not at the same time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not at the same time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more actions or events cannot occur simultaneously. Example: "You can either go to the party or finish your project, but you cannot do both not at the same time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not at the same time".

Independent

And certainly not at the same time.

Independent

(Not at the same time, of course).

The New York Times - Travel

(No, not at the same time).

The New York Times - Travel

Baked bread or oysters – but not at the same time.

The Guardian

Martin and Barndt both played recently for Kansas City, but not at the same time.

The New York Times - Sports

Outside of work Adam enjoys Muay Thai and Cricket, but not at the same time.

The Guardian

We all got down about it occasionally, but fortunately not at the same time.

The Guardian - Sport

Notes & Queries contemplates what constitutes good fortune and irritating behaviour (though not at the same time).

The Guardian

How are we supposed to be assertive, but not, at the same time?

The New York Times

They'd even attended the very university that had invited me, although not at the same time.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not at the same time" to clearly communicate that two or more actions or events cannot occur simultaneously. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid substituting "not at the same time" with overly complicated or technical terms when simple clarity is sufficient. While synonyms like "asynchronously" or "non-concurrently" exist, they may not always be the most effective choice for general audiences. Stick to clear, understandable language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not at the same time" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action occurs. Ludwig AI indicates that it's used to negate simultaneity, indicating sequential or separate occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not at the same time" is a grammatically sound and versatile adverbial phrase used to clearly indicate that two or more events or actions do not occur simultaneously. As verified by Ludwig AI, its straightforward meaning makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to casual conversations. While it has several alternatives like "at different times" or "separately", it's essential to choose the one that best fits the context to ensure clarity. The phrase appears very commonly in news and media, according to Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at different times

Emphasizes the separation of events into distinct time periods.

separately

Focuses on the individual nature of the occurrences, highlighting their independence.

not simultaneously

A more formal way of expressing that events do not happen together.

one after the other

Indicates a sequential order of events.

in sequence

Similar to "one after the other", emphasizing the ordered progression.

at staggered intervals

Implies a planned or irregular spacing between events.

in succession

Highlights the following of one event directly after another.

not concurrently

A technical term specifying that events do not overlap.

subsequently

Focuses on the later occurrence of an event.

in due course

Suggests that an event will happen at an appropriate later time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not at the same time" for variety?

You can use alternatives such as "at different times", "separately", or "not simultaneously" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "not at the same time"?

Yes, "not at the same time" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that two or more events do not occur simultaneously.

What's the difference between "not at the same time" and "simultaneously"?

"Not at the same time" indicates that events occur at different times, while "simultaneously" means they occur at the same time. They are opposites. You can also express the same concept using "at different times".

How do I use "not at the same time" in a sentence?

You can use it to specify that actions or events should be performed or happen separately. For example, "You can either complete the task or attend the meeting, but "not at the same time"".