nearly the same time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly the same time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more events occur at almost the same moment, but not exactly. Example: "The two trains arrived at nearly the same time, causing confusion among the passengers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They landed at nearly the same time, about 7 p.m.

The New York Times

And since nearly the same time, there have been scholars arguing over what makes the difference.

The New York Times - Science

At nearly the same time, the important work of Lyell on the faunal succession of the Paris Basin permitted finer-scaled discrimination of this classic Tertiary sequence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"These accidents happened at nearly the same time, and clearly we're going to investigate to see why this was," he said.

The New York Times

Beethoven completed both of the symphonies at nearly the same time in 1808, and they premiered together on the same all-Beethoven program.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(The Goths had migrated from the forested north earlier in the 4th century, just as Mongols did far to the east perhaps at nearly the same time).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Peniche in White Plains — another newcomer this year, from Anthony Goncalves, who did double duty by opening 42 at nearly the same time — had a similar standout.

The New York Times

They lost at nearly the same time, with Serena's demise on Court Philippe Chatrier coming 28 minutes before her sister's on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The New York Times - Sports

I also think it is neat for a coach and his former player to have the opportunity to win this many games while each one was coaching at nearly the same time.

The New York Times - Sports

His laboratory is developing a robotic system called multiplex automated genome engineering (MAGE) that can perform up to 50 different genome alterations at nearly the same time, creating billions of variants in a matter of hours.

The Economist

Officers who knew him shouted, "He's police!" At nearly the same time, according to an officer who was there, Mr. Cafarella came over and ripped the rifle off of the stricken officer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly the same time" when precision isn't critical, but you want to convey events happened very closely together. It avoids implying exact simultaneity while still indicating close temporal proximity.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly the same time" when events are truly simultaneous. Opt for phrases like "at the same time" or "simultaneously" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly the same time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action occurred. Ludwig indicates that this usage is considered grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly the same time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates events occurring in close temporal proximity, as validated by Ludwig. It is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, spanning news, scientific writing, and general communication. Consider alternatives like "around the same time" or "almost simultaneously" for nuanced expression. Avoid using it when true simultaneity is meant or conversely, when there's a significant time gap between the events. Ludwig's analysis confirms its versatile and correct application in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost simultaneously

This alternative suggests events occurring with very little time difference, almost at the exact moment.

at virtually the same time

This indicates that the events occurred so close in time that they can be considered simultaneous for practical purposes.

around the same time

This option is slightly less precise, indicating a general temporal proximity rather than near simultaneity.

at approximately the same time

This phrase introduces a level of approximation, suggesting the events occurred very close together.

in close succession

This highlights the sequential nature of events happening one after another with little delay.

in quick succession

Similar to "in close succession", but emphasizes rapidity.

concurrently

This term implies that events happen at the same time, although with minor deviations.

in temporal proximity

A more formal way to describe events close in time, suitable for academic or technical contexts.

synchronously

This suggests that events occur in a coordinated or synchronized manner.

in unison

While often used for actions, this can describe events occurring together, implying a coordinated element.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly the same time" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly the same time" to indicate that two or more events occurred close to each other. For example, "The two accidents occurred at "nearly the same time", suggesting a common cause."

What can I say instead of "nearly the same time"?

Alternatives include "around the same time", "almost simultaneously", or "in close succession", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at the same time" or "nearly the same time"?

"At the same time" implies simultaneity, while ""nearly the same time"" indicates close but not exact simultaneity. Choose based on the accuracy you want to convey.

What's the difference between "in quick succession" and "nearly the same time"?

"In quick succession" emphasizes that events happened one after the other, very rapidly, while ""nearly the same time"" simply means they occurred close together, possibly simultaneously. The focus is on sequence versus proximity.