came at a time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came at a time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific moment or period when something occurred or was relevant. Example: "The decision to expand the business came at a time when the market was ripe for growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The violence came at a time of deep political uncertainty.

The New York Times

"That came at a time when I was leaving school.

The Guardian - Music

This came at a time when interdisciplinary education was still a rarity.

Columbia University

This came at a time when performers were also breaking down the traditional concept of theatre.

The Economist

The love affair that developed between Nelson and Emma Hamilton came at a time of crisis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Abhisit's announcement came at a time of economic strength in Thailand.

The New York Times

The attack came at a time when Israel was stepping up security against terror attacks.

The New York Times

The surgery came at a time when Young had been pitching effectively for the Mets.

The New York Times - Sports

This came at a time of growing discussion of priests, celibacy, sex and hypocrisy.

The Guardian - Film

The discrimination complaint and firing came at a time of turmoil for El Museo.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This came at a time when Becker was largely focused on his economic analysis of family behaviour20.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came at a time" to provide context and show the relationship between an event and the circumstances surrounding it. For instance, "The product launch "came at a time" when consumer interest was peaking."

Common error

Avoid using "came at a time" in simple narratives where a direct sequence of events is sufficient. Instead of saying "The decision "came at a time" when he was considering his options", a simpler "He made the decision while considering his options" might be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came at a time" functions as an adverbial phrase, providing temporal context to an event or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something occurred within a specific period or under certain circumstances. This helps to explain the significance or impact of the event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came at a time" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to provide temporal context, used across various domains, particularly in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When writing, use it to effectively link events with their surrounding circumstances, but avoid overuse in simple narratives. Consider related phrases like "occurred during" or "coincided with" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurred during

Focuses on the period during which something happened, rather than the specific moment.

happened when

Simplifies the phrase to indicate a direct relationship between an event and a time.

was concurrent with

Similar to 'coincided with', but emphasizes the parallel nature of the events.

coincided with

Highlights the simultaneous occurrence of two events.

was simultaneous with

Highlights the perfectly synchronized occurrence of events.

arose during

Suggests that something originated or emerged during a particular period.

transpired amidst

A more formal way of saying 'happened during', often used in narrative or historical contexts.

took place in

Emphasizes the setting of an event within a specific timeframe.

unfolded alongside

Implies a gradual development of events occurring at the same time.

emerged in parallel with

Suggests a development of something alongside a different event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "came at a time" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "occurred during", "coincided with", or "transpired amidst". These options provide a sophisticated way to indicate that something happened during a specific period or circumstance.

Is "came at a time" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "came at a time" is suitable for academic writing, especially when providing historical context or explaining the circumstances surrounding a particular event or decision. However, ensure it's used judiciously and alternatives such as "occurred during" may be more appropriate in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "came at a time" and "happened when"?

"Came at a time" implies a broader context or set of circumstances surrounding an event, whereas "happened when" simply denotes the point in time when something occurred. Using "came at a time" suggests that the timing was significant or influential, while "happened when" is more neutral.

How to use "came at a time" effectively in a sentence?

To use "came at a time" effectively, ensure that the phrase clearly connects an event with its surrounding circumstances. For example, "The discovery of penicillin "came at a time" when bacterial infections were a major threat to public health", effectively linking the discovery's significance to its historical context.