at the time

USAGE SUMMARY

'at the time' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something happened during a specific moment in the past. Example sentence: "At the time, I thought it was a good idea, but now I realize it was a mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the time [C.

Independent

At the time, anyway".

The New York Times - Sports

At the time, Meretz refused.

The New Yorker

It didn't at the time.

The New Yorker

His age at the time?

Independent

Dues at the time: $5.

The New York Times - Sports

Mae looked at the time.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the time, not really.

The New Yorker

Italian journalist at the time.

The New York Times

"It was highly controversial at the time.

The New Yorker

I defended my usage at the time.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the time" to clearly specify that something was true or occurred during a particular period in the past, especially when contrasting it with the present or a later time. For example: "At the time, I believed his story; now, I know better."

Common error

Avoid using "at the time" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "then", "back then", or "during that period" to maintain a smoother, less repetitive flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred or a state existed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its role in specifying temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to specify when something occurred in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Its primary function is to provide temporal context, anchoring events to a specific moment or period. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, but appropriate for a wide variety of registers. While "at the time" is very common, it is a good practice to avoid overuse by employing synonyms such as "back then" or "during that period". It’s important not to confuse its meaning with that of other temporal phrases like "in the meantime".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

back then

This alternative is a shorter, more informal way to refer to a past time.

at that moment

This phrase emphasizes a specific point in time, rather than a broader period.

during that period

This alternative highlights a longer duration of time, providing a broader context.

in those days

This phrase evokes a sense of nostalgia, referring to a past era or time.

at that stage

This alternative focuses on a particular point in a process or development.

at that juncture

This phrase indicates a critical or decisive point in time.

in that era

This alternative emphasizes a specific historical period or epoch.

at such time

This phrase is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "at the time".

when it happened

This alternative focuses on the occurrence of an event as the reference point.

at which point

This phrase indicates the exact moment when something changed or occurred.

FAQs

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

Use "at the time" to specify when something occurred or was true in the past. For instance, "At the time, I didn't understand the implications of my decision".

What's a more formal alternative to "at the time"?

A more formal alternative could be "at that juncture" or "at such time", although these can sound somewhat archaic depending on the context.

Is "at the time that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "at the time that" is grammatically correct but often sounds redundant. Using just "at the time" is usually sufficient and more concise.

How does "at the time" compare to "in the meantime"?

"At the time" refers to a specific point in the past, while "in the meantime" refers to the interval between two events. They serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.