at the same time that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the same time that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two events or actions are occurring simultaneously. Example: "She was studying for her exams at the same time that she was working part-time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the same time, that audience is getting richer.

The New York Times

At the same time, that means the corporations are now paying attention to concerns, Soule says.

Stanford University

"It's looking like they were on the same path at the same time," that official said.

The Washington Post

At the same time, that view undermines one of stardom's most powerful lures — mystery.

The New York Times

At the same time, that doesn't mean the poll isn't instructive.

The Washington Post

"At the same time, that can cause people to be apologists for all that behavior.

The Washington Post

But at the same time, that can't stop you from going out and doing your job".

The New York Times - Sports

When you ask for both at the same time, that reduces the pool".

The New York Times - Sports

At the same time, that complements what we're trying to do throwing the ball".

The New York Times - Sports

There's a sophistication and informality at the same time that makes it work".

The New York Times - Arts

And averaging that and winning at the same time, that speaks volumes about my character.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the same time that", ensure that the clauses you are connecting are clearly related and that the simultaneity enhances the meaning of the sentence. This helps avoid awkward or confusing constructions.

Common error

Avoid using "at the same time that" to connect clauses that have no logical or thematic connection. This phrase implies a meaningful simultaneity, so ensure the connected ideas are genuinely related.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the same time that" functions as a subordinating conjunction, connecting two clauses to indicate that they occur simultaneously. It establishes a temporal relationship between the events described in each clause, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the same time that" is a versatile conjunction used to indicate simultaneity between two events or actions. It is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig, across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. While simpler alternatives like "while" or "as" exist, "at the same time that" provides a more explicit and emphatic connection. When using this phrase, ensure that the connected clauses are logically related and that the simultaneity adds value to the overall meaning. By avoiding misuse with unrelated clauses and considering context-appropriate alternatives, writers can effectively use "at the same time that" to enhance clarity and precision in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simultaneously as

This phrase directly indicates actions happening together but is slightly more concise.

concurrently when

Emphasizes the overlap in time, suitable for formal contexts; changes the structure slightly.

while

A shorter, more common way to indicate simultaneous events.

as

Similar to "while" but can also imply cause and effect, so context is crucial.

just as

Emphasizes the parallel nature of the events, adding a sense of mirroring.

in the instant that

Highlights the immediacy and precision of the simultaneity.

during the period when

More descriptive and formal, specifying a time frame for simultaneous events.

in sync with when

Implies synchronization or coordination between the events.

coincident with when

Highlights the chance or unexpected nature of the events occurring together.

in parallel with when

Suggests that the events are developing or progressing alongside each other.

FAQs

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

Use "at the same time that" to show that two actions or events are happening concurrently. For example: "She was studying for her exams "at the same time that" she was working part-time."

What can I say instead of "at the same time that"?

You can use alternatives like "simultaneously as", "while", or "just as" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "at the same time that"?

While not strictly redundant, "at the same time that" can sometimes be replaced with simpler alternatives like "while" or "as" for conciseness, depending on the desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "at the same time that" and "meanwhile"?

"At the same time that" explicitly connects two related events happening concurrently within the same sentence. "Meanwhile" is used to introduce a separate, simultaneous event, often in a different sentence or context.