about the time

USAGE SUMMARY

"about the time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific time period or moment. Example: They arrived at the party at about the time the cake was being served.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I forget about the time.

The Economist

It's not about the time".

Independent

(About the time the world ends).

The New York Times

It's not, however, about the time.

The New Yorker

I forgot about the time change.

The New York Times

About the time they killed his brother.

The New York Times

What about the time bit?

The Guardian

It was about the time of Sputnik.

The New York Times

The shootings began about the time of the boycott announcement.

The New York Times

"I'm not particularly concerned about the time line," Bettman said.

The New York Times

"Surfing is not really about the time riding the waves; it's about the time getting there," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about the time", ensure the context clearly defines the reference point in time to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The rain started about the time we arrived at the stadium."

Common error

Avoid using "about the time" without a clear indication of what time you're referring to. For example, instead of saying "He called about the time", specify "He called about the time the meeting ended."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about the time" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating when an action occurred in relation to another event or a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its typical use in referring to a specific time period or moment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about the time" is a versatile phrase used to indicate an approximate moment or period when something occurred. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase. It is particularly common in News & Media and Wiki contexts. To ensure clarity, always provide a reference point for the time you're referring to. Related phrases include "around that period" and "during that era", offering similar but slightly different nuances. Avoid vagueness by specifying the time frame as precisely as possible. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use "about the time" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in that timeframe

Replaces "time" with "timeframe", highlighting a set duration within which something occurs.

around that period

Replaces "about" with "around" and "time" with "period", slightly altering the focus from a specific moment to a duration.

circa that year

Replaces "about" with "circa" and "time" with "year", useful when referring to a rough estimate of a year.

during that era

Substitutes "time" with "era", emphasizing a broader historical or cultural period.

near that point

Emphasizes proximity to a certain moment, offering a slightly less direct temporal reference.

at that moment

Focuses on a precise instant rather than a span of time.

at that stage

Indicates a point in a process or development, rather than a general time.

close to then

Uses "then" to refer to a previously mentioned time, making it less specific.

roughly then

Indicates an approximate timing, simplifying the phrase.

in those days

Refers to a less specific, often nostalgic, period in the past.

FAQs

How can I use "about the time" in a sentence?

You can use "about the time" to indicate that something happened near a specific point in time. For example, "The power went out "about the time" the storm reached its peak".

What's a more formal way to say "about the time"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "approximately at that juncture" or "concurrently with that period" instead of "about the time".

Is it better to use "at the time" or "about the time"?

"At the time" suggests a precise moment, while "about the time" indicates an approximation or a period surrounding a specific moment. The choice depends on the level of precision you want to convey.

What phrases are similar to "about the time" when describing an event?

Similar phrases include "around that period", "during that era", or "in that timeframe". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of precision required. /s/around+that+period, /s/during+that+era, /s/in+that+timeframe