because at that time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'because at that time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are giving a reason or explanation for something that happened in the past. For example: "We decided to postpone the meeting because at that time, several members of the team were unavailable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I suspect it was because, at that time, the magnitude of Husband's offending was not known".

The Guardian

Van Gaal said Depay might have signed for PSG "because at that time he was not reached [contacted] by me.

The Guardian - Sport

Had 'Die Vögel' been written in 1875, would we listen to it differently because, at that time, it would have been progressive?

The New York Times - Arts

The search was focused on trials published later than 1975, because at that time testosterone assays became widespread and more reliable.

European Journal of Endocrinology

We originally chose the SCC mec PCR developed by Zhang et al. (2 ) because at that time it was the method of choice in many published papers.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Aβ1-42 was chosen because of its superior aggregating properties and because, at that time, it was thought to constitute the nucleus of any amyloid plaque formation.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Because at that time, he meant something".

The Guardian - Music

"Because, at that time, his surroundings were not calm".

The New Yorker

That's why we started our own comedy nights, because at that time Jongleurs was weird.

Independent

– because at that time everything was extremely tough and meant for men.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No I couldn't, because at that time you had to be able to play an instrument.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "because at that time" to clearly indicate that the reason you're providing was specifically relevant to a past point in time, ensuring clarity in historical context.

Common error

Avoid using "because at that time" when explaining current or ongoing situations. This phrase is best suited for reasons specific to a past context. For present scenarios, opt for "because" or "since".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "because at that time" functions as a causal adverbial phrase. It connects a cause to an effect, specifying that the cause was relevant during a particular period in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "because at that time" is a grammatically correct and frequently used causal phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to explain a past occurrence by specifying the reason was pertinent to that specific time. While usable in various contexts, it's most common in news and scientific writing, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. For alternatives, phrases like "since back then" or "given the circumstances then" can be considered. Ensure its use is limited to past contexts to avoid sounding awkward in contemporary explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

since back then

Replaces "because" with "since" and uses "back then" instead of "at that time".

that being the case then

States the reason as a direct consequence of the situation at that time.

as things stood then

Indicates the reason was based on the state of affairs at that specific time.

considering the situation then

Similar to "given the circumstances", but focuses specifically on the situation.

in light of the situation then

Implies a decision was made based on understanding or realizing the circumstances at the time.

given the circumstances then

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the circumstances that led to the reason.

on account of the situation at the time

A slightly more formal substitute, placing emphasis on the situation.

due to the conditions prevailing then

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing the reason based on prevailing conditions.

owing to the facts then

Highlights that the reason is directly linked to specific facts that were true at the time.

seeing as how it was then

An informal way of indicating the reason based on how things were at that point.

FAQs

How can I use "because at that time" in a sentence?

You can use "because at that time" to explain a past action or situation, such as, "The project was delayed "because at that time" key personnel were unavailable."

What's a more formal alternative to "because at that time"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "given the circumstances then" or "due to the conditions prevailing then".

Is it incorrect to just use "because" instead of "because at that time"?

Using just "because" is often correct and sufficient, especially if the timing is already clear from the context. However, "because at that time" emphasizes that the reason was specific to a past moment.

When should I avoid using "because at that time"?

Avoid using "because at that time" when referring to current situations or general truths. It's most appropriate when explaining past events where timing is crucial.