simultaneously

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "simultaneously" is a perfectly acceptable word in written English.
You can use it when you wish to make a statement regarding two or more events happening at the same time. For example, "The two teams ran simultaneously around the track, their footsteps echoing off the bleachers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The research also highlights the contradiction of governments seeking to maximise their nation's fossil fuel extraction, as in the UK, while simultaneously pledging to limit global warming to 2C.

The Guardian

For those still too sleepy to grasp the show's theme of simultaneously serving God and Mammon, there was more to come.

The Guardian - Business

Xosar has risen in stature as a figurehead of a somewhat cosmic live hardware scene, self-releasing records with titles such as Psychick Justice, while simultaneously checking in with a plethora of tastemaker labels.

The Guardian - Music

His girlfriend is performing an audition, singing her talentless heart out for some Hooray Henry producers, who are laughing at her, and simultaneously gossiping among themselves.

The Guardian - Film

Holding that joy and grief simultaneously makes her one of the strongest people I know.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Wolf Hall's director Peter Kosminsky said: "I grew up in a three channel era when you really could say that a significant proportion of the population was simultaneously watching the latest TV drama.

The Guardian

No detail is too minute, from the podiums – so that the candidates appear at the same height – to the insistence that both candidates walk on stage simultaneously.

The Guardian

Simultaneously as my shit's going down, [and I'm] being put in the trash can.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was predictable that last week's House of Lords report on the constitutional implications of a yes vote in the Scottish referendum was brushed aside by David Cameron during his latest Scottish visit and simultaneously trashed by the Scottish nationalists.

The Guardian

For Mr Sarkozy to win, he has to simultaneously gain the bulk of the 6.4 million voters who supported Ms Le Pen in the first round, a large chuck of François Bayrou's centrist voters and new voters who abstained in the round.

The Guardian - Opinion

This offers the opportunity for other NHS staff to simultaneously support the schemes and learn from them, feeding back ideas and lessons to their own areas.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simultaneously" to clearly indicate that two or more events are happening at the same time, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, "The alarms sounded simultaneously, signaling the start of the drill."

Common error

Avoid using "simultaneously" when events occur in sequence rather than at the same time. For example, instead of saying "She entered the room and simultaneously sat down", use "She entered the room and then sat down."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "simultaneously" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adverbs, or clauses to indicate that actions or events occur at the same time. As Ludwig AI states, it signifies two or more events happening in conjunction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

29%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simultaneously" is a commonly used adverb that signifies that two or more actions or events occur at the same time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, business, and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, avoid using it when describing sequential events. Alternatives include "at the same time", "concurrently", and "contemporaneously", depending on the desired level of formality. Use "simultaneously" to enhance precision and avoid ambiguity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At the same time

More common and slightly less formal.

Concurrently

A more formal and technical alternative.

Contemporaneously

A more formal and less frequently used alternative.

In unison

Suggests a coordinated action or event.

At once

Implies immediacy and suddenness.

Together

A simpler and more general term.

In parallel

Suggests actions occurring independently but at the same period.

Side by side

Emphasizes the proximity or adjacency of the events.

At the selfsame moment

Emphasizes the exact correspondence in time.

Synchronously

Technical term, often used in computing or engineering contexts.

FAQs

How do I use "simultaneously" in a sentence?

"Simultaneously" indicates that two or more things are happening at the same time. For example, "The orchestra played and the audience "simultaneously applauded"."

What are some alternatives to "simultaneously"?

You can use alternatives like "at the same time", "concurrently", or "contemporaneously", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to use "at the same time simultaneously"?

Yes, using "at the same time simultaneously" is redundant. "Simultaneously" already means "at the same time", so using both phrases together is unnecessary.

What's the difference between "simultaneously" and "synchronously"?

"Simultaneously" generally means at the same time, while "synchronously" often implies a coordinated or precisely timed occurrence. For example, two clocks can ring simultaneously, but dancers move synchronously.