built some time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "built some time" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks clarity in meaning. Example: "The bridge was built some time in the 1990s, but the exact date is unclear."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's a manor house, built some time before 1066, with 1,500 acres of land and around 12 cottages and farm houses.

The Guardian

The style of the ship was early Dutch, and radiocarbon dating of the wood indicated that the vessel was built some time between 1450 and 1610.

The New Yorker

Built some time between 1911 and 1915, the rambling two-story wooden structure glows at night with thousands of fairy lights that spice up the town's Dodge City atmosphere.

The New York Times - Travel

A cricket pavilion was built some time prior to 1900 and was replaced during 1962-63.

Wikipedia

The second school in Sale was built some time in the 18th century, one of about 30 non-grammar schools founded in Cheshire around this time.

Wikipedia

Though the Bruton Dovecote's date of construction is not known precisely, the structure was built some time between the 15th and 17th century.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The original transition plan built in some time before he had to leave office to allow for an orderly succession.

The New York Times

"Obviously the control tower has been built for some time now, but to actually be able to officially open it today is a great day for the airport".

BBC

That isn't exactly prompt, but if you build some lead time into your calculations, it'll do.

The New York Times

FINsix recognized that, and so rather than build, build, build, they took some time to learn about customer needs.

TechCrunch

Australia belatedly built some momentum as half-time approached, Geoff Parling's superb ankle tap on Jesse Mogg, on as a replacement for the stricken Israel Folau, halting a dangerous attack.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to an approximate time of construction, consider using phrases like "constructed at some point" or "erected a while ago" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase as is, because "built some time" alone lacks context. It's better to add a prepositional phrase like "built some time in the 1990s" to provide better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "built some time" acts as a modifier, typically describing when an object or structure was created, although vaguely. Ludwig AI notes that the phrase is not considered correct in standard written English. The phrase usually needs further context to clarify the specific timeframe.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

41%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "built some time" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI points out that it's considered incorrect in standard written English due to its vagueness. It functions to indicate a general timeframe for construction but lacks precision. For improved clarity and formality, consider alternatives like "constructed at some point" or "erected a while ago". The phrase is most commonly found in news, media, and wiki sources, but opting for more precise language enhances the quality of professional and academic writing. Be careful when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

built at some point

More formal and precise alternative, emphasizing the act of construction at an unspecified time.

constructed sometime

Replaces "built" with "constructed" maintaining the idea of an unspecified construction time.

erected some time ago

Emphasizes that the construction occurred in the past without specifying when.

built in the past

A general phrase indicating past construction, lacking specific time reference.

built during that era

Specifies a particular period during which the building occurred.

established a while back

Uses "established" instead of "built", implying a broader sense of creation or initiation.

developed over a period

Suggests a gradual process of building or development.

created in those days

Refers to a past era with less precision.

made some time before

A more general term, indicating something was made earlier.

built within that timeframe

Indicates construction during a specific period, though unspecified.

FAQs

How can I use "built some time" in a sentence correctly?

While the phrase "built some time" is vague, it can be used with further clarification. For example: "The bridge was built some time in the 1990s, but the exact date is unclear." Consider using alternatives like "constructed at some point" for improved clarity.

What phrases can I use instead of "built some time"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "erected a while ago", "constructed sometime", or "built in the past".

Is it better to say "built some time ago" or "built some time"?

"Built some time ago" is preferable as it explicitly indicates a past event. "Built some time" alone lacks clarity and requires additional context. For increased impact, avoid the QUERY itself and consider something like "established a while back".

What's the difference between "built some time" and "built at some point"?

"Built at some point" is more formal and grammatically sound. "Built some time" is less precise and may require additional information to be fully understood. It's better to use alternatives like "built at some point" for accuracy and clarity.