only at that stage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only at that stage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific point in a process or timeline when something is applicable or relevant. Example: "The decision to proceed with the project will be made only at that stage, after all evaluations are complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

How could anyone miss the obvious point that newspapers traditionally editorialise at the end of election campaigns because it is only at that stage that all the policies of political parties are known?

The Guardian

Only at that stage are we looking at more than 2 billion installed base for ARCore globally.

TechCrunch

The ultrasound showed that Bob had two abdominal haematomas and, only at that stage, was he referred to the ACS for urgent review.

BMC Health Services Research

24 hpf is the earliest stage we can perform cell counts since our automated algorithm uses the membrane GFP signal in the Tg(cldnb:lyngfp) transgenic line which starts to be clearly visible only at that stage.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"My sense is that he was the only juvenile who was around at that stage".

The Guardian

It was only at this stage that he discovered that he had debts of £11,000.

Independent

It was only at this stage that I scrutinised the small print of the recipe.

Independent

The important point to appreciate is that only at this stage is the chromatophore group split off; the earlier products have involved some change in the structure of the chromoprotein, but not so extreme as to break off the retinal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"As I was her only child, and Deborah the only grandchild at that stage, she came to Australia to join us," says her daughter, Mavis Wilson, who lives in Camden, New South Wales, on the outskirts of Sydney.

The Guardian - Money

"Four years have passed and we are only at this stage, but that is no longer attributable to Ecuador, it is attributable to Swedish prosecutors.

The Guardian

Preparatory talks were supposed to end on Friday evening, but at that stage only 37% of the UN's draft text had been agreed - which led to Brazil's decision to issue a revamped document.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only at that stage" to clearly delineate the specific point in a process or timeline when a particular action or condition becomes relevant. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the precise timing.

Common error

Avoid using "only at that stage" in simple sentences where a more concise phrasing like "then" or "at that time" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only at that stage" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the timing or condition under which an action or event occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only at that stage" is a grammatically correct and usable adverbial phrase that specifies a precise point in time when something becomes applicable or relevant. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it appears primarily in news media and scientific contexts, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in simple sentences. Alternatives like "solely at that juncture" or "just at that moment" can provide variations in tone and emphasis. Employing this phrase effectively clarifies timing and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specifically at that phase

Replaces "only" with "specifically" and "stage" with "phase", adding a layer of precision.

solely at that juncture

Replaces "only" with "solely" and "stage" with "juncture", slightly formalizing the tone.

at that particular juncture

Adds emphasis with "particular" and uses "juncture" for a formal tone.

exclusively at that time

Substitutes "only" with "exclusively" and "stage" with "time", highlighting the uniqueness of the moment.

merely at that point

Substitutes "only" with "merely" and "stage" with "point", offering a simpler alternative.

precisely at that period

Emphasizes exactness, replacing "only" with "precisely" and "stage" with "period".

just at that moment

Replaces "only" with "just" and rephrases "stage" as "moment", emphasizing the immediacy.

not until that moment

Expresses the condition in a negative form, highlighting the delay.

and not before that point

Rephrases to emphasize that the event does not occur earlier.

only then

A concise alternative that relies on context for clarity.

FAQs

How can I use "only at that stage" in a sentence?

You can use "only at that stage" to specify a precise moment when something becomes applicable or relevant. For example, "The decision to proceed will be made "only at that stage", after all evaluations are complete."

What are some alternatives to "only at that stage"?

Alternatives include "solely at that juncture", "merely at that point", or "just at that moment", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "only at that stage" interchangeable with "at that stage only"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "only at that stage" emphasizes the exclusiveness of the timing. "At that stage only" can sometimes sound less emphatic but is still grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "only at that stage" and "at this stage"?

"Only at that stage" refers to a specific, previously mentioned point in time, whereas "at this stage" refers to the current or immediately preceding point in a process. "At this stage" implies a sense of immediacy that "only at that stage" lacks.