but at the time

USAGE SUMMARY

"but at the time" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a past event or situation in contrast to a present one. For example: "The store was closed yesterday, but at the time I didn't realize it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But at the time, it was noteworthy.

The New York Times

But at the time — it felt scary.

Harvard University

But at the time, she worked there.

The New York Times

But at the time, it felt natural".

The Guardian

But at the time they didn't understand.

The New York Times - Magazine

But at the time, they didn't care.

The Guardian

But at the time, who knew?

The New York Times

"But at the time it felt miserable".

The Guardian - Arts

But at the time it seemed like it.

University of California, Berkeley

But at the time no one made much of it.

The New York Times - Science

But at the time, I was beyond stressed.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but at the time", ensure that the contrast is clear and that the sentence provides enough context for the reader to understand the shift in perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "but at the time" when there is no actual shift in understanding or circumstances. The phrase is meant to highlight a contrast between then and now, not simply to describe a past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but at the time" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast between a past situation or perception and the current one. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but at the time" is a versatile and commonly used conjunctive phrase that serves to highlight a contrast between past and present situations or perspectives. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for a variety of contexts, including news, academic writing, and general conversation. While alternative phrases like "however, back then" or "in retrospect, though" can offer similar meanings, "but at the time" provides a direct and effective way to indicate a shift in understanding or circumstances. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure a clear contrast and sufficient context for the reader to grasp the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the time, though

Omission of the conjunction "but" from the original phrase results in a more direct focus on the temporal aspect.

however, back then

Replaces "but at the time" with a shorter, more direct contrast focusing on the past.

yet, in those days

Offers a slightly more formal alternative, emphasizing the contrast with a specific period in the past.

nonetheless, then

Similar to "however, back then", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the contrasting situation.

in retrospect, though

Highlights the difference between a past view and a current retrospective understanding.

in hindsight, however

Similar to "in retrospect, though", this alternative emphasizes the shift in understanding from the past to the present.

looking back, though

Highlights the act of reflecting on a past situation from a current perspective.

at that point, however

Focuses on a specific moment in the past and contrasts it with the present situation.

at that juncture, however

Replaces the more general "time" with "juncture," indicating a specific point in time.

at that moment, though

Provides a more specific temporal reference compared to "at the time."

FAQs

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

Use "but at the time" to show a contrast between how something was perceived or understood in the past versus how it is viewed now. For example, "The decision seemed risky, "but at the time", it felt like the only option."

What phrases are similar to "but at the time"?

Similar phrases include "however back then", "yet in those days", or "in retrospect though", which also indicate a difference between a past situation and the current one.

Is it correct to say "at the time but" instead of "but at the time"?

While "at the time" can be used independently to refer to a specific point in the past, reversing the phrase to "at the time but" is grammatically incorrect and less common. It's better to stick with ""but at the time"" to clearly indicate the contrast.

How does "but at the time" differ from "at the same time"?

"But at the time" indicates a contrast or change in perspective between the past and present, while "at the same time" indicates that two or more things are happening simultaneously. They serve different functions in a sentence.