at around that time

USAGE SUMMARY

'at around that time' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time, usually one that is close to the time of an event or occurrence. For example: "The party was already in full swing at around that time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Daniel Hannan, the hard-right Conservative MEP, recalled seeing Foot speak at the Oxford Union in the 1980s: "At around that time he was accused, outrageously, of having collaborated with the KGB.

The Guardian

"It was a privilege to have known him and to have learned from him – not simply as a politician, but as that rare breed: an intellectual and a thinker". Daniel Hannan, the hard-right Conservative MEP, recalled seeing Foot speak at the Oxford Union in the 1980s: "At around that time he was accused, outrageously, of having collaborated with the KGB.

The Guardian

At around that time, children start to show sympathetic concern for others.

The Economist

One of the patent portfolios that had come online at around that time involved grow lights.

The New Yorker

At around that time, women's second-best friends are increasingly men from their own generation.

The Economist

At around that time, Brinsley approached a group of people on the street.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Each year since 1997, earnings at the 90th percentile have remained consistently at around 3.5 times that of the 10th percentile," the ONS observed.

BBC

And Parallel Lines was around at that time.

The Guardian - Music

Now, I understand – it sounds like nothing else that was around at that time.

The Guardian - Music

The adults around at that time – some had been fighter pilots, some had commandeered U-boats.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was hard not to be infected by a sense of optimism and excitement about the freedom agenda that was around at that time.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at around that time", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for "that time". Avoid ambiguity by specifying the event or period you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "at around that time" when multiple time references are present in the same sentence. This can cause confusion. Instead, clarify which specific time frame you're referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at around that time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at around that time" is a correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that provides a temporal reference, indicating that something occurred near a specific point in time. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it is essential to ensure the context provides a clear reference point to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "about that time" or "during that period" can be used for variety. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science, highlighting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at approximately that time

Adds "approximately" for increased emphasis on the estimation.

about that time

Simplifies the phrase using "about" instead of "around".

around that period

Replaces "time" with "period", focusing on a span of time rather than a specific moment.

at the time

Removes "around that" for a more direct reference.

circa that time

"Circa" adds a sense of approximation and formality.

in that era

Shifts the focus to a broader historical period.

during that interval

Uses a more formal term, "interval", to indicate a specific duration.

in those days

Implies a more distant past and a different context.

concurrently

Uses a single adverb to indicate simultaneous occurrence.

at that moment

Refers to a specific instant rather than a period.

FAQs

How can I use "at around that time" in a sentence?

Use "at around that time" to indicate an approximate point in the past. For example, "The project began to gain traction "at around that time", coinciding with the new marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "at around that time"?

You can use alternatives like "about that time", "during that period", or "circa that time" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "at that time" or "at around that time"?

"At that time" is slightly more formal and direct, while ""at around that time"" implies a degree of approximation.

Can I use "at around that time" to refer to the future?

While grammatically possible, ""at around that time"" is usually used to refer to past events. For future events, consider using "around that time" or "by that time".