at their time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular moment or era in history. For example: "The Great Plague of London devastated the city at their time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They would have to learn a new theatrical language - at their time of life.

The Guardian

Smartphone apps have emerged as valuable research tools to sample human behaviours at their time of occurrence within natural environments.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

Interns at ILI-ACLE take part in any number of activities that are on-going at their time of internship.

Columbia University

He loved being a physician and has helped countless familes at their time of distress and need.

The New York Times

He believed that if women went into the sheds at their time of the month they'd prevent mushroom spores germinating.

The Guardian

Some characteristics of this population are a high rate of masculinity, youthfulness at their time arrival in Spain and, low levels of education.

Princeton University

It is appropriate that the cast members of "Take Me Home Tonight" look back at their time filming the movie as just such a moment.

The New York Times

"The truth is that, despite the public support offered at their time of need, our bankers have not always treated their customers as they should.

The Guardian

Therefore, veterans and their families need long-term treatment options and long-term access to treatment, even if symptoms are not present at their time of discharge.

The New York Times

As did the stern message that girls should not go swimming at their time of month and must change five times a day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It can be found in the darkest tragedies – the hero reconnecting families after the earthquake, or the volunteers reaching out to refugees at their time of need.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical contexts, use "at their time" to emphasize the prevailing norms or conditions that influenced people or events.

Common error

Ensure that the timeframe referenced by "at their time" is clear to your reader. If the time period is ambiguous, provide additional context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something occurred or was valid for a particular group of people. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

44%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at their time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to specify a temporal context relevant to a particular group. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, notably in science and news media. It serves to provide temporal context, highlighting the circumstances or conditions that prevailed during the specified period. While acceptable in both formal and informal settings, clarity regarding the timeframe is crucial. Related phrases include "during their era" and "in their day", offering alternative ways to express similar temporal relationships. By avoiding vagueness and ensuring contextual clarity, writers can effectively use "at their time" to enhance their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during their era

Emphasizes a longer period, a specific historical or cultural period.

in their day

Refers to a period when someone was prominent or active.

at that point in their lives

Highlights a specific stage in someone's personal timeline.

when they lived

Focuses on the period of existence.

in their generation

Relates to the timeframe of a particular cohort of people.

at their age

Refers to a specific point in their lifespan or development.

during their period

Highlights a duration or phase of their activity.

in those days

Indicates a time in the past, often with nostalgic connotations.

back then

A simple way to denote a past time.

at that moment

Refers to a single specific point in the past.

FAQs

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

Use "at their time" to specify that something was relevant or true during a particular period for a group of people. For example, "The medical practices were considered advanced "at their time"".

What are some alternatives to using "at their time"?

You can use alternatives such as "during their era", "in their day", or "when they lived" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different emphasis on the period being referenced.

Is "at their time" formal or informal?

The phrase "at their time" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "at their time" and "in our time"?

"At their time" refers to a past period relevant to a specific group, while "in our time" refers to the present period from the speaker's perspective. The former is retrospective, while the latter is contemporary.