the relevant historical period to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity for the reader. While many alternatives exist, such as "in former times" or "in days gone by", "In earlier times" offers a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In former times

Replaces "earlier" with "former", emphasizing a past period.

In past times

Substitutes "earlier" with "past", highlighting the historical aspect.

In days gone by

Uses a more poetic expression to refer to the past.

In previous eras

Emphasizes specific historical periods.

In olden days

Refers to a distant past, often with a nostalgic tone.

Back in the day

An informal way to refer to a specific past period.

In antiquity

Refers specifically to ancient times.

In yesteryear

A somewhat archaic way of saying "last year" or "in the past".

In bygone ages

Emphasizes a past era that is long gone.

In ancient history

Refers specifically to the historical period of antiquity.

FAQs

How can I use "In earlier times" in a sentence?

You can use "In earlier times" to contrast past practices with present ones. For example, "In earlier times, people relied on oral traditions to pass down stories, but now we have written records."

What phrases are similar to "In earlier times"?

Alternatives include "in former times", "in past times", or "in days gone by", each adding a slightly different nuance to the reference to the past.

Is it correct to say "In earlier time" instead of "In earlier times"?

No, the correct phrase is "In earlier times". "Times" refers to a period, making it a plural noun in this context.

How does the connotation of "In earlier times" differ from "In later times"?

"In earlier times" refers to a period before the present, while "In later times" refers to a period after a specific reference point. They are contrasting temporal phrases.