at some time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at some time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an unspecified point in the past or future when something may occur or has occurred. Example: "I hope to visit Paris at some time during my travels in Europe."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So [UNINTELLIGIBLE] at some time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Everyone feels down at some time.

Harvard University

Everybody is a Bystander at some time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Everyone experiences pain at some time.

Harvard University

At some time, the EIM program will be challenged.

Making EIM Enterprise Information Management Work for Business

We all need help at some time from some one.

Stanford University

AUDIENCE: There at V at some time plus that.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I must have signed it at some time.

Yale University

"We're all selfish at some time, but she's so generous.

The New York Times

It probably happened at some time with Alabama at football.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

All of us have regrets at some time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at some time" when you want to indicate that something will happen or has happened without specifying exactly when. It's suitable for conveying a sense of imprecision or generality regarding timing.

Common error

Avoid using "at some time" excessively in your writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound vague or repetitive. Consider using more specific time references or alternatives like "eventually" or "sometime" to add clarity and variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at some time" functions as an adverbial phrase of time. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurs, albeit in a vague and non-specific manner. Ludwig AI indicates its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

News & Media

40%

Science

27%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at some time" is a versatile and grammatically sound adverbial phrase of time, widely used to denote an unspecified moment in the past or future. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and appropriate across various contexts, including academic, news, and scientific writing. While highly frequent, especially in Academia, News & Media, and Science, it’s essential to avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity. Alternatives such as "sometime" or "eventually" can add variety. The phrase’s neutral register makes it suitable for diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sometime

This alternative is a single word that is commonly used instead of "at some time" to indicate an unspecified time.

eventually

This alternative emphasizes that something will happen after a period.

sooner or later

This alternative indicates that something is inevitable and will happen at an unspecified time.

at a certain point

This alternative phrase suggests a specific but unspecified moment.

in due course

This alternative suggests that something will happen when the time is right or appropriate.

one day

This alternative refers to an unspecified day in the future.

at some stage

This alternative implies a phase or step in a process where something will occur.

in the future

This alternative is a general reference to a point after the present.

down the line

This alternative suggests an event happening later in a sequence or progression.

in time

This alternative refers to something happening eventually or after a period.

FAQs

How can I use "at some time" in a sentence?

Use "at some time" to indicate an unspecified moment in the past or future. For instance, "I hope to visit Japan "at some time"." It suggests the event is planned but the exact timing is not yet known.

What can I say instead of "at some time"?

You can use alternatives like "sometime", "eventually", or "sooner or later" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "at some time" or "sometime"?

Both ""at some time"" and "sometime" are correct, but they have slightly different usages. "At some time" is a prepositional phrase, while "sometime" is an adverb. "Sometime" is generally more concise and frequently used in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "at some time" and "at one time"?

"At some time" refers to an unspecified point, either past or future. "At one time" refers to a specific, often past, period or instance. For example, "At one time, this city was the capital," indicates a specific period in the past.