at about the same time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at about the same time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to two events or situations which happened or existed around the same point in time. For example, "I started learning French and Spanish at about the same time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ElBaradei tweeted "We're almost there" at about the same time.

Princeton University

Both enemy and growth disappeared at about the same time.

The Economist

Vauquelin identified it at about the same time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At about the same time, I started rereading favorites.

The New Yorker

We left the beach at about the same time.

The New York Times

He was learning to read at about the same time.

Independent

Livermore took similar actions at about the same time.

The New York Times

At about the same time, Don C. Wiley mysteriously disappeared.

The New York Times - Magazine

At about the same time she discovered she was pregnant.

The Guardian - Opinion

They all start acting up at about the same time.

The New Yorker

At about the same time, stores were shutting down, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at about the same time" to clearly indicate that two or more events occurred close to each other, without implying exact synchronicity. This is useful when precise timing is unknown or unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using "at about the same time" excessively in a single piece of writing. If multiple events occurred close together, consider grouping them into a single, more concise statement or rephrasing for better clarity and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at about the same time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred in relation to another. It specifies that two or more events took place close in time. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, it's used to connect events that are not precisely simultaneous, but occur within a similar timeframe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at about the same time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that two or more events happened close to each other in time, though not necessarily simultaneously. As confirmed by Ludwig's analysis, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and scientific publications. While variations like "simultaneously" or "concurrently" exist, "at about the same time" strikes a balance between precision and generality, making it suitable for various writing styles. Remember to avoid overuse for conciseness and consider its subtle difference from "at the same time" for accurate temporal description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at approximately the same time

Adds a degree of formality and precision, emphasizing the estimation of simultaneity.

around the same moment

Highlights the proximity in time, suggesting a less specific overlap compared to the original phrase.

nearly simultaneously

Indicates a very short time gap between events, stressing near simultaneity.

simultaneously

Expresses events happening exactly at the same instant, implying a more precise synchronization than the original phrase.

almost at the same instant

Highlights the near-perfect synchronization of events, very close to each other in time.

concurrently

Similar to 'simultaneously' but can also suggest events happening within the same period, not necessarily at the exact moment.

in tandem

Suggests events happening together, often implying coordination or cooperation.

in the same period

Focuses on the temporal duration during which events occur, rather than the precise moment of occurrence.

in close succession

Emphasizes that events followed each other quickly, but not necessarily overlapping.

in rapid sequence

Stresses the quick order of events, suggesting a chain reaction or causal relationship.

FAQs

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

Use "at about the same time" to indicate that two or more events occurred close to each other. For example, "The stock market crashed, and "at about the same time", several major banks declared bankruptcy".

What phrases are similar to "at about the same time"?

Similar phrases include "simultaneously", "concurrently", and "around the same moment". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "at about the same time as"?

While not strictly redundant, "at about the same time as" can often be shortened to simply "at about the same time" or rephrased for conciseness. For example, instead of "They arrived at about the same time as we did", you could say "They arrived "at about the same time"" or "They arrived around the same time we did".

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

"At the same time" implies events happening precisely together. "At about the same time" suggests events happening close together but not necessarily perfectly synchronized. The latter allows for a slight margin of error or uncertainty.