at any certain time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at any certain time" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing specific moments or instances in a general context, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "You can reach me at any certain time during the day, but I prefer mornings."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I was also kind of working with the idea that two separate people across the world from each other, one's wondering what the other one is doing at any certain time of the day.

Huffington Post

Speaking after a meeting of the PLO executive committee, Abed Rabbo said that there while there is no precedent that pushes us to go to the UN at any certain time, that doesn't mean that we are hesitant in going to New York.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yet a person immutable in the strong sense would be unable to perform any action at a certain time other than what he had previously intended to do.

SEP

Would such a test discover, for example, a "time bomb" set to start transferring a certain proportion of votes from one candidate to another at a certain time, or any other programmers' tricks?

The New Yorker

Hence, not only individuals that had relatively high (or low) AOC at a certain time in any given breeding season tended to do so also at other times of the same breeding season (see Methods), but individuals with relatively high AOC in one year tended to do so also in other years.

Plosone

Often, auctioneers will stop selling household items at a certain time to sell any land that is being offered for sale that day.

WikiHow

"We just converged at a certain time".

The New York Times

Go to bed at a certain time?

The Guardian - Sport

"It was expected that I'd be at a certain place at a certain time.

The Guardian

At a certain time.

Huffington Post

We grew apart at a certain time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "at any certain time" is understandable, consider using more common alternatives like "at any given time" or "at any specific time" for improved clarity and flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at any certain time" in highly formal writing. Opt for more conventional phrases to maintain a professional tone. For example, instead of saying, "Please submit your application at any certain time before the deadline", say "Please submit your application at any time before the deadline".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at any certain time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurs. Ludwig examples show it being used to indicate a general point in time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at any certain time" functions as an adverbial phrase to indicate an unspecified moment. Although understandable, Ludwig AI reports it's not a particularly common or stylistically strong choice. Grammatically acceptable but slightly awkward phrasing makes it more suitable for neutral to informal contexts rather than highly formal writing. Consider using alternatives like "at any given time" or "at any specific time" for improved clarity. Examples show its presence in News & Media and scientific articles, but a more common phrase can enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at any specific time

Replaces "certain" with "specific", offering a slightly more precise connotation.

at any given time

Uses "given" instead of "certain", implying a moment that is already established or understood.

at any particular time

Substitutes "certain" with "particular", suggesting a specific instance among many.

at any instant

Highlights the immediacy and brevity of the time in question.

at any moment

Simplifies the phrase to refer to any instant, removing the nuance of "certain".

at any point in time

Emphasizes the duration or span of time, rather than a precise moment.

whenever

Condenses the phrase into a single word, indicating any time the condition is met.

at any hour

Emphasizes the range of hours in a day, any is suitable.

at any date

It is suitable for emphasizing any date

at any stage

Shifts the focus to a phase or period within a process, instead of a specific time.

FAQs

What does "at any certain time" mean?

The phrase "at any certain time" refers to an unspecified point in time. Although understandable, it's less common than alternatives such as "at any given time" or "at any specific time".

Is "at any certain time" grammatically correct?

While grammatically acceptable, "at any certain time" is not a standard phrase in English. It's often better to use "at any given time" or "at any particular time" for clarity and wider acceptance.

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

You can use alternatives like "at any given time", "at any specific time", or "at any moment" depending on the context.

When should I avoid using "at any certain time"?

It's best to avoid "at any certain time" in formal writing or when seeking maximum clarity. Opt for more common and widely recognized phrases to ensure your message is easily understood. For instance, use "at any given time" in professional correspondence.