the time at which

USAGE SUMMARY

'the time at which' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific moment in time. For example: "I will never forget the time at which I saw the beautiful sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am talking about the time at which this happened.

Yale University

tB represents the time at which half φ∞ is attained.

Building and Environment

The time at which the mapped transient crosses the failure surface gives the time at which the calandria tube is disassembled.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

The first is the time at which this particular ticket expires.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(6) Record the time at which flame penetration occurs if applicable.

Cornell University

The definition clarifies the time at which a work is created.

Harvard University

Objectives: Recording the time at which the insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter was decided.

Annales Françaises d'Anesthésie et de Réanimation

Perspective matters, as does the time at which the photos were taken.

The Washington Post

The time at which the absorbance equals to 0.01 is generally defined as the clotting time.

Nature

"You must be able to control the time at which you die," he tells Guardian Australia.

The Guardian

It does not record a show, only the time at which you clicked it.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the time at which", ensure the context clearly defines what event marks that specific moment. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the time at which" in informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "when" or "the moment that" often sound more natural and less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the time at which" functions as a relative clause, introducing additional information about a specific moment. It connects a main clause with a subordinate clause that defines or describes that time. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the time at which" serves as a precise relative clause to specify a particular moment. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, it leans toward formal and scientific writing. For less formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "when" or "the moment when" may be more appropriate. Understanding its function and register helps writers choose the best phrasing for clarity and style. With a high source quality score and widespread use across reputable publications, "the time at which" remains a valuable tool in precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the moment when

Replaces "at which" with the more direct "when", simplifying the structure.

the instant that

Emphasizes the immediacy of the event occurring at that time.

the point in time when

Adds specificity by explicitly stating "point in time", making it slightly more formal.

the occasion when

Highlights the event or situation associated with the time.

the stage where

Shifts focus to a phase or step in a process, using "where" to denote the situation.

the date on which

Specifies the exact calendar day when something happened.

the juncture at which

Implies a critical or decisive moment in time.

the period when

Broadens the timeframe to an interval rather than a precise moment.

the timing when

Focuses on the coordination or scheduling of an event.

when

Uses a simple adverbial conjunction to indicate time, removing the relative clause structure.

FAQs

How can I use "the time at which" in a sentence?

Use "the time at which" to specify a particular moment when an event occurs. For example: "I remember "the time at which" the announcement was made."

What can I say instead of "the time at which"?

You can use alternatives like "the moment when", "when", or "the instant that" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "the time that" or "the time at which"?

Both "the time that" and "the time at which" are grammatically correct, but "the time that" is often preferred in modern English due to its simplicity. "The time at which" can sound more formal.

What's the difference between "the time at which" and "at the time when"?

"The time at which" emphasizes a specific point in time, while "at the time when" provides more context or describes a broader period. The former is more precise; the latter, more descriptive.