however at that time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however at that time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to point out that something different and unexpected happened when a certain event took place. For example, "The company was expecting a large profit, however at that time the market suddenly crashed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, at that time, it was not easy to find food.

The Guardian

However, at that time, we were unable to prove that Thurlbeck had even received the email.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, at that time billions of people worldwide had still not joined the wave of globalization.

The New Yorker

However, at that time the technology required to generate such sound waves did not exist.

Britannica

However, at that time there was no evidence of L. salmonis DNA in oyster digestive tissues.

Aquaculture

However, at that time we decided to try and use the UART serial interface to power all time keeping ability.

Cornell University

However, at that time, the commission considered 17 buildings in the currently proposed district as possible individual landmarks.

The New York Times

However, at that time it had been firmly decided that neural networks were a dead end in AI research.

MIT Technology Review

However, at that time equations were neither written nor conceptualized in terms of such a place-value notation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The inward flora of the island, however, at that time consisted of sea-weed, of which the seeds probably were carried by the wind.

Cornell University

However, at that time, Britain was still the centre of a vast empire and a powerful intermediary between a weak Europe and a strong United States of America.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however at that time" to clearly indicate a contrast or change in circumstances within a specific historical or temporal context.

Common error

Avoid using "however at that time" when a simple "however" would suffice. Ensure the temporal aspect is relevant to the contrast you are drawing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however at that time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to indicate a contrast that is specifically situated in a particular temporal context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it points out that something different and unexpected happened at that specific time. This highlights a shift or unexpected circumstance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "however at that time" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a contrast with specific reference to a past period. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's frequently found in scientific, news, and academic texts, showing its adaptability across different contexts. When writing, ensure that the temporal aspect is relevant to the contrast you're making, and consider alternatives like "nevertheless then" or "yet in those days" for nuanced variations. As Ludwig's examples show, this phrase is a useful tool for adding temporal depth to your writing and making precise distinctions in your arguments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even so at the time

Indicates that despite what was said, the situation happened regardless.

still at that moment

Indicates that something remained true or occurred despite other circumstances.

nevertheless then

Emphasizes the contrast while specifying a point in time, maintains a formal tone.

in contrast then

Directly points out a contrast but maintains time order relation.

yet in those days

Highlights the contradictory nature of the situation during that period.

but during that era

Emphasizes a specific period and introduces a contradictory fact.

conversely in that period

Offers an opposite perspective while referring to a specific time.

nonetheless back then

Implies a contrast with what was previously stated with focus on a less formal context.

on the other hand back then

Introduces an alternative point of view with emphasis on informality.

despite that period

Focuses on a specific timeframe and indicates that something happened in spite of the circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "however at that time" to introduce a contrast while specifying a particular moment or period. For example, "The technology was promising; "however at that time", it was too expensive for widespread adoption."

What are some alternatives to using "however at that time"?

Alternatives include "nevertheless then", "yet in those days", or "even so at the time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "however at that time" and simply using "however"?

Yes, "however at that time" specifies that the contrast is related to a particular period. Using just "however" implies a general contrast without specifying when it occurred.

When is it appropriate to use "however at that time" instead of "but"?

Use "however at that time" when you want to emphasize both the contrast and the temporal context. "But" is a more general conjunction and doesn't highlight the specific time period. You could replace it with "but during that era".