on this time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on this time" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "at this time," which is used to refer to the present moment or current situation. Example: "At this time, we are unable to provide further information regarding the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Hold on, this time it's true!

Independent

We lay down in the sun for a while before moving on, this time to Rowayton.

The New York Times

But hold on, this time round the nine-figure bush, there is some substance in play.

TechCrunch

What's going on this time?

The Guardian - Business

Raul Garcia does come on this time.

The Guardian - Sport

But I left it on this time.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

There may be little incentive for anyone else to take on this time-consuming role.

Harvard Business Review

It was long-on this time, again with a stunning, lazy swing of the bat.

The Guardian - Sport

And Samuels finishes with another maximum, over wide long-on this time!

The Guardian - Sport

I was very hands-on this time".

Wikipedia

Nothing is going on at this time".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at this time" instead of "on this time" for grammatically correct English. "At this time" is the standard prepositional phrase to refer to the current moment or a specific point in time.

Common error

Avoid using "on" when referring to a specific point in time; use "at" instead. "On" is typically used for days or dates (e.g., "on Monday", "on July 4th"), while "at" is used for specific times or general periods (e.g., "at 3 PM", "at this time").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on this time" functions as a prepositional phrase, but its use is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig identifies "on this time" as non-standard, recommending "at this time" instead. While it appears in various sources, it's best avoided in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "on this time" appears frequently in a variety of sources, including news and scientific publications, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig highlights, the correct preposition to use in this context is "at", making the correct phrase "at this time". The phrase intends to indicate a specific moment or period but falls short due to improper preposition usage. Therefore, it's best to avoid "on this time" and opt for "at this time" or other alternatives like "currently" for clear and grammatically sound communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at this time

Replaces the incorrect preposition "on" with the correct preposition "at".

during this time

Emphasizes the duration or period being referred to.

in this period

Uses a more formal and precise vocabulary.

at the present time

More formal and emphasizes the current moment.

currently

A concise adverb that avoids the prepositional phrase.

now

A shorter and simpler alternative for the present moment.

this time around

Adds the idea of comparison with other times.

in the current timeframe

Emphasizes that something happens inside an established schedule.

within this timeframe

Highlights the boundary of a period in which something happens.

in this instant

Places emphasis on immediacy and precision.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "on this time"?

The correct way to say "on this time" is "at this time". The preposition "at" is used to indicate a specific point in time.

When should I use "at this time" instead of "on this time"?

You should use "at this time" when you want to refer to the present moment or a specific point in time. "On this time" is not grammatically correct.

Are there any alternatives to saying "at this time"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "currently", "now", or "at the present time" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "at this time" and "during this time"?

"At this time" refers to a specific moment, while "during this time" refers to a period or duration. For example, "At this time, the meeting is starting" versus "During this time, we will discuss the budget".