at this clock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at this clock" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a specific time or location related to a clock, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "Please meet me at this clock in the town square at noon."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At this clock frequency, the MIMOSA 26 integration time equals 115.2 μs, allowing for about 8680 frames to be read out per second.

EPJ Techniques and Instrumentation

Furthermore, barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) show substantial variation in migratory phenotype, but very little variation at this CLOCK polymorphism.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Unless you're looking at this troubling clock, which you can, it appears, manipulate with a simple right-click of the mouse.

The New Yorker

2. All the usual suspects -- eggbeater, scale, spoon and so on -- show up inside the shiny aluminum border of this clock; $39.95 at Broadway Panhandler, 477 Broome Street (Wooster Street).

The New York Times

I hadn't bothered looking at the clock this time, so the eruption took me by surprise.

The New York Times - Travel

Glance at the clock – this is going to take about 18 minutes – and add the first ladleful of warm stock, and stir until this, too, is absorbed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The way in which Tom Hanks, a pro at this palaver, clocked the overrun, marched on, skipped the final countdown, undid the envelope, and pronounced the words "The Hurt Locker" as if slipping his wife some plain, though not unwelcome, news about the size of their grocery bill?

The New Yorker

Is this a record?" Barker looked at the clock: "6.15?

The Guardian

Look at the clock".

The New York Times

Everitt looked at the clock.

The New Yorker

I looked at the clock.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at this clock" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more standard alternatives like "at this time" or "according to this clock" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

A common mistake is using "at this clock" when the intention is to refer to a specific time. Instead, use "at this time" to convey the meaning of a particular moment. "At this clock" might only be appropriate when physically located at or near a specific clock and using it as a point of reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at this clock" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to specify a location or time reference. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is generally considered incorrect and unclear in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at this clock" is an unusual construction that is not generally considered correct in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it often lacks clarity and is better replaced with alternatives like "at this time" or "according to this clock". While Ludwig's examples do show some instances of the phrase's use, it is still rare. You can find it in News & Media and Science contexts. For clearer and more effective communication, avoiding "at this clock" and opting for more conventional phrasing is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at this time

Replaces "clock" with a more general term for a specific moment.

at this hour

Similar to "at this time", specifying the hour.

by this clock

Indicates a deadline or reference point based on what a clock indicates.

according to this clock

Highlights that the information is based on the specific clock being referenced.

at this reading

Focuses on the specific time shown on the clock.

at the moment the clock shows

Emphasizes the visual aspect and the exact reading on the clock.

when the clock reaches this

Indicates a future point in time as indicated by the clock.

as shown by this clock

Highlights the specific clock as the source of the time.

based on this clock's timing

Focuses on timing and synchronization related to the clock.

referencing this clock

More generally points to using the clock as a reference.

FAQs

How can I use the concept of time reference correctly?

Instead of using the potentially confusing phrase "at this clock", opt for more precise alternatives. For a specific time, use "at this time". If you mean according to a specific clock's reading, clarify by saying "according to this clock".

What can I say instead of "at this clock" to indicate a specific moment?

To refer to a particular moment, it's better to use phrases like "at this time" or "at this hour". These are more conventional and easily understood.

Is "at this clock" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "at this clock" is unconventional and can sound awkward. It's generally better to rephrase using clearer alternatives. Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect.

When is it acceptable to use "at this clock"?

The phrase "at this clock" is appropriate to use only when you want to point out location and you are physically in front of or very near to a specific clock. Otherwise, using "at this time" or "at this hour" provides more clarity.