in antiquity

USAGE SUMMARY

"in antiquity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a period of ancient history, such as the classical era of Ancient Greece and Rome. For example: "In antiquity, philosophers believed in a cyclical view of history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Flutes were ubiquitous in antiquity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its beginnings are lost in antiquity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What, though, of fiction set in antiquity?

The Guardian - Books

Olive-oil fraud was already common in antiquity.

The New Yorker

The conservation movement deals in antiquity, rarity and chemistry.

The Guardian

She was admired in antiquity for her delicate, passionate verses.

The Guardian

Most of the tombs had been robbed in antiquity.

The New York Times

"I said it was a famous statue in antiquity".

The New Yorker

The origin of yodeling is buried in antiquity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tyrian purple, naturally occurring dye highly valued in antiquity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were the type most commonly mined in antiquity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the classical era of Greece and Rome, "in antiquity" can be an appropriate way to set the context.

Common error

While both refer to old times, "in antiquity" specifically evokes the era of ancient civilizations, especially those of Greece and Rome. Use "ancient" for general references to old things or times, and reserve "in antiquity" for more specific historical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in antiquity" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying a time frame. As Ludwig AI explains, it sets a historical context, usually referring to ancient civilizations, particularly those of Greece and Rome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in antiquity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to situate events, ideas, or practices within the context of ancient times, especially the classical era of Greece and Rome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for formal writing, academic discussions, and historical analyses, but might sound out of place in casual conversation. To avoid errors, reserve it for contexts where you specifically want to invoke the ancient world. If you want to convey a close meaning but with different words, you can explore alternatives such as "in ancient times" or "in the ancient world". Remember to choose phrases which resonate better in the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in ancient times

This alternative uses more common words to express the same concept of occurrences in the past.

in the ancient world

This focuses specifically on the world during ancient periods, implying a broader scope than just time.

in classical times

This alternative refers specifically to classical antiquity, mainly ancient Greece and Rome.

in bygone eras

This alternative offers a more poetic and less formal way to describe past epochs.

in former ages

Similar to 'bygone eras', this phrase refers to past times but with a slightly more formal tone.

in olden days

This phrase provides a more folksy, informal way to refer to ancient times.

in antiquity's time

Rephrasing that uses possessive form, specifying a period in history.

in days of yore

This is a very old-fashioned and somewhat archaic way of saying "in antiquity".

in distant past

A more straightforward and less literary way to express the idea of a time long ago.

historically

This alternative is a single-word adverb, making it more concise but potentially less descriptive.

FAQs

How is "in antiquity" typically used in a sentence?

Generally, "in antiquity" appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause to set a historical context, such as "In antiquity, the idea of X was Y" or "X, "flourished in antiquity"".

What are some alternatives to saying "in antiquity"?

You can use alternatives such as "in ancient times", "in the ancient world", or "in classical times", depending on the specific historical period you're referencing.

Is it appropriate to use "in antiquity" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "in antiquity" is more suited to formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "long ago" or "in ancient times" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "in antiquity" and "in ancient history"?

"In antiquity" refers to a specific era, primarily the classical period of Greece and Rome, while "in ancient history" is a broader term encompassing all historical periods before the Middle Ages. Therefore, "in ancient history" has a wider scope than "in antiquity".