situation at that time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "situation at that time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular point in the past for which there is evidence. For example, "According to reports from the time, the situation at that time was very tense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

I am merely stating that because it shows how we regarded the situation at that time.

Yale University

Nobody talked about the human-rights situation at that time, and they never talk about that.

The New Yorker

"The economic situation at that time will have a huge impact," Mr. King said.

The New York Times

I was just in a bad situation at that time -- I needed to get a job.

The New York Times

They had played well up to that point, so I'm sure they felt good about that situation at that time".

The New York Times - Sports

A quick review of my record would have revealed that I was fully aware of the situation at that time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

"He was trying to kill me, and I have no doubt in my mind that under the emotional situation at the time, that if he would have gotten complete control of my pistol, that he would have killed me or shot me.

The New York Times

The extreme situation at the time that gives the value of − 1 for tanh κ ct − X t)) of Eq. (12) should be considered, because the wave length of the solitary wave is theoretically infinity.

Earth, Planets and Space

In the case of phobias, for example, a person who has once been exposed to an inherently frightening situation afterward experiences anxiety even at neutral objects that were merely associated with that situation at the time but that should not reasonably produce anxiety.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mustaine further noted that the band was not immune to the political situation at the time and that some of his political beliefs were reflected in the songs.

Wikipedia

"The situation at the time was that they were building a new power station at Trawsfynydd," explained Larry Davies, Arriva Trains Wales' community manager on the line today.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past event or decision, use "situation at that time" to provide context and explain why certain actions were taken. This helps readers understand the constraints and factors influencing choices made.

Common error

Avoid using "situation at that time" when the time frame is already clear from the surrounding text. Redundancy can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, try simply "the situation" if the temporal context is obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "situation at that time" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or clause. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage across various domains. It provides temporal context, specifying when a particular situation existed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "situation at that time" is a versatile phrase used to provide temporal context and describe circumstances existing at a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While effective for clarity, it's important to avoid redundancy and consider more concise alternatives like "situation then" when the time frame is already clear. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively use "situation at that time" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

context at that time

Replaces "situation" with a more specific term, emphasizing the surrounding circumstances.

circumstances at that time

Substitutes "situation" to highlight the specific conditions affecting an event.

the state of affairs then

Uses a more formal expression to denote the existing conditions.

prevailing conditions then

Focuses on the dominant or existing circumstances at the time.

the climate at that time

Emphasizes the general atmosphere or prevailing attitude during that period.

the environment then

Broadens the scope to include all external factors influencing the situation.

as things stood then

Informal expression focusing on the existing conditions at a specific past time.

the backdrop then

Highlights the background conditions against which events occurred.

the landscape then

Metaphorically describes the broad overview of conditions.

the reality then

Focuses on the actual conditions that existed.

FAQs

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

Use "situation at that time" to describe the circumstances or conditions existing during a specific period in the past. For example, "The economic "circumstances at that time" made investment risky."

What are some alternatives to "situation at that time"?

You can use phrases like "context at that time", "prevailing conditions then", or "the state of affairs then depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to say "situation at that time" or "situation then"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "situation at that time" provides more emphasis and clarity, especially when the time frame might not be immediately obvious. Using "situation then" is more concise but relies on the reader's understanding of the established temporal context.

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

"Situation at that time" refers to a specific point in the past, while "situation at this time" refers to the present moment. They are used to describe conditions in different temporal contexts.