at the time when

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the time when" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually connects two clauses to create a timeline. For example, "At the time when the sun rose, I was still working in the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The maximum difference (about 40%) appears at the time when solitary wave reached the circular island.

Coastal Engineering

But at the time when this negotiation was ongoing, Mexico had yet to make that transition.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At the time when it happened I was 25, it was just so devastating.

Princeton University

The competitive transition happens in August, at the time when the DDA export event occurs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At the time when the ESA was passed, in the early 1970s, this was uncontroversial.

University of California, Berkeley

We were lacking in bite at the time when everything was decided.

Independent

"We are lowering our insurance just at the time when the pension fund needs it most".

The New York Times

Yet at the time when most people want to pursue it, stockmarkets tend to be shut.

The Economist

At the time when Wüthrich began his research, NMR worked best on small molecules.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This happened at the time when the rumour mills started grinding in earnest.

The Economist

The other part of the programme kicks in at the time when each movie comes out.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the time when" to clearly establish a chronological relationship between two events, ensuring that the timing is understood by the reader. Place the more familiar or established event in the "when" clause to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "at the time when" in simple sentences where "when" alone is sufficient. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. For example, instead of saying "I was young at the time when it happened", you can simply say "I was young when it happened".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the time when" functions as an adverbial conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies the timing of the main clause's event. It provides temporal context, indicating simultaneity or near simultaneity between the events described in both clauses. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

36%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the time when" serves as an adverbial conjunction to establish a chronological relationship between events, indicating simultaneity. It's grammatically correct and commonly used, as verified by Ludwig. While versatile, be mindful of redundancy in simpler sentences. The phrase appears frequently in science, news, and academic writing. For alternatives, consider "during the period when" or "while it was happening". By using "at the time when" judiciously, you can enhance clarity and temporal context in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the period when

Replaces "at the time" with "during the period", emphasizing the duration.

while it was happening

Focuses on the concurrent nature of events, using a more concise phrasing.

as it occurred

Replaces "at the time" with "as", creating a more direct connection between events.

at that moment

Substitutes "time when" with "moment", emphasizing a specific point in time.

when it transpired

Uses "transpired" for a more formal tone, highlighting the occurrence of an event.

in those days

Refers to a less specific period, suitable for historical contexts.

back when that happened

Emphasizes a past event in a more conversational manner.

upon its occurrence

Highlights the immediacy of a reaction or consequence.

in the midst of it

Emphasizes being within an ongoing situation.

during that era

Implies a longer span of time and a specific period in history or development.

FAQs

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

Use "at the time when" to connect two clauses, indicating that one event occurred simultaneously or within the same timeframe as another. For instance, "I felt nervous "at the time when" I was giving my speech".

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

Similar phrases include "during the period when", "while it was happening", and "as it occurred". These alternatives can provide variety and nuance to your writing.

Is it redundant to use "at the time when"?

In some cases, yes. If the context is clear, using just "when" might be more concise. However, ""at the time when"" emphasizes the simultaneity of the events more strongly.

What's the difference between "at the time when" and "at that time"?

"At the time when" introduces a clause that provides context or describes a situation occurring simultaneously with the main event. "At that time" usually refers back to a specific point in time previously mentioned in the text.