in another era

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in another era" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a different time period, often implying a significant change in context or circumstances. Example: "The traditions we follow today were once commonplace in another era, reflecting the values of that time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

IN ANOTHER era, tanks might now be on the streets of Ankara and Istanbul.

The Economist

Looking back we see that this era ushered in another era: the obesity epidemic.

Huffington Post

In another era, an I.C.U.

The New Yorker

In another era, it might have been.

The New York Times - Sports

In another era, Scotty Reston was right.

The Washington Post

The daybook was born in another era.

The New York Times

In another era, Fischer's comments might not have registered widely.

The New Yorker

In another era he might have played nowhere else.

Independent

In another era, that would have been unthinkable.

The Economist

In another era, Romney would have run on that record.

The New Yorker

In another era, this would have left him in knots.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in another era" to draw a contrast between past and present situations, highlighting how circumstances or perspectives have changed over time. For instance, "In another era, such behavior might have been overlooked."

Common error

Avoid using "in another era" when simply referring to a past event without the intention of contrasting it with the present. Instead of saying, "In another era, I visited Paris", use "I visited Paris in the past" or "I once visited Paris."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in another era" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something occurred or would have occurred under different historical circumstances. It provides temporal context, contrasting a past period with the present. As noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely utilized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in another era" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to contrast past and present conditions. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to highlight temporal differences, often emphasizing societal changes or progress. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register and can be adapted across various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you're drawing a clear comparison between distinct periods. Common alternatives include "in a different era" and "in bygone times". Ludwig AI confirms the appropriateness of this phrase for written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a different era

Emphasizes the difference in time period without necessarily implying a contrast in conditions.

in a bygone era

Highlights that the era is past and often evokes a sense of nostalgia or loss.

in a previous era

Focuses on the sequential aspect, indicating that the era came before the current one.

in a past age

Similar to "bygone era", but slightly more formal and emphasizes the historical distance.

in former times

A more general phrase that refers to the past without specifying a particular era.

in the old days

More informal and often used to refer to a vaguely defined past, typically the speaker's own earlier life or experience.

back in the day

A colloquial expression indicating a past time, usually with positive connotations.

in historical times

Highlights the context of history and indicates times that are over.

in those days

Refers to a specific period previously mentioned or understood in the context.

in yesteryear

Poetic or literary term to talk about past times in a romanticized way.

FAQs

How can I use "in another era" in a sentence?

Use "in another era" to compare past conditions with present circumstances, emphasizing the differences. For example, "In another era, this type of technology would have been unimaginable."

What is a similar phrase to "in another era"?

Alternatives include "in a different time", "in a bygone era", or "in former times", each carrying a slightly different nuance depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "during another era" instead of "in another era"?

While "during another era" is grammatically correct, "in another era" is more common and often preferred when discussing generalized time periods and contrasting them with the present.

What's the difference between "in another era" and "in a different era"?

Both phrases are similar, but "in another era" often implies a more significant contrast or change in societal norms, technology, or values compared to "in a different era", which simply denotes a different time period.