in old times

USAGE SUMMARY

"in old times" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time in the past that is not specific. For example: In old times, people used to travel by horse and buggy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"Just as it was in old times".

The New York Times

They are living in old times.

The Guardian - Opinion

They learned it in old times, I think.

The New York Times - Magazine

In "Old Times" (1971), the male desire to dominate becomes even more insidious.

The New Yorker

Why, he mused, couldn't they just make do with crutches, as in old times?

The New York Times

When Arlington, home of Robert E. Lee was restored, smokehouse on the estate was fixed up as in old times.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Sweeney is singing and playing guitar and has brought in old-time friend and guitarist/bassist David Pajo (Slint, Tortoise, Papa M), whom he met playing with Bonnie Prince Billy.

Vice

If Mr. Stanley represents the best in old time bluegrass, Ryan Holladay and Shankman Twins represent its rising generation.

The New York Times

Falwell focused on religiously conservative white voters who believed in old time religion and the Ten Commandments.

HuffPost

In older times, it was called a hiring fair.

The Guardian - Opinion

In older times, it would not have held its ground," Mr. Amir said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity and relevance, contextualize "in old times" with specific details or examples, enriching the narrative and making it more engaging for the reader. For instance: "In old times, families often gathered around the fireplace to share tales and sing songs, traditions that are increasingly rare today."

Common error

Avoid using "in old times" when referring to specific historical periods. It's more appropriate for general references to the past. If you're discussing the Victorian era, for example, specify that period instead of using the more vague "in old times."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in old times" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses by specifying when an action or state occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

21%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in old times" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a general period in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears frequently in news, media, and wiki sources. While it isn't highly formal, its neutral tone makes it suitable for many contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives like "in former times" or "in ancient times" might be more appropriate. Remember to use it when contrasting past practices with the present, avoiding its use for specific historical periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in ancient times

Similar meaning, emphasizing a more distant and often classical past.

in former times

A more formal alternative, suggesting a past era or period.

in bygone days

Evokes a sense of nostalgia and a distant, idealized past.

in days of old

A slightly more poetic and archaic expression for the past.

in earlier times

A more general and less evocative way to refer to the past.

in the olden days

A folksy, slightly informal way of referring to the past.

in past eras

A more structured alternative, highlighting distinct historical periods.

in the past

A very general and common way to refer to any time before now.

in previous generations

Focuses on the past through the lens of family lineage and heritage.

in historical periods

Emphasizes specific, defined periods in history.

FAQs

What does "in old times" mean?

The phrase "in old times" refers to a general period in the past, often without specifying a particular era. It's used to contrast past practices or conditions with the present.

What can I say instead of "in old times"?

You can use alternatives like "in ancient times", "in former times", or "in bygone days" depending on the context.

Is "in old times" formal or informal?

The phrase "in old times" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for most contexts, but more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "in previous eras".

How can I use "in old times" in a sentence?

You can use "in old times" to introduce a statement about past customs or conditions. For example: "In old times, communities relied heavily on bartering for goods and services."