since at that time

USAGE SUMMARY

"since at that time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to introduce a clause that expresses the reason why something happened after another event or at a certain point in the past. For example: "I hadn't seen my old friend since at that time we graduated college, so it was a pleasant surprise when we bumped into each other in the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

This wasn't an unusual pursuit, since at that time I was a stranger to adult life everywhere I went.

The New Yorker

Today's audience can perhaps understand the adultery that is rampant in the Decameron, especially since, at that time, most marriages were still arranged by the families.

The New Yorker

"God could have said, for instance, 'You can screw, but only to make babies,' especially since at that time there weren't enough people in the world.

The New Yorker

Especially since at that time Protestant culture was dominant in the country and then, as now, there are Protestant churches and political parties that do not allow their women to hold a paid job, like being a parliamentarian.Nanke Meuter.

The Economist

Dante's father died prior to 1283, since at that time Dante, having come into his majority, was able as an orphan to sell a credit owned by his father.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Quite frankly, Wen Ho Lee being a suspect at that point is only natural, since at that time they had been looking at him for 13 years," said Dr. Hecker, then the Los Alamos director.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Since husbands at that time controlled family property, she technically had nothing to bequeath.

The New York Times - Books

This sounds, well, fishy, since potatoes at that time were presumably still restricted to the Altiplano in South America.

The New York Times - Science

She's told me since that at that time, she had visions of dressing the baby up in beautiful outfits, putting it in a stroller and sashaying down the boulevard.

Huffington Post

Since he was at that time not referred to as magister, or independent master craftsman, Pisano must still have been in his teens.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since the city at that time paid a quarter of the zoo's costs, there was no possibility of saying no.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "since at that time", ensure the temporal relationship is clear. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the point in the past you are referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "since at that time" in simple sentences where "because" or "as" would suffice. This can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since at that time" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that provides a reason or explanation for the main clause. As Ludwig AI explains, it highlights causality in relation to a particular point in the past. Examples show its use in various contexts to connect events and their causes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "since at that time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a causal connector. It's used to explain events by referencing conditions or reasons specific to a point in the past, as Ludwig AI confirms. While it's most frequently found in news, media, and scientific writing, it can be considered neutral to formal in tone. When using "since at that time", ensure that the temporal relationship is clear and avoid overuse in simple sentences where shorter alternatives like "because" or "as" suffice. Remember, it provides additional context and clarity compared to other causal connectors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because then

Replaces "since at that time" with a more concise expression of causality and temporal context.

given the circumstances then

Highlights the specific conditions that led to the outcome at that particular time.

considering the situation at that point

Emphasizes a reflective assessment of the conditions leading up to the event.

due to the conditions then prevailing

Uses more formal language to indicate causality based on existing conditions.

in light of what was happening then

Focuses on unfolding events influencing the subsequent outcome.

as a result of the situation then

Directly states the outcome as a consequence of the prior situation.

because of the state of affairs at that moment

Highlights a broader context impacting the causal relationship.

taking into account the climate then

Considers an overall atmosphere influencing the events at that time.

given what was going on back then

Emphasizes the immediate circumstances affecting causality.

considering things as they stood then

Focuses on the specific conditions and arrangements contributing to the outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "since at that time" to introduce a reason or cause related to a specific point in the past. For example: "The project was delayed, "since at that time" the funding was uncertain."

What's a simpler way to say "since at that time"?

You can often replace "since at that time" with simpler alternatives like "because then" or "as". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to use "since" and "at that time" together?

While "since" already implies a temporal connection, "at that time" can add emphasis or specificity to the time frame you are referencing, so the combination isn't necessarily redundant. The decision depends on context and desired clarity.

Which is more appropriate, "since at that time" or "because then"?

"Since at that time" is typically used to connect events with a more extended timeframe in mind, whereas "because then" is a simpler, more direct causal connector related to a specific moment.