at one point

USAGE SUMMARY

"at one point" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific period of time in the past or to discuss a momentary change in a given situation. For example, "At one point, I thought I would never get the job done, but then I found a way to finish it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

André says at one point.

The New Yorker

"I stopped at one point.

The Guardian

I ask at one point.

The Guardian - Music

At one point, they did.

TechCrunch

declared at one point.

Huffington Post

she screams at one point.

Huffington Post

"At one point I had a family.

Huffington Post

At one point it was inoperable.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

At one point, B.B.D.O.

The New Yorker

At one point they dance.

The New York Times

At one point, he yawned.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at one point" to clearly indicate a specific, though possibly vaguely defined, moment or stage within a larger sequence of events or a longer period. It helps to set the context for a change or observation.

Common error

While "at one point" is versatile, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "at some stage" or "on one occasion" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at one point" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a specific moment or stage in time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at one point" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a specific moment or stage within a sequence of events. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use, particularly in news and media. While common, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "at some stage" or "on one occasion" to maintain variety in writing. Remember to use this phrase to add temporal context and clarity to your narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at some stage

Indicates a non-specific time in the future or past, differing from specifying a particular instance.

at a certain moment

Emphasizes a specific instant, differing by highlighting a precise point in time rather than a period.

at one juncture

Replaces "point" with "juncture", suggesting a critical or significant time.

on one occasion

Focuses on a single instance or event, changing the emphasis from a general time to a specific occurrence.

at a given time

Highlights the specified nature of the moment, differing by adding a sense of precision.

during a moment

Specifies action occurring during an unspecified moment, emphasizing the duration and action over specific timing.

in a specific instance

Highlights the specific occurrence of the phrase, with emphasis on occurrence.

at that moment

Identifies a known previous moment or context.

for a time

Indicates that there was a period in which something was happening, adding the concept of duration.

once

Indicates something happened only one time.

FAQs

How can I use "at one point" in a sentence?

You can use "at one point" to refer to a specific time during a sequence of events. For example, "At one point, I thought I would fail the exam, but I eventually passed".

What phrases are similar to "at one point"?

Similar phrases include "at some stage", "at a certain moment", and "on one occasion". These can be used to add variety to your writing.

Is it correct to use "at one point in time" instead of "at one point"?

While "at one point in time" is grammatically correct, it can often be more verbose than necessary. "At one point" is generally sufficient and more concise, unless you specifically need to emphasize the aspect of time.

Can "at one point" refer to the future?

While less common, "at one point" can refer to a specific, imagined time in the future, particularly when discussing plans or possibilities. However, it's typically used to describe past events. Consider using "at some stage" or "eventually" when referring to future events.