at the same time instead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the same time instead" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to combine two different ideas, but it lacks clarity and coherence. Example: "I wanted to go for a walk, but at the same time instead, I decided to stay home."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

At the same time, instead of hinting at homoeroticism, he foregrounded it.

The New Yorker

The first thing we did was to build a harmonizer that could play twelve voice at the same time instead of four.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At the same time, instead of the road having nice, nurturing banking to help guide the car through the turn, the road was off camber.

The New York Times

Hospital workers could coordinate so that one disruption serves multiple needs: a blood draw and a vitals check at the same time instead of two hours apart.

The New York Times

This modeling approach allows for the implementation of a combined model representing material and energy flows and bottle necks in machine capacities at the same time (instead of using two different models with different software tools).

Procedia Environmental Sciences

Florida will also have to figure out how to get all facets of its offense playing well at the same time, instead of having to rely so heavily on its special teams and its defense producing turnovers.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

When government spokesmen use overwrought language, it's because they're about to lie When people use words such as "concurrently" instead of "at the same time", or say, "I myself", I just go, "Agh!".

Independent

Another, and more important one, was "make a choice". For my studio review, critics complained that I attempted to develop five projects at the same time, when instead I should just follow through with one idea.

Cornell University

At the same time, though, instead of delivering righteous condemnation, the United States should seize upon the melamine scandal as an opportunity to pass federal fertilizer standards backed by consistent testing for this compound, which could very well be hidden in plain sight.

The New York Times

A woman could be emotional, intellectual, mysterious, free and intuitive, sexually liberated, spontaneous and passionate all at the same time -- instead of repressed and formulaic the way her mother was.

Huffington Post

For those who proudly identify as multitaskers, understand that your brain is not built to perform two tasks at the same time -- instead, it must switch quickly from task to unrelated task.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey simultaneous actions or states, use concise alternatives like "simultaneously" or "concurrently". If contrasting two ideas occurring at the same time, consider using "while" or "conversely" for better clarity.

Common error

Don't use "at the same time instead" when you actually want to express a preference or substitution. Instead, choose either a phrase that clearly indicates simultaneity (e.g. "concurrently") or one that shows replacement (e.g. "alternatively").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the same time instead" attempts to combine two distinct functions: indicating simultaneity and expressing substitution. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this combination creates grammatical awkwardness and a lack of clarity. It's often used incorrectly when the intention is to show a preference or contrast, not a simultaneous action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the same time instead" is a grammatically dubious construction that tries to merge simultaneity with substitution. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect, which explains why skilled writers prefer clear, distinct expressions. While it does appear in various sources, especially in News & Media, its use is generally discouraged for clear communication. It's better to opt for alternatives like "simultaneously", "conversely", or "alternatively", depending on whether you're highlighting concurrent actions or expressing a preference. Use best practices and common errors described to guide your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simultaneously rather

Emphasizes that two things occur concurrently, with a preference for one over the other.

concurrently as opposed to

Highlights that two things happen at the same time, contrasting them directly.

while conversely

Indicates that two things occur together, but with opposite or contrasting effects.

in conjunction but

Suggests that two things are linked but introduces a contrasting element.

at once but

Highlights the simultaneity and introduces a contrast or exception.

at the same moment however

Emphasizes precise timing of two events and introduces a contradiction or shift.

together in spite of

Implies that two things coexist despite a potential conflict or obstacle.

at the same period and yet

Emphasizes two things happening in the same timeframe, followed by a contrast.

synchronously not

Highlights that two things could have been happening together, but are not.

in sync only

Suggests that two elements align in time, but with limitations or exclusivity.

FAQs

What's wrong with using "at the same time instead"?

The phrase "at the same time instead" is generally considered grammatically awkward and unclear. It attempts to combine the ideas of simultaneity and substitution, which can be confusing for the reader. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment.

How can I express simultaneous actions and contrast them effectively?

Use conjunctions like "while" or adverbs like "simultaneously" with a contrasting conjunction. For example: "The company increased its marketing budget "while at the same time" reducing its workforce."

What are some alternatives to "at the same time instead" for showing a preference?

To indicate a preference or substitution, use phrases like "alternatively", "conversely", or "as opposed to". These options clearly convey that one action or state is chosen over another.

When is it acceptable to use "at the same time instead"?

While generally discouraged, "at the same time instead" might be used in informal speech or writing where the context makes the intended meaning clear. However, for formal or professional communication, it's best to use more precise language. If you need assistance with phrasing, consider consulting resources like Ludwig.