in wintertime

USAGE SUMMARY

"in wintertime" is a correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It can refer to the time of year, as in "in wintertime, snow covers the ground", or to activities occurring in the winter season, as in "in wintertime, my family goes skiing".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In wintertime, as I recall,.

The New Yorker

In wintertime, it was frozen and scentless.

The New Yorker

And they could double up as draught excluders in wintertime.

The Guardian

You were fifteen and standing beside a river in wintertime.

The New Yorker

Back in the day, trees stayed properly bare in wintertime.

The New York Times

In wintertime, Ms. Shaw-Leary patted her sons' coats.

The New York Times

Consequently, the maximum carbon assimilation rate occurred in wintertime.

Nature

There are views of Drapers Bluff in wintertime.

The New York Times - Travel

The exact reverse applied in wintertime, when drifts of snow meant certain financial doom.

The New York Times

And in wintertime, in the hinterlands, no one was wearing silk or mink.

The New Yorker

It is therefore important not to lower one's guard when enjoying the outdoors in wintertime.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in wintertime" to generally refer to activities, conditions, or events that occur during the winter season. It adds a slightly more descriptive or literary feel compared to "in winter".

Common error

Avoid using "in wintertime" when a more concise "in winter" is sufficient, especially in formal or technical writing. While both are correct, "in winter" is often preferred for its simplicity.

Linguistic Context

"In wintertime" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses by indicating when an action takes place. It specifies the time frame, similar to how Ludwig examples show activities and conditions occurring during winter.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in wintertime" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial, specifying the time frame for an action or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted, though "in winter" is often more concise. Analysis of example sentences reveals its usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, with a neutral register. Related phrases include "during the winter" and "throughout the winter season". When writing, it's best to use "in wintertime" for a slightly more descriptive tone, reserving "in winter" for formal contexts where brevity is valued.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the winter

Replaces "in wintertime" with a more common preposition and noun combination.

throughout the winter season

Elaborates on "winter" by specifying it as a season, adding emphasis.

in the winter months

Specifies that the period in question involves multiple months of winter.

when winter arrives

Shifts from a time period to the start of the season.

in the depths of winter

Emphasizes the peak or most intense part of the winter season.

as winter approaches

Focuses on the period leading up to winter rather than winter itself.

during the cold season

Replaces "winter" with a more generic description of the season, broadening the reference.

under winter conditions

Focuses on the environmental aspects typically found during winter.

come winter

A more concise and informal way to indicate when winter arrives.

in frosty weather

Highlights the cold, icy conditions common during winter.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "in wintertime" or "in winter"?

Both "in wintertime" and "in winter" are correct, but they carry slightly different connotations. "In winter" is more common and neutral, while "in wintertime" can sound more descriptive or literary. The choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

What are some alternative ways to say "in wintertime"?

You can use alternatives such as "during the winter", "throughout the winter season", or "in the winter months" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "in wintertime" instead of "in winter"?

"In wintertime" is appropriate when you want to add a slightly more evocative or descriptive feel to your writing, particularly when discussing general seasonal conditions or activities. For example: "In wintertime, the landscape is often covered in snow."

What is the level of formality of the phrase "in wintertime"?

The phrase "in wintertime" is generally considered neutral in formality. It is suitable for both casual and more formal contexts, though "in winter" might be preferred in highly formal or technical writing for its brevity.