there were points when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were points when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate specific moments or instances in time during a discussion or narrative. Example: "There were points when I felt overwhelmed by the workload, but I managed to push through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It's been a wild year in the GPU market as there were points when ordinary gamers, who have relied on Nvidia for years for the powerful cards used to play the latest games, found inventory scarce for the company's latest generation of hardware.

TechCrunch

"There were points when he was like a rock star.

The New York Times

"There were points when I was hospitalised every day," she said.

Independent

"There were points when I was busting my arse on a treadmill, on a cross-trainer, thinking: 'I'm doing this for England.' Then I got injury after injury.

The Guardian - Sport

There were points when we'd sleep in separate bedrooms and then one of us would reach out and get the other one back.

The New York Times

There were points when I had 60p in my bank account, where I wasn't keeping track of things, and it would have been helpful to have learned about business when I was in school.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

There are points when the mites can be interrupted by temperature changes.

The Guardian - Tech

Nevertheless, there are points when, as a reader, you're urging her get the hell out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There are points when they are hugely entertaining, particularly when their wildly flailing second guitarist, who might almost be in a different band, windmills centre stage.

The Guardian - Music

There are points when you alter your course, but most of what one learns, if that's the word, occurs gradually.

The Guardian - Arts

After they are charged as adults, he said, there are points when the court can change a defendant's status to that of a youthful offender, which would seal any conviction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were points when" to highlight specific moments in a narrative or discussion where a particular event or feeling occurred. It's useful for emphasizing particular instances within a broader context.

Common error

While acceptable, "there were points when" can sound less sophisticated in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "at certain junctures" or "on several occasions" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were points when" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the timing of an event or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it introduces a temporal element, indicating that something occurred at particular moments. Examples from Ludwig show it introducing a condition or state that existed at specific instances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there were points when" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for emphasizing specific moments in time, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial phrase, adds precision to narratives, and maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. While highly prevalent in news and media, consider more formal alternatives like "at certain junctures" for sophisticated writing. This phrase helps writers highlight specific instances, enhancing clarity and detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were times when

Replaces "points" with "times", emphasizing duration rather than specific moments.

there were moments when

Substitutes "points" with "moments", highlighting brief instances.

there were instances where

Uses "instances" to refer to specific occurrences, changing the preposition.

at various instances

Uses "various" to emphasize the diversity of moments in question.

there were situations in which

Uses "situations" to place the attention to the occurrence.

on several occasions

Expresses the idea of multiple instances using a more formal tone.

at certain junctures

Employs "junctures" to indicate critical moments or stages.

in some cases

Offers a more general expression of specific situations occurring.

there were stages where

Focuses on phases or periods during which something happened.

during certain periods

Highlights specific timeframes within a larger duration.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "there were points when"?

Alternatives include "there were times when", "there were moments when", or "on several occasions". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

How can I use "there were points when" in a sentence?

You can use "there were points when" to indicate specific moments during which something happened. For example, "There were points when I doubted my ability to finish the project on time."

Is "there were points when" formal or informal?

"There were points when" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both casual and journalistic contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "at certain junctures".

What's the difference between "there were points when" and "there were times when"?

While similar, "there were points when" emphasizes specific, distinct moments, while "there were times when" implies a duration or period. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight specific instances or ongoing periods.