at same time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at same time" is not correct in English; it should be "at the same time." You can use it to indicate that two or more events are happening simultaneously.
Example: "I like to listen to music at the same time I study."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everyone trying to walk at same time.

The New York Times

This way me eat and learn at same time.

Harvard University

But at same time, troubling rumors floated through the department.

The New York Times

At same time, I just … I want to see it.

The New Yorker

At same time, party leaders are pushing internal change.

The New York Times

At same time, they will never use it.

The New Yorker

"At same time, there is an unease about information overload.

The Guardian

Both females attempted to cover eggs at same time.

The New Yorker

Not more than six shapes on counter at same time.

The New Yorker

Vehicle group received same volume of CMC at same time.

Nature

Man and shooter talk at same time, inaudible Shooter: "I haven't done anything here for [inaudible].

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more concise expression, consider using single-word alternatives like "simultaneously" or "concurrently".

Common error

A frequent mistake is leaving out the article "the" before "same". Remember to always write "at the same time" for grammatically sound sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at same time" functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to modify a verb or clause by indicating when something occurs. However, it's grammatically incorrect. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the correct form is "at the same time."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "at same time" is commonly used, it is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "at the same time". Ludwig AI highlights this distinction. Although widely found across diverse sources like news, science, and academia, its incorrect grammar places it in a more informal register. For formal writing, always include the article "the". Consider using alternatives like "simultaneously" or "concurrently" for concise and grammatically correct expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simultaneously

Replaces the phrase with a single word indicating events occurring at the same time.

concurrently

Similar to 'simultaneously', but often used in more formal or technical contexts.

at the same instant

Emphasizes the precise timing of events happening together.

in unison

Suggests a coordinated action or occurrence.

synchronously

Highlights the synchronized nature of events.

at once

Indicates events happening together without delay.

together

A simple way to convey events happening in conjunction.

in parallel

Suggests events unfolding alongside each other.

coincidentally

Implies events happening at the same time by chance.

during the same period

Focuses on the overlap in time between events.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "at same time"?

The grammatically correct way to express simultaneity is "at the same time". The omission of 'the' is a common error.

When can I use "simultaneously" instead of "at the same time"?

You can often replace "at the same time" with "simultaneously" for a more concise and formal tone. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the flow of your sentence.

What are some alternatives to "at the same time" for different contexts?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "concurrently" (more formal), "at once" (emphasizing immediacy), or simply "together".

Is "at same time" ever acceptable?

While "at same time" is often used, especially in informal contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. For formal writing, always use "at the same time".