back at the time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back at the time" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used to refer to a time in the more distant past, typically when the speaker is reminiscing. For example, "Back at the time, we all had shaggy haircuts and wore bell bottoms!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You can also look back at the time you ate all the cake and left none for anyone else.

Huffington Post

There was none of that back at the time".

The New York Times

"We did a lot of looking back at the time," Hansen said.

The Guardian - Sport

Members of the board did not push back at the time.

The New York Times

I have asked this of the people who were running Yahoo back at the time when we started.

The New York Times

Alice Paul was a major figure in the American suffragist movement, back at the time of the First World War.

The New Yorker

Eddie is the grown-up grandson, looking back at the time his grandmother left his grandfather for another man.

The New York Times

She was in a room in the back at the time; everyone but her managed to run from the house.

The New York Times

"Back at the time this lineage came out of Africa, it had to have been a distinct group, perhaps a distinct species," he said.

The New York Times - Science

The new status of fashion became obvious some years back, at the time it changed its name to "style" or "trend".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I spit back at the times".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back at the time" to clearly indicate you are referring to a specific period or event in the past, especially when contrasting it with the present situation.

Common error

Avoid using "back at the time" when "at the time" would suffice for recent events. "Back at the time" emphasizes a more distant or significantly different past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back at the time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something occurred or was the case. Ludwig shows many examples where this phrase introduces context about a past situation. As supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back at the time" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to specify a period in the past, often to contrast it with the present. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial phrase providing temporal context and commonly appears in news and media, scientific writing, and wiki articles. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to be mindful of potential confusion with the shorter form "at the time", which may be more appropriate for recent events. Alternatives include "in those days" and "at that point in time". Based on Ludwig's analysis, using "back at the time" effectively involves emphasizing a more distant or significantly different past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the time

Shorter version, can lack the emphasis on a more distant past.

back then

Informal way to reference the past.

in those days

Focuses on a period, often with a nostalgic connotation.

at that point in time

More formal and precise, indicating a specific moment.

during that era

Refers to a longer historical period, often associated with specific characteristics.

in retrospect

Highlights a reflection on the past with the benefit of hindsight.

looking back

Emphasizes a personal reflection on past experiences.

in previous times

A more elaborate way to talk about older times.

formerly

Highlights a previous state or condition.

at an earlier stage

Implies a progression or development from a prior state.

FAQs

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

You can use "back at the time" to refer to a specific period in the past, such as: "Back at the time, there were far fewer computers in schools".

What's the difference between "at the time" and "back at the time"?

"At the time" refers to a specific moment, while "back at the time" often suggests a more distant past or a period with different conditions.

Which is more formal, "at that time" or "back at the time"?

"At that time" is generally considered more formal. "Back at the time" can be used in both formal and informal settings, but leans towards a conversational tone.

What are some alternatives to using "back at the time"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "in those days", "at that point in time", or "during that era".