at another time

USAGE SUMMARY

'at another time' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a different occurrence than is being currently discussed. For example: "I appreciate the offer, but I think I will have to decline; perhaps we can discuss it at another time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

More about this at another time.

The New York Times

"Maybe at another time," he said.

The New York Times

You say you'll share your feelings at another time?

Independent

That was in another city, at another time.

The New York Times - Food

I'd deal with the errands at another time.

The New York Times - Tech

"We can have all of those debates at another time.

The New York Times

We looked forward to trying them at another time.

The New York Times

The poem was given to her at another time.

The New York Times

It might be different for another game at another time".

The Guardian - Sport

University places, re-sits can be discussed at another time".

The Guardian

Pietersen might get back the England captaincy at another time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at another time", try to provide context or a possible timeframe to show you are genuinely interested in revisiting the matter. For example: "Let's discuss this at another time, perhaps next week."

Common error

Avoid using "at another time" as a brush-off. If you say it, genuinely intend to revisit the topic. If you don't, it can damage trust and appear insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at another time" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action might occur. Ludwig AI confirms its role in specifying temporal aspects, similar to phrases like "later" or "subsequently".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at another time" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something will occur later. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an adverbial phrase to modify verbs or clauses, expressing a polite way to postpone discussions or actions. Given its frequency in news, academic, and general writing, mastering its usage is crucial for clear and professional communication. Bear in mind that sincerity when using the phrase can greatly impact the perception of your communications. While alternatives like "at a later date" or "on another occasion" exist, "at another time" remains a standard and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a later date

Emphasizes the postponement to an unspecified future point.

on another occasion

Highlights the occurrence happening during a separate instance.

in the future

Broadly indicates a time after the present.

at some point

Indicates an indefinite time in the future.

down the line

Suggests a point further along in time, often in a sequence of events.

at a more convenient time

Focuses on scheduling and ease of execution.

when the time is right

Implicates a condition or readiness needed before the action can occur.

in due course

Implies that something will happen eventually, when appropriate.

when I have more time

Clearly indicates the importance of having enough time to accomplish the event.

not now

Simply defers to any point other than the present time.

FAQs

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

You can use "at another time" to postpone a discussion or action, such as, "I'm busy now, but let's discuss this "at another time"." It indicates a willingness to address the issue later.

What are some alternatives to saying "at another time"?

Instead of saying "at another time", you could use alternatives like "at a later date", "on another occasion", or "in the future" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "at another time" or "later"?

"At another time" is generally more formal and polite than simply saying "later". Use "at another time" when you want to sound more considerate and less dismissive. The appropriateness depends on your relationship with the person and the context of the conversation.

How can I politely decline something while suggesting we revisit it "at another time"?

You can politely decline by saying, "Thank you for the invitation, but I'm unavailable right now; perhaps we can connect "at another time"." It acknowledges the offer while setting a boundary and hinting at a future possibility.