at the time of

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the time of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a point in time when something happened or was occurring. For example, "At the time of the accident, we were driving down the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is it at the time of creation?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Q: At the time of the fire.

Cornell University

succession at the time of merger".

The New York Times

Three million at the time of Napoleon.

The Guardian

No luck at the time of writing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Drunk at the time, of course.

The New Yorker

Saipan at the time of the crime.

The New York Times - Magazine

as designated at the time of appointment by the Secretary.

Cornell University

The saw was fully assembled at the time of purchase.

Harvard University

at the time of this drawing - circa 1825.

Princeton University

Recipient must be living at the time of nomination.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the time of", ensure that the subsequent clause provides specific details relevant to that particular moment or period to maintain coherence.

Common error

Avoid using "at the time of" when a simpler preposition like "during" or "when" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose and less direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the time of" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a temporal clause. It specifies when an action or event occurred, providing a specific point in time for context. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

37%

News & Media

32%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the time of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to establish temporal context. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various writing styles, though its formality leans towards neutral to formal registers. While it's highly prevalent in academic, news, and scientific writing, ensure it adds clarity and precision without being unnecessarily redundant. Remember to use simpler alternatives in informal communication. This helps keep your writing clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the period of

This alternative uses "period" instead of "time", emphasizing a duration rather than a specific moment.

in the era of

This phrase is suitable when discussing events within a specific historical period or movement.

upon the occasion of

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a specific event or circumstance.

when

A more concise way to express simultaneity, suitable for simpler sentences.

as of

This phrase indicates a specific date or point from which something is true or effective.

at that moment

Emphasizes a particular instant when something occurred.

in those days

This alternative refers to a less precise period in the past.

during that era

Similar to "in the era of" but refers to a previously mentioned era.

while it happened

This phrasing is more direct and less formal, focusing on the concurrent nature of events.

as it transpired

This alternative adds a sense of unfolding or revelation to the timing.

FAQs

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

You can use "at the time of" to specify when an event occurred, such as "at the time of the accident" or "at the time of the meeting".

What phrases are similar to "at the time of"?

Similar phrases include /s/during+the+period+of, /s/in+the+era+of, or /s/upon+the+occasion+of, each offering a slightly different nuance regarding timing.

Is "at the time of" formal or informal?

"At the time of" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

Can I replace "at the time of" with "when"?

Yes, in many cases, "when" can replace "at the time of" for a more concise sentence structure, especially in less formal writing.