in an era when

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "in an era when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a particular time period in the past or present, and can be used to introduce a clause. Example sentence: In an era when digital technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, the importance of personal interactions is becoming increasingly clear.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My parents lived in an era when norms mattered more.

University of California, Berkeley

"Now we're in an era when that enthusiasm has gone".

The New York Times

I GREW up in an era when nobody went anywhere.

The New York Times - Books

In an era when most ethnographers failed to identify their informants, Miller gave credit to his.

Cornell University

Ardis published the best Russian literature in an era when the Soviet government wouldn't.

Stanford University

In an era when there were few female lawyers, Miers set out for the top.

The Washington Post

Sales taxes were developed in an era when sales of physical goods dominated the economy.

The New York Times

The approach is striking in an era when even personal life is preconceived, polished, performed.

The New Yorker

"Agassi and Ecstasy" read the headlines, in an era when the headlines usually came in print.

The New York Times - Sports

The Part I Patriots played in an era when stingy defense ruled the day.

The New York Times

In an era when people drank a lot, Bogart drank more.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in an era when", ensure that the subsequent clause provides a clear and relevant detail that characterizes that era. Avoid vague or general statements that do not add specific information about the time period.

Common error

Avoid using "in an era when" to introduce overly simplistic or stereotypical views of a period. Instead, focus on nuanced and well-supported aspects of the era to provide a more accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an era when" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It sets the temporal context for the main clause, specifying the period during which the described situation or event occurs. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in a variety of written English contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in an era when" serves as a temporal marker, setting the stage for a particular historical or cultural context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various fields such as News & Media, Academia and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent clause provides a specific and relevant characteristic of the era in question. Alternative phrases such as "during a time when" or "in an age when" can be used to convey similar meanings, as long as the specific nuance aligns with the intended message. Avoid overgeneralizing the characteristics of an era to ensure clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during a time when

Replaces "era" with "time", making the phrase slightly less formal.

at a period when

Substitutes "era" with "period", offering a more neutral alternative.

in a period where

Changes "when" to "where", subtly shifting the focus from time to context.

in an age when

Replaces "era" with "age", indicating a broader historical span.

in times when

Uses "times" instead of "era", offering a more general reference to a particular period.

in a climate where

Shifts the focus to the prevailing conditions or atmosphere rather than a specific timeframe.

in a world where

Broadens the scope to the entire world, emphasizing global context.

given that

Expresses a condition or reason, shifting away from temporal context.

considering that

Similar to "given that", it introduces a premise or factor to be taken into account.

now that

Indicates a condition arising from a specific moment in time, transitioning into a new state.

FAQs

How can I use "in an era when" in a sentence?

Use "in an era when" to set a specific historical or cultural context. For example, "In an era when technology is rapidly advancing, adapting to change is crucial".

What phrases are similar to "in an era when"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "during a time when", "at a period when", or "in an age when", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in an age when" instead of "in an era when"?

Yes, "in an age when" is a valid alternative. "Age" and "era" are often interchangeable, although "age" can sometimes imply a longer or more significant period.

What's the difference between "in an era when" and "at a time when"?

"At a time when" is a more general phrase that refers to a specific point in time, while "in an era when" refers to a broader period with distinct characteristics.