at what time

USAGE SUMMARY

"at what time" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it as a question or when referring to a specific time. For example: "At what time is the appointment scheduled for?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At what time does it occur?

Yale University

(b) At what time in relation to your menses?

The New York Times

At what time of day do they air?

The New York Times

At what time each day was the ball dropped?

The New York Times

He was wondering at what time Captain Ambrose started work.

The New York Times - Magazine

We know where the rockets were launched from, and at what time.

The New York Times

It was unclear at what time the event's medical staff began treating him.

The New York Times

"They even approve the lists of which magistrates are on duty and at what time".

The New York Times

If not, at what time are they the closest to forming an equilateral triangle?

The New York Times

You will be able to see who has left the comment, and at what time.

Columbia University

Under what set of circumstances and at what time would it be most advantageous to proceed?

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at what time" when you need a specific answer about when something occurs or is scheduled. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "at what time" when "when" or "what time" is sufficient. For example, instead of "At what time will the meeting start at?", use "What time will the meeting start?" or "When will the meeting start?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at what time" functions primarily as an interrogative adverbial phrase. According to Ludwig, its purpose is to introduce a question that seeks specific temporal information. It modifies the verb in the sentence to pinpoint the moment of an event or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

27%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at what time" is a versatile interrogative phrase used to inquire about specific times across various contexts. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources. While slightly more formal, it remains appropriate for both casual and professional settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid redundancy by not including 'at' twice. Alternatives such as "when" or "what time" may be more suitable in informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when exactly

Focuses on pinpointing the specific moment.

what time specifically

Emphasizes the need for precise timing information.

at which hour

A more formal or archaic way of asking about the time.

by what time

Inquires about the deadline or latest possible time.

around what time

Seeks an approximate time, allowing for some flexibility.

on what occasion

Shifts the focus from the specific time to the event or circumstance.

at what stage

Refers to a point in a process or sequence, rather than clock time.

at what juncture

Similar to "at what stage", indicating a critical moment.

at what point

Asks about a specific moment during a process or event.

when should I expect it

Focuses on when something is anticipated to happen.

FAQs

How do I use "at what time" in a sentence?

Use "at what time" to ask for the specific time something will happen. For example: "At what time does the movie start?"

What's a more casual way to ask "at what time?"

Informally, you can simply ask "what time" or "when".

Is it better to use "at what time" or "when"?

Both are correct, but "at what time" is slightly more formal. "When" is suitable for most everyday conversations.

Can I use "at what time" to refer to past events?

Yes, you can use "at what time" to ask about past events. For example: "At what time did you arrive yesterday?"