around that time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around that time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a specific, but somewhat imprecise moment in time. For example: "I graduated from college around that time, so I was really busy with job applications and interviews."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was around that time.

The Guardian - Sport

I remember hearing Voodoo around that time.

The Guardian - Music

Max Katz died around that time.

The New Yorker

It was around that time she died.

The Guardian

Around that time, the heads disappeared.

The New York Times

Around that time, she auditioned for Scorsese.

The Guardian - Film

Around that time there was another loss.

The New York Times - Books

Marble portraiture appeared around that time in Florence.

The New York Times - Arts

We also ran an interesting debate around that time.

The Economist

Around that time, Kataria's wife suffered a series of miscarriages.

The New Yorker

A seizure disorder also developed around that time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "around that time" to indicate an approximate point in the past when the exact date or moment is not critical or known. For example, "The company started experiencing financial difficulties around that time."

Common error

Avoid using "around that time" excessively in a single piece of writing. If you find yourself using it multiple times, try to provide more specific temporal markers or transitions to improve clarity for your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around that time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying when an action occurred. Ludwig shows it commonly connects events to a general period, without pinpointing an exact moment. This makes it useful for providing context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "around that time" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to an approximate time period. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it's a useful phrase, be mindful of overusing it and consider providing more specific details when possible. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is generally acceptable and is a good way of expressing a period without pinpointing the exact date or time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at approximately that time

Adds a degree of precision while maintaining the general timeframe.

about then

A more informal and casual way to indicate the same time.

during that period

Emphasizes a span of time rather than a specific moment.

back then

A simple, colloquial way to refer to a past time.

during that timeframe

Highlights the duration of the period being referenced.

in that era

Suitable for referring to larger, more historical timeframes.

in those days

Suggests a nostalgic or reflective tone when referring to the past.

at that juncture

More formal and emphasizes a critical point in time.

at that stage

Focuses on a particular phase or point in a process.

circa that time

Latin-derived and suitable for academic or historical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "around that time" in a sentence?

Use "around that time" to indicate an approximate period when something occurred. For example, "The project began showing signs of success "around that time"".

What phrases are similar to "around that time"?

Similar phrases include "at approximately that time", "during that period", or "in those days" depending on the context.

Is it better to use a specific date instead of "around that time"?

If you know the exact date, it's generally better to use it for clarity. However, if the exact date is unknown or not important, "around that time" is appropriate.

Can "around that time" be used for future events?

"Around that time" primarily refers to past events. For future events, consider using phrases like "at that point" or "near then".