at separate times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at separate times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that events or actions occurred individually rather than simultaneously. Example: "The meetings were scheduled at separate times to accommodate everyone's availability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

At separate times, each parent spent about a month in jail last fall.

The New York Times - Sports

Standard evolutionary models suggest these different features appeared at separate times and for different reasons.

The Guardian

At separate times they have both been lauded as titans of social networking.

Independent

But I'd rather divide up my writing to do creative literature and editorial protests at separate times".

The New York Times - Books

Mrs. Singh's unorthodox path began in her early 20s after her parents and only brother had died, at separate times.

The New York Times

It is not certain which man was Ghiberti's father, for he claimed each as his father at separate times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The time-sharing multirate controller uses a multirate hold and multirate sampler acting at separate time intervals.

Systems and Human Science For Safety, Security, and Dependability

We examined changes in functional connectivity at separate time points during a known period of recovery after TBI [30], [31].

Plosone

The purpose of this study was to examine neural network properties at separate time-points during recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) using graph theory.

Plosone

When studied at separate time points the following patterns were observed: 53 spots were changed compared to control at 3 hours, 27 spots at 6 hours, 67 spots at 24 hours and 52 spots at 48 hours.

Plosone

Participants recruited for the study included 8 healthy adult control participants (HCs) (3 females, ages 19 51) and 8 individuals (3 females) sustaining severe TBI between the ages of 19 and 55 underwent MRI scanning at separate time-points.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at separate times" to clearly indicate that events or actions did not happen concurrently. This can help avoid ambiguity, especially when describing processes or schedules.

Common error

Avoid using "at separate times" when you actually mean "simultaneously but in different places". The phrase emphasizes temporal rather than spatial separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at separate times" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate when actions or events occur. Ludwig AI confirms that it emphasizes the non-simultaneous nature of the occurrences, as demonstrated by its usage across various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at separate times" is a versatile and frequently used adverbial phrase that clarifies the timing of events, emphasizing that they occurred individually rather than simultaneously. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. For more nuanced expressions, consider alternatives like "at different times" or "on different occasions". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the temporal separation you wish to convey, and avoid misusing it to indicate spatial separation. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "at separate times" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at different times

Emphasizes the difference in the point of occurrence, rather than separation between occurrences.

on different occasions

Highlights that the events happened on distinct instances.

at various junctures

Implies events occurring at different points, often in a more formal or literary context.

at distinct moments

Stresses the clearness in difference in the instants the events occur.

on separate instances

Similar to "on different occasions", but may suggest a more formal tone.

in staggered succession

Implies a sequential order with irregular intervals.

at intervals

Focuses on the spacing or gaps between occurrences.

at non-simultaneous moments

More formal and emphasizes the lack of simultaneity.

in discrete episodes

Highlights that occurrences are individual and distinct.

in asynchronous order

Emphasizes a lack of synchronization between events.

FAQs

How can I use "at separate times" in a sentence?

You can use "at separate times" to indicate that events or actions occurred individually rather than simultaneously. For example, "The meetings were scheduled "at separate times" to accommodate everyone's availability."

What's the difference between "at different times" and "at separate times"?

While similar, "at different times" is a more general term. "At separate times" emphasizes the distinctness or non-overlapping nature of the occurrences, suggesting they were deliberately spaced or isolated.

What are some alternatives to "at separate times"?

Alternatives include "at different times", "on different occasions", or "at various junctures", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "in separate times" instead of "at separate times"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "at". "In separate times" is not idiomatic and would sound unnatural to native English speakers. Always use "at separate times".