at approximately the same time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at approximately the same time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that two or more events occurred around the same moment, without specifying an exact time. Example: "The two trains arrived at approximately the same time, causing a bit of confusion at the station."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This timing indicates that the functional evolution of MCF began at approximately the same time as metazoan evolution.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

2012: Bush hits his final goal and 400 pounds at approximately the same time.

The New York Times

At approximately the same time, a third Veda, the Samaveda, was created for liturgical purposes.

Britannica

2. Go to bed and wake up at approximately the same time every day.

University of California, Berkeley

At approximately the same time A. T. Tvardovsky, chief editor of the journal Novy Mir, also received a copy.

The New Yorker

"Bin Laden was located in the area at approximately the same time," according to "very reliable" intelligence, Captain Nicholson said.

The New York Times

Other labs were making similar advances at approximately the same time, each using its own technology and algorithms.

MIT Technology Review

At approximately the same time, the Illinois Central built an additional freight depot adjacent to the exposition building.

The New York Times - Books

Spruce immigrated to the study area at about 8900 14C yr B.P. Peatland development started at approximately the same time.

Quaternary Research

At approximately the same time, a fundamental shift in the locus of the sacred occurred in the East and West.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Additionally, a radial-growth decline began in these trees at approximately the same time that chloride became elevated.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is not critical, use "at approximately the same time" to indicate events happening close together. Avoid overuse by varying with synonyms like "simultaneously" or "concurrently".

Common error

Avoid using "at approximately the same time" when events are known to be exactly simultaneous. In such cases, "at the same time" is more appropriate and direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at approximately the same time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating when an action occurred in relation to another. It provides a temporal context, suggesting simultaneity without requiring perfect precision, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at approximately the same time" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to denote events occurring close in time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted and frequently used across diverse contexts, including science, news, and general writing. While precision is key in certain contexts, this phrase offers a convenient way to relate events without demanding exact simultaneity. When writing, remember to vary your language and consider alternatives like "simultaneously" or "concurrently" to maintain engagement and avoid redundancy. The examples on Ludwig showcase the phrase's wide applicability and its importance in conveying temporal relationships effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at virtually the same time

Similar to the main query but with a slight emphasis on the nearness in time.

at nearly the same time

Expresses almost the same meaning but uses "nearly" instead of "approximately".

at one and the same time

A slightly more emphatic way of saying "at the same time".

simultaneously

Single word alternative for expressing two actions that occur in the same moment. It is usually more concise and formal.

concurrently

Indicates that events happen at the same period. It is more formal and often used in technical or legal contexts.

synchronously

Describes events that are perfectly aligned in time.

in unison

Suggests coordinated or synchronized action.

contemporaneously

Emphasizes that events are happening within the same historical period or moment.

at the same instant

Emphasizes the immediacy and precision of two events occurring together.

in parallel

Suggests that two or more processes are happening alongside each other.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "at approximately the same time"?

You can use phrases like "at the same time", "around the same time", or "simultaneously" for a more concise expression.

How does "at approximately the same time" differ from "at the exact same time"?

"At approximately the same time" suggests the events occurred close together but not necessarily at the very same moment. "At the exact same time", on the other hand, implies perfect synchronicity.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "at approximately the same time"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Starting a sentence with "at approximately the same time" can effectively introduce a related event or action. However, ensure smooth flow and logical connection to the preceding context.

Which phrase is more formal: "at approximately the same time" or "around the same time"?

"At approximately the same time" is slightly more formal than "around the same time". Use the former in professional or academic writing and the latter in more casual contexts.