in earlier time

USAGE SUMMARY

"in earlier times" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to time periods in the past that are not specified in detail. For example, "In earlier times, the way people communicated was very different than it is today."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

These differences were not evident in earlier time points or substrates containing only HA.

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

Flash in earlier time did not do well in video manipulation.

Procedia Engineering

But if the commercial has "smooth sailing" during earlier slots on other Viacom networks, MTV may permit it to be seen in earlier time slots too, he said.

The New York Times

In the last half century, however, paleontologists recognized that the Burgess Shale exemplified the radiation of diverse life forms unlike anything in earlier time.

The New York Times - Science

Congressional aides said the absolute ban on late trading being considered by the commission would be unfair to investors who place fund trades through brokers or are in earlier time zones than those on the East Coast.

The New York Times

That is, this method is potential for facilitating the development of cancer diagnostics in earlier time.

Nano-Micro Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

There is nothing hunched or furtive in his bearing — he emanates what in earlier times would have been called "backbone".

The New Yorker

Instead, we used this SNP to determine whether allele-specific differences in DNA methylation could explain the silencing of WT GATA2 allele expression observed in earlier time-points of IV.10.

Nature

In earlier times catapults "reduced" the fortifications.

The Economist

That was indeed true in earlier times.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Certainly in earlier times these houses came with responsibility.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and wider acceptance, consider using more common alternatives such as "in earlier times" or "in the past".

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "in earlier time" might sound unusual to some readers. Opting for phrases like "in earlier times" or "previously" often makes your writing smoother and more relatable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in earlier time" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating when something occurred. It specifies a timeframe situated in the past, before the current moment, although more common alternatives exist.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in earlier time" is grammatically correct but notably uncommon. While it serves to indicate a past temporal context, alternatives such as "in earlier times", "previously", or "in the past" are generally preferred for their idiomatic use. Ludwig AI indicates that while grammatically sound, the phrase may sound unusual to some, therefore opting for more common alternatives might improve clarity and acceptance in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in earlier periods

Directly refers to prior timeframes, suitable for analytical contexts.

in former times

Emphasizes a more distant and often idealized past.

in the past

A general reference to any time before the present.

in prior days

Highlights a period before the present, often implying a contrast.

in previous eras

Refers to distinct historical periods, adding a sense of scale.

in bygone days

Evokes a sense of nostalgia and a past that is long gone.

in olden days

Similar to 'bygone days', often used in storytelling or folklore.

previously

A simpler adverb indicating something happened before.

in days gone by

Poetic and implies a sense of longing for the past.

in antiquity

Refers specifically to ancient times.

FAQs

What's the difference between "in earlier time" and "in earlier times"?

While both are grammatically correct, "in earlier times" is the more idiomatic and commonly used phrase. It simply sounds more natural to native English speakers. Consider using "in earlier times".

How can I use "in earlier time" in a sentence?

Although grammatically sound, the phrase "in earlier time" is not frequently used. It is recommended to use ""in earlier times"" instead for a more natural flow.

What can I say instead of "in earlier time"?

You can use alternatives like ""in earlier times"", "previously", or "in the past" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "in earlier time" or "in earlier times"?

"In earlier times" is more commonly accepted and preferred over "in earlier time". Although "in earlier time" is grammatically correct, it is not often used.