a given time

USAGE SUMMARY

"a given time" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific or predetermined time or moment. Example: "Please arrive at the office at a given time for your meeting with the CEO."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, depends on where he was at a given time.

Yale University

A Scheduled Macro executes on a given time schedule.

Yale University

The human can monitor several facilities at a given time.

University of California, Berkeley

We must judge what people do at a given time".

The Guardian

It is the maximum potential mitigation at a given time.

Nature

In a given time interval, a certain fraction will decay.

Britannica

To do this we warm up only one loop of the system at a given time.

Cornell University

Rotational speed is defined as the number of turns around an axis over a given time.

Harvard University

Plucking predominates, perhaps by as many as three instruments at a given time.

Stanford University

Even if the work is eligible, funds may not be available at a given time.

Cornell University

Even if one is happy at a given time, this happiness is not permanent.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a given time", ensure the context makes clear whether you are referring to a specific, pre-arranged time, or an arbitrary point in time for the purpose of discussion or analysis.

Common error

Be careful not to use "a given time" when you actually mean "at all times" or "always". The phrase implies a particular moment, not a continuous state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a given time" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action or event occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and commonly used construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a given time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to specify a particular moment or period. As indicated by Ludwig, its prevalence spans various contexts, from academia and scientific research to news reporting and general discourse. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity by confirming that the context clearly indicates the specificity of the time being referenced. Alternatives like "at a particular moment" or "at a certain time" can be considered to add nuance or avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a particular moment

Replaces "given" with "particular", emphasizing a specific instance.

at a specific point in time

Uses "specific point in time" instead of "given time", adding clarity.

at a certain time

Employs "certain" to convey a similar meaning to "given", indicating a defined but unspecified time.

at a designated time

Replaces "given" with "designated", implying a prearranged or appointed time.

at the specified time

Highlights that the time has been communicated or indicated previously.

at a predetermined moment

Uses "predetermined" to indicate the time was set in advance.

at the selected time

Suggests the time has been deliberately chosen.

during a specific interval

Focuses on a duration rather than a single point, using "specific interval".

at an appointed hour

More formal, suggesting a scheduled or arranged time.

in a defined period

Emphasizes the duration rather than a single moment.

FAQs

How can I use "a given time" in a sentence?

Use "a given time" to refer to a specific moment or point in time, often predetermined or relevant to a particular context. For example, "The experiment was conducted at "a given time" each day".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a given time"?

You can use alternatives like "at a particular moment", "at a specific point in time", or "at a certain time" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "at a given time" or "at any time"?

"At a given time" refers to a specific, possibly pre-determined, moment. "At any time" refers to any moment without restriction. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

How does "a given time" differ from "a specific time"?

While both phrases denote a particular moment, "a given time" often implies the time is already known or relevant to the context, whereas "a specific time" simply highlights that a particular, precise time is being referred to.