not at this time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not at this time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to politely indicate that a request cannot be granted at present. For example, you might say, "I'm sorry, I can't help you with that project not at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The timing of the development was not, at this time, meeting our needs," he said.

The New York Times

Not at this time.

The New Yorker

Not at this time of year".

The New York Times

Just not at this time".

The New York Times - Sports

"Not at this time," he said twice.

The New York Times

"Um, not at this time," the nurse replied.

The New York Times

My employer, a retailer with a generally excellent reputation, does not at this time.

The New York Times - Tech

I would not at this time make those -- impose a mandatory cap at this time.

The New York Times

"If it was my son, I wouldn't let him be president, not at this time".

The New York Times - Health

He is not at this time working for a presidential candidate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Unfortunately, no, not at this time," he said.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not at this time" when you want to politely decline a request or suggest something is not feasible now but might be later. It's more tactful than a simple 'no'.

Common error

Avoid using "not at this time" in very casual conversations where simpler phrases like "not now" or "later" are more appropriate. Overly formal language can sound stilted in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not at this time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something is not happening. It expresses a temporary denial or postponement. Ludwig examples show its widespread use in denying requests or indicating unavailability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not at this time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to politely decline requests or indicate that something is not currently possible. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for neutral to professional settings. It is frequently found in news, media, scientific and business contexts. For more casual situations, consider using less formal alternatives such as "not now". Remember, the key is to consider your audience and the specific context to determine if "not at this time" is the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not currently

Indicates a temporary situation, suggesting it might change in the future. Less verbose.

not for the moment

Implies a decision that could be re-evaluated soon. Slightly more informal.

not in the present circumstances

Emphasizes the influence of current conditions on the decision. More formal.

not under present conditions

Similar to "not in the present circumstances" but can apply to rules or laws.

not right now

A more casual and immediate way of saying no, suitable for informal settings.

it is not possible at the moment

Focuses on impossibility due to current constraints, more emphatic.

that's not an option at the moment

Indicates a lack of viability presently, often in professional contexts.

deferred for now

Suggests the decision is postponed but not necessarily rejected. More technical.

put on hold temporarily

Implies a temporary suspension of activity. Usually used in business contexts.

under review

Indicates that something is being examined, implying a decision is pending.

FAQs

How can I use "not at this time" in a sentence?

You can use "not at this time" to politely decline a request or indicate that something is not currently possible. For example, "I'm afraid I can't assist with that request "not at this time"".

What can I say instead of "not at this time"?

Alternatives include "not currently", "not right now", or "deferred for now", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "not at this time" formal or informal?

"Not at this time" is generally considered a moderately formal phrase, suitable for professional or polite interactions. In very casual settings, simpler alternatives like "not now" may be more appropriate.

Which is correct, "not at this time" or "not at the time"?

"Not at this time" indicates the present moment, while "not at the time" refers to a specific point in the past. For example, "I could "not currently" accept the offer" versus "I was "not currently" available at the time of the meeting".