only at that time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only at that time" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used when a particular situation exists at a particular moment in time, but is not expected to exist at any other time. For example, you could say, "I was only able to get a good deal on the car only at that time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

They appear only at that time of year.

The New York Times - Magazine

"If Clemens decides to play with us, then we will address it only at that time," Torre said.

The New York Times

Although the influence of the free jazz of America – of Ornette Coleman or John Coltrane – can be heard on Down Another Road, it sounds as though it could only have been made in London, and only at that time.

The Guardian - Music

But the transcript of the interview released by the White House today said, "And it was only at that time that I worked out with Colin Powell this 'don't ask, don't tell' thing".

The New York Times

In fact, we have to ensure that the quantum state will have the shape of the object not only at that time, but for some period of time.

SEP

Knowers in time have access to the time with T, and perhaps T itself, only at that time: so what changes over time is not what is true, but what temporal believers have access to.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

[audience laughs] AW: I thought it was only once at that time.

The Guardian - Film

It was only at this time that he abandoned his job in a delicatessen to become a professional actor.

Wikipedia

This is the first (and only at this time) city that has been 'created' so far.

WikiHow

This confusion not only occurred at that time, but also prevails nowadays.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

The service was first launched in May, but was only available in an invite-only basis at that time.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only at that time" to clearly specify that a condition or event was limited to a particular moment and did not occur before or after. This can enhance clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "only at that time" when you mean "at that time" without the exclusivity. The inclusion of "only" indicates that the situation was unique to that specific moment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only at that time" functions as an adverbial phrase specifying the time frame for a condition or action, emphasizing its exclusivity to that specific moment. Ludwig confirms the phrase's validity and offers examples of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only at that time" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to emphasize that a condition or event was exclusive to a particular moment. Ludwig's analysis of various sources indicates that while the phrase is valid and its register is mostly neutral, it's crucial to ensure that the exclusivity it implies is intentional and contextually accurate. This ensures clarity and prevents potential misinterpretations. The phrase appears in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts, as evidenced by the provided examples, indicating its versatility in different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely at that moment

Emphasizes the uniqueness and exclusivity of the occurrence to a specific point in time.

just then

Shorter and more informal, indicating a specific point in time when something happened.

exclusively during that period

Highlights the time-bound nature of the event or condition.

specifically at that instance

Focuses on the exact moment something occurs, with emphasis on precision.

uniquely in that era

Implies that something was special or exclusive to a particular era.

precisely at that juncture

Indicates a precise moment or turning point when something occurred.

at no other time

Emphasizes that something did not or could not happen at any other moment.

merely at that stage

Highlights a particular phase or point in development when something was true.

singularly at that occasion

Focuses on a specific event when something was uniquely experienced or valid.

confined to that timeframe

Suggests that an event or condition was restricted to a certain period.

FAQs

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

Use "only at that time" to indicate that a specific situation or condition existed solely during a particular period and not at any other point. For example, "The product was "only available" for purchase "only at that time"".

What phrases can replace "only at that time"?

Alternatives include "just then", "solely at that moment", or "exclusively during that period", depending on the desired nuance and level of formality.

Is it redundant to use "only at that time" multiple times in a single paragraph?

Using "only at that time" repeatedly can sound repetitive. Consider using alternative phrasing or rephrasing sentences to avoid redundancy and improve readability.

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

"At that time" simply refers to a particular point in the past. "Only at that time" specifies that a condition or event was exclusively valid or possible during that period and not at any other. The addition of "only" emphasizes exclusivity.