almost at the same time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost at the same time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or actions that occur very close together in time, but not exactly simultaneously. Example: "The fireworks started almost at the same time as the concert began, creating a spectacular atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Dad wins," said Mr. Cuomo, almost at the same time.

The New York Times

"Nuestro alcalde," they said, almost at the same time.

The New York Times

Almost at the same time as Ramachandran, a group in Scotland had also suggested the link.

The New Yorker

But almost at the same time, two other nuclear powers are engaging in hostilities.

The Washington Post

"Just call us for anything," the Angolans said, almost at the same time.

The New Yorker

"Are you all right?" two of them asked almost at the same time.

The New York Times - Travel

Almost at the same time, Britain announced that Mr. Blair would travel here.

The New York Times

They make fine appetizers but will arrive almost at the same time as the entrees from the extremely efficient kitchen.

The New York Times

Now these two books by female academics, appearing almost at the same time, set out to rectify these biases.

The Economist

"Ow!" — and almost at the same time as the report of a large group at East Ninth Street.

The New York Times

Peter and Michael started almost at the same time at Gould in 1959 and ever since their friendship endured.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that occur very close together but not precisely at the same instant, use "almost at the same time" to convey the slight difference in timing accurately. This is especially useful in narratives or reports where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "at the same time" when events are only nearly simultaneous. Using "almost at the same time" adds crucial nuance, preventing misinterpretation that the events happened concurrently when they did not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost at the same time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the temporal relationship between events. It specifies that events occurred in close proximity to each other but were not perfectly simultaneous. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "almost at the same time" effectively conveys that events occurred close together in time without being perfectly simultaneous. Ludwig shows its versatility across various fields, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable. To ensure clarity, avoid using "at the same time" if events are not truly simultaneous. Alternatives like "nearly simultaneously" or "in quick succession" may be suitable depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly simultaneously

Focuses on the near simultaneity using an adverb, altering the phrasing for conciseness.

close to concurrent

Employs more formal vocabulary, replacing "same time" with "concurrent" for a more technical tone.

in quick succession

Highlights the rapid following of one event after another, shifting the emphasis from simultaneity to sequence.

practically concurrent

Replaces "almost" with "practically", maintaining similar meaning, yet suggesting an even greater degree of simultaneity.

virtually simultaneous

Substitutes "almost" with "virtually" and "at the same time" with simultaneous offering a slightly stronger sense of simultaneity.

just about at the same moment

Expands the phrase, adding emphasis and a slightly more descriptive tone.

around the same period

Broadens the scope to a period rather than an exact moment, suitable for less precise timing.

in rapid sequence

Similar to 'in quick succession' but with a slightly more formal tone.

hardly lagging

Introduces a notion of one event closely following another with minimal delay, changing the focus slightly.

one right after the other

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey the close temporal proximity of events.

FAQs

How can I use "almost at the same time" in a sentence?

Use "almost at the same time" to indicate that two or more events occurred very close together in time, but not exactly simultaneously. For example: "The fireworks started "almost at the same time" as the concert began."

What are some alternatives to "almost at the same time"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly simultaneously", "in quick succession", or "practically concurrent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "almost at the same time" and "at the same time"?

"At the same time" means events occurred simultaneously. "Almost at the same time" indicates a slight difference in timing, where events happened very close together but not precisely together. This distinction is important for accuracy.

Is it appropriate to use "almost at the same time" in formal writing?

Yes, "almost at the same time" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and precise way to describe events that are nearly simultaneous, and it is widely used in news, academic, and scientific contexts.