at that time when

USAGE SUMMARY

"at that time when" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to a specific moment or event in the past. Some examples of when it can be used include: - "At that time when I saw him, he was wearing a red shirt." (referring to a specific moment in the past when the speaker saw someone wearing a red shirt) - "She was a successful businesswoman at that time when women were not often seen in leadership roles." (referring to a specific era or period in the past) - "At that time when I was living in Paris, I used to take long walks along the Seine." (referring to a specific time in the past when the speaker lived in Paris).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The Edible Woman came out just at that time when the movement was rolling out.

Independent

At that time when we were coming up there were so many groups in Detroit.

Independent

I think at that time when he threw the stone Reza died".

The Guardian

The pair were rivals at that time, when Black owned the Telegraph newspaper group.

The Guardian

"In London at that time, when you called for extras, you got white people.

The New York Times

Fair enough, but the dogs had to be there at that time when humans and Neanderthals overlapped.

The New York Times - Science

Alas, at that time, when access was so easy, I still believed that Walter Holmes had fallen at Gallipoli.

The Guardian

I saw Reza Barati was still alive at that time when he was lying on the wire floor.

The Guardian

Mr. Vergès insists that their first meeting took place at that time when he was named as Carlos's lawyer.

The New York Times

First of all, Shell was not good at that time when it came to communicating our financial outlook.

The New York Times

"At that time when I was laying on the floor, I expected somebody to do something -- to push, to shove.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at that time when", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific time frame being referenced to avoid ambiguity. This phrase is useful for emphasizing the circumstances or conditions present during a particular period.

Common error

Avoid using "at that time when" when a simpler phrase like "at that time" or "when" suffices. The added "when" can sometimes create unnecessary redundancy, especially if the temporal relationship is already clear from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at that time when" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a time clause, specifying a particular moment or period in the past. It connects a main clause to a subordinate clause that provides temporal context. Ludwig's examples show its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

26%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at that time when" is a grammatically correct phrase used to specify a past moment, often providing context for an event. While it can be slightly redundant, Ludwig's examples indicate its common usage across various domains, including news, science, and general writing. Remember to consider conciseness and clarity when using this phrase, as simpler alternatives may sometimes be more effective. As Ludwig AI confirmed, the phrase can be used in written English. Although sometimes the 'when' is redundant, it is still widely used and considered acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the time that

Removes "when" altogether, creating a slightly more concise phrasing. However, the meaning is still preserved.

during that period when

Replaces "time" with "period", emphasizing a duration rather than a specific moment.

at the moment that

Substitutes "time" with "moment", highlighting a more precise instance.

in those days when

Uses the more informal "in those days" to refer to a time in the past.

back then when

Employs the colloquial "back then" for a simpler reference to the past.

during the era when

Substitutes "time" with "era", connoting a longer historical period.

on that occasion when

Replaces "time" with "occasion", specifying a particular event.

in that era when

Similar to 'during the era when,' but uses 'in' instead.

at that stage when

Emphasizes a specific phase or point in a process or development.

at that juncture when

Uses the more formal "juncture" to refer to a specific point in time.

FAQs

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

You can use "at that time when" to refer to a specific moment or period in the past, as in "At that time when I lived in Paris, I used to visit museums every day".

What phrases are similar to "at that time when"?

Similar phrases include "at the time that", "during that period when", and "back then when", each offering a slightly different nuance in specifying a past moment or duration.

Is it grammatically correct to say "at that time when"?

Yes, "at that time when" is grammatically correct, though sometimes it can be slightly redundant. Using just "at that time" or just "when" can often be more concise and equally effective.

What's the difference between "at that time" and "at that time when"?

While both phrases refer to a point in the past, "at that time" is generally more direct and concise. Adding "when" in "at that time when" can emphasize the circumstances or conditions present during that specific period but is not always necessary.