at the very same time

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

AT THE VERY SAME TIME, I am close friends with gay people, I work with gay people, and I have gay people in my own family.

Vice

At the very same time, today's parliamentary Conservative Party is the most sceptical ever.

The Economist

It can generate the most electricity at the very same time that air-conditioning is needed.

The New York Times

Heinrichs knows she escaped two rugged opponents at the very same time tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

You report that wages are stagnating at the very same time that profits are soaring.

The New York Times

McKinnon's Hillary is stiff and robotic, but also, almost at the very same time, full of sexuality and swagger.

The New Yorker

Yet at the very same time, Mr. Bloomberg flew to California to speak in favor of a referendum on changing how officials there were elected.

The New York Times

So, the other night, at the very same time, we had Panorama on Newsnight on BBC1, and Newsnight on Newsnight on BBC2.

Independent

The complexity lies in the viewers, loving the fiction of the past at the very same time that they fear and resent the truth of the present.

Independent

Yet, at the very same time, the dissidents noted pollsters had detected a pattern of Labour leaking support not just in Scotland.

The Guardian

At the very same time, on Radio 1, the top 40 singles chart was being revealed to those few pop fans who weren't watching ITV1.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "simultaneously" or "concurrently" for a more concise and formal tone, particularly in academic or business writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at the very same time" when the sentence already implies simultaneity. For example, instead of saying "She was studying and, at the very same time, listening to music", simplify it to "She was studying while listening to music".

Linguistic Context

At the very same time functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate simultaneity. As demonstrated in Ludwig, this phrase connects actions occurring concurrently. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the very same time" is a grammatically sound and very commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to emphasize the simultaneous occurrence of events. As Ludwig AI validates, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where its emphasis on concurrence adds impact. While ""simultaneously"" or ""concurrently"" offer more concise alternatives for formal settings, "at the very same time" provides a valuable option when highlighting a noteworthy coincidence or contrast. Remember to avoid redundancy and ensure the phrase adds meaningful emphasis to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simultaneously

A more concise and formal adverb indicating that two things happen at the same time.

concurrently

Similar to 'simultaneously' but often used when processes or activities happen together.

at once

Implies that things happen together or immediately.

in unison

Suggests a coordinated action or occurrence.

synchronously

Highlights the synchronized nature of events.

at the same instant

Emphasizes the precise moment of occurrence.

at the identical moment

Similar to 'at the same instant' but with a slightly different nuance.

in parallel

Suggests that processes occur independently but at the same time.

coincidentally

Implies that events happen together by chance.

contemporaneously

A more formal way of saying 'at the same time'.

FAQs

What does "at the very same time" mean?

The phrase "at the very same time" means that two or more things are happening "simultaneously" or concurrently. It emphasizes that the events occur together.

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

You can use "at the very same time" to show that two actions or events are happening together. For example, "He was working on his computer at the very same time that his wife was cooking dinner."

What are some alternatives to "at the very same time"?

Some alternatives include "simultaneously", "concurrently", "at once", or "at the same time". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is there a difference between "at the same time" and "at the very same time"?

While both phrases indicate simultaneity, "at the very same time" adds emphasis. It highlights that the events are happening not just at the same general period, but precisely "simultaneously".