about the time that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about the time that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific period or moment in the past when something occurred. Example: "About the time that the sun was setting, we decided to start our campfire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

John Bohlsen, 65, checked his watch, worried about the time that was passing between courses.

The New York Times

Apocalyptic fantasy says a lot about the time that creates it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another issue that should be considered is about the time that is taken by an algorithm.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

DH: I'm really excited about the time that will be opened up and the possibilities that will be there.

Huffington Post

Reasons cited included concerns about references to managing mental health problems, concerns about the time that might be required and having other health problems.

BMC Family Practice

Don't get nervous about the time that is taking to sleep.

WikiHow

Wheat prices collapsed from over-supply, at just about the time that the Depression hit.

The Economist

About the time that Nebuchadrezzar besieged Jerusalem, Ezekiel's wife became ill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

PG: Tell me about the time that Lance appeared on "The Dick Cavett Show".

The New York Times

At about the time that photorealist painting was in vogue, our food photography became hyperrealist.

The Guardian

Mass spectroscopy originated at about the time that high vacuum was first attained in the laboratory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about the time that" to clearly establish a temporal relationship between two events, providing context for your readers.

Common error

Avoid using "about the time that" when a more precise time reference is available. Using it when exact dates or times are known can make your writing seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about the time that" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a temporal clause. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates an approximate point in time when something occurred. It serves to connect events by establishing a temporal relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about the time that" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate an approximate timeframe when an event occurred. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. Although a precise time is not given, this phrase offers a way to relate different occurrences. Remember to use it when specificity isn't critical, and you want to provide a general temporal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the same time as

Directly indicates two events happening together.

while

Indicates that two events happen simultaneously or during the same period of time.

around the period when

Focuses on a duration rather than a precise moment.

approximately when

Emphasizes estimation and lack of precision.

in the vicinity of when

More formal and emphasizes proximity in time.

as soon as

Highlights the immediacy of one event following another.

close to the moment that

Highlights nearness to a specific point in time.

concurrently with when

Stresses simultaneity or happening at the same time.

during the era that

Emphasizes a broader historical timeframe.

in those days when

Evokes a sense of nostalgia or reminiscing about the past.

FAQs

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

Use "about the time that" to connect two events that occurred around the same period. For example, "About the time that the new policy was implemented, we saw a decrease in customer complaints".

What's a more formal alternative to "about the time that"?

A more formal alternative would be "concurrently with" or "simultaneous to". These options offer a more professional tone in academic or business writing. For example, you can say "The research was conducted "concurrently with" the development of the new technology".

Is it correct to use "around the time that" instead of "about the time that"?

Yes, "around the time that" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, indicating an approximate timeframe. The choice depends on stylistic preference and context.

What's the difference between "at the time that" and "about the time that"?

"At the time that" implies a specific moment, while "about the time that" suggests an approximate timeframe. Use "at the time that" when referring to a precise point, and "about the time that" for a less defined period. For example, "At the time that the contract was signed, the market was stable." versus "About the time that the project started, the economy began to decline".