by this time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by this time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a certain point in time, typically the present moment or a future point in time that has been mentioned in the same context. For example, "By this time next week, we will have finished the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By this time, everyone was getting along.

The New Yorker

By this time, it was getting dark.

The New Yorker

Batista was, by this time, defending himself.

The New York Times - Sports

By this time, Mobutu had fled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nero had many antagonists by this time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hootches were burned by this time".

The New Yorker

By this time, Ms. Torrès was pregnant.

The New York Times - Books

Ferrie was dead by this time.

The New Yorker

By this time, readers were quite attentive.

The New York Times

By this time nine girls had died.

The New Yorker

But by this time, she had dementia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by this time" to clearly indicate a shift in circumstances or a new development that has occurred up to a specific point in the narrative or process.

Common error

Avoid using "by this time" excessively in narratives where the sequence of events is already clear. Simpler transitions might provide a smoother reading experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by this time" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying a particular moment or stage in a sequence of events. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in marking transitions and developments in narratives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

28%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by this time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a specific point in a sequence of events. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in news media and academia. While generally neutral in register, it's best employed to mark transitions and new developments. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid redundancy, and consider alternatives like "at this point" or "by then" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at this point

Focuses more on a specific moment rather than a duration leading up to it.

by then

Similar, but implies a more distant or previously mentioned time.

up to now

Emphasizes the progression of events leading to the current moment.

as of now

Highlights the current state or situation.

in the interim

Refers to the period between two events.

meanwhile

Indicates events happening concurrently.

in the meantime

Similar to 'meanwhile', but may also suggest preparing for a future event.

at that stage

Highlights a specific phase in a process or development.

thus far

Indicates progress or achievement up to the current point.

heretofore

Formally indicates all time up to the present.

FAQs

How can I use "by this time" in a sentence?

"By this time" is used to indicate that a certain point has been reached and something else is now true or happening. For instance, "By this time, she had already finished her work."

What's the difference between "by this time" and "by then"?

"By this time" usually refers to a point closer to the present or a specific moment being discussed, whereas "by then" refers to a point further in the past or future, often previously mentioned.

What can I say instead of "by this time"?

You can use alternatives like "at this point", "as of now", or "up to now" depending on the context.

Is "by this time" formal or informal?

"By this time" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in written or spoken narratives.