a time during which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a time during which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific period or duration in which an event or action occurs. Example: "There was a time during which we all believed in the power of teamwork to achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a time during which a certain kind of poverty was appropriate.

The New Yorker

The incident apparently occurred at a time during which Johnson was emotionally distraught, and the conviction was later vacated.

Cornell University

This illness had lasted for weeks, a time during which my mother had called me every night.

The New York Times

The Pleistocene was not only a time during which climates and temperatures shifted dramatically; Pleistocene fossils are often abundant, well-preserved, and can be dated very precisely.

University of California, Berkeley

The Eocene offers just such a model as it is a time during which the Earth was much warmer than today.

University of California, Berkeley

In a time during which students at some elite American institutions graduate with crushing debt burdens, this is an extraordinary institutional commitment to accessibility and affordability.

Columbia University

Ellis's study covered a time during which recorded average temperatures in the United States were somewhat lower than during the 1987-89 period tabulated in Table 1.

Stanford University

And though I've seen it criticised as dated, I find that it immediately drags me back to a time during which I wasn't even alive.

The Guardian - Music

Indeed, and by Ms. Copeland's own account, the last 12 months have been an annus mirabilis – a time during which she fulfilled a cherished goal.

The New York Times

In the late 1970s, after a row with the authorities his medical qualifications were withdrawn for a time, during which he worked as a reindeer herdsman in Siberia.

The Guardian

The erosional trend peaked in 1995 at a time during which the values for monthly winter mean significant wave height were notably high.

Continental Shelf Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a time during which" to clearly indicate a specific period when an event or action takes place. This construction is especially useful in formal writing and academic contexts to establish temporal relationships.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice when using "a time during which". Ensure the subject of the sentence actively performs the action within the specified timeframe to maintain clarity and engagement. For example, instead of "Mistakes were made a time during which things were hard", use "Mistakes were made during a difficult time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a time during which" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the time frame in which an action or state occurs. Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a time during which" is a grammatically sound phrase used to specify when an event or action occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and scientific publications. While it effectively provides temporal context, it's important to consider simpler alternatives like "when" or "while" for increased clarity in less formal settings. The phrase's neutral to formal register makes it appropriate for professional communication. Be mindful to avoid overuse of passive voice when incorporating this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a period when

Replaces "during which" with the simpler "when", creating a more concise phrase.

a period in which

Uses "in which" instead of "during which", offering a slight variation in prepositional usage.

a phase when

Substitutes "time" with "phase", indicating a specific stage or segment.

a stage where

Replaces "time" with "stage", emphasizing a particular point in a process or development. It is less formal than other alternatives.

an era in which

Uses "era" instead of "time", suggesting a longer, more significant period.

a moment when

Substitutes "time" with "moment", focusing on a brief instance.

a juncture where

Replaces "time" with "juncture", emphasizing a critical point in time or events. It is more formal and specific.

throughout which

Emphasizes that the action occurs over the entire duration. It alters the sentence structure more significantly.

in the course of which

A more formal and lengthy alternative, emphasizing the process occurring within the timeframe.

at the point that

Shifts the focus to a specific point in time, rather than a duration. This changes the overall meaning slightly.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a time during which" for simpler language?

Consider using alternatives like "a period when" or "during the time that" for clarity and conciseness.

Is it always necessary to use "a time during which" in formal writing?

While "a time during which" is suitable for formal contexts, simpler phrases like "when" or "while" can often be used without sacrificing precision or clarity.

What are some common words to use instead of "time" in "a time during which"?

Alternatives include "period", "phase", "stage", or "era", depending on the specific duration and context you wish to convey.

How does "a time during which" compare to "at a time when"?

"A time during which" emphasizes the duration of an event, whereas "at a time when" focuses on a specific point. "At a time when" may sometimes be better to describe a concurrent situation at a specific point in time.