at a certain time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a certain time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an unspecified point in time, either in the past, present, or future. For example, "We will need to arrive at a certain time if we're going to make the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We just converged at a certain time".

The New York Times

Go to bed at a certain time?

The Guardian - Sport

It serves a distinct need at a certain time, repeatedly.

The New York Times

Hydrophobic Spacers display maximum AuNP incorporation at a certain time.

Nature

Or he'd say: 'You go at a certain time.

The New York Times

Brutalism unwittingly evoked a national character at a certain time.

The Guardian - Arts

Call my sponsor every day at a certain time?

The Guardian - Opinion

It sort of hit critical mass at a certain time".

The Guardian - Music

Fox, chairman of the drive, at a certain time.

The New Yorker

"You had to get up at a certain time, you had to go to sleep at a certain time," he said.

The New York Times

Do I need to log in to a lecture at a certain time?

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a certain time" when you want to refer to a specific but unspecified point in time, avoiding ambiguity by providing additional context if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "at a certain time" excessively without any contextual clues, as it can make your writing seem vague and unhelpful to the reader. Provide more specific details when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a certain time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurs. It introduces an element of temporality, indicating that something happens during a particular moment. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a certain time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that an event or action will occur during a specific, though often unspecified, moment. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral formality level. While useful, it's important to balance its usage with more specific time references to enhance clarity. Consider alternatives like "at a specific time" or "at a particular moment" depending on the desired level of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a specific time

Replaces "certain" with "specific", emphasizing precision.

at a particular moment

Substitutes "time" with "moment", highlighting a precise instance.

at a given time

Uses "given" instead of "certain", suggesting a predetermined or known time.

at some point

Offers a less precise alternative, implying an unspecified moment.

at a designated time

Replaces "certain" with "designated", implying a pre-arranged time.

at one time

Simplifies the phrase to indicate a single instance in the past or future.

at a set time

Emphasizes that the time is pre-arranged and unlikely to change.

at a scheduled time

Implies the time is part of an organized agenda.

at an appointed time

Suggests a formally arranged or official time.

eventually

Indicates that something will happen, but does not specify when.

FAQs

How can I use "at a certain time" in a sentence?

You can use "at a certain time" to refer to a specific but unspecified point in time. For example, "The meeting will begin "at a certain time" next week."

What are some alternatives to "at a certain time"?

Alternatives include "at a specific time", "at a particular moment", or "at some point", depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific instead of saying "at a certain time"?

While "at a certain time" is acceptable, being more specific, such as providing a date or approximate time, usually improves clarity. For example, instead of "The store will open "at a certain time"", say "The store will open at 9 AM."

What's the difference between "at a certain time" and "at any time"?

"At a certain time" refers to a specific, though unspecified, moment. "At any time", conversely, indicates that something can happen whenever or at all moments.