at the selfsame hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the selfsame hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time that is the same as another mentioned time, often in a literary or formal context. Example: "The two events occurred at the selfsame hour, marking a significant moment in history."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Representative Sentence: "All our lives we've been looking for something, in the end for everything imaginable, and never finding it, always wanting to achieve everything and not succeeding, or else achieving it and losing it at the selfsame moment".

Vice

I was there at the appointed hour.

Forbes

166 Rawlinson p141 They add this tale too, — that Gelon and Theron won a victory over Amilcas the Carchedonian p481 in Sicily on the selfsame day whereon the Greeks vanquished the Persian at Salamis.

University of Chicago

To say that properties are universals is to say that the selfsame property can be instantiated by numerically distinct things, at least in typical cases.

SEP

You can regard these pictures with the selfsame certainty.

The New Yorker

"The Sanspotato is of the selfsame stuff as the superfinest Lord Lieutenant.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is for the selfsame reason that I brought Sammy Davis, Jr., Jr., with us.

The New Yorker

"MoD fury as Brown wields axe", reports the lead in the selfsame paper.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now behold, the PBS adaptation of Hilary Mantel's prizewinning examinations of the selfsame era, (2009) and (2012).

Britannica

A mere grand slam, one might add, if we're sticking to the broader perspectives offered by the selfsame lessons of history.

The Times

These accusations all contained some truth, though the selfsame accusers denied women the vote, bolstered racist patriarchy and enthroned mainstream Protestantism as something of a state religion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the selfsame hour" sparingly, primarily in formal or literary contexts where its archaic tone is appropriate. In contemporary writing, consider using more common alternatives like "at the same time" for clarity and broader accessibility.

Common error

Avoid using "at the selfsame hour" in everyday conversations or informal writing. Its archaic nature can sound pretentious or out of place, potentially confusing or alienating your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the selfsame hour" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the time at which an action occurs. Given the limited examples, its usage is best reserved for specific contexts as deemed fit by the author.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the selfsame hour" is a grammatically sound but uncommon way to indicate that two events occurred simultaneously. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. Due to its archaic nature, it is best suited for formal or literary contexts. Consider using more common alternatives like "at the same time" or "simultaneously" for clarity in modern writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the same time

Replaces the archaic "selfsame" with a more common term for identical timing.

simultaneously

Uses an adverb to indicate that events occur together without any time lag.

at that very hour

Emphasizes the specific time being referred to, adding a sense of importance.

at the identical hour

Substitutes "selfsame" with "identical" which provides a similar sense of exactness.

at the appointed hour

Implies a pre-arranged time, suitable when referring to scheduled events.

at the precise moment

Shifts the focus to a specific point in time rather than an hour.

at the exact time

Similar to 'at the same time' but stresses precision.

concurrently

A more formal adverb indicating that events happen at the same time.

in that very moment

Focuses on a brief period, adding emotional intensity.

at one and the same time

Uses a slightly more emphatic construction to indicate simultaneity.

FAQs

What does "at the selfsame hour" mean?

It means "at the same time" or "at that very hour". The word "selfsame" is an archaic term for "very same" or "identical".

Is it better to say "at the same time" or "at the selfsame hour"?

"At the same time" is generally preferred in modern English due to its simplicity and wider understanding. "At the selfsame hour" is more appropriate for formal or literary contexts.

How can I use "at the selfsame hour" in a sentence?

You might say, "The treaty was signed in London and Washington "at the same time", though precisely calculating "at the selfsame hour" would require accounting for time zone differences."

Are there any synonyms for "at the selfsame hour"?

Yes, alternatives include "simultaneously", "at that very hour", or "at the identical hour".