though at times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "though at times" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to introduce a contrasting idea or to qualify a statement. Example: Though at times it was challenging, I managed to finish the project on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The intensity of the production, though, at times dissipated in the warm night air.

The New York Times

The younger generation of Japanese-Americans, though, at times resent their parents' focus on the internments.

The New York Times - Books

"Damsels in Distress" is a great movie even though, at times, it's not even a good one.

The New Yorker

We boil water and we're doing our part as citizens, which we've always done, though at times we've been misunderstood".

The New Yorker

Clever, though at times far-fetched.

The Economist

The minutiae are instructive, though at times relentless.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Bush seems serene, though at times emotional too.

The New York Times

Service is friendly and responsive, though at times odd.

The New York Times - Food

"Even though at times you can't possibly know or control what everybody in your organization does".

The New York Times - Sports

Though at times masterly, the book is too maddening to be called a masterpiece.

The New York Times - Books

Though at times the conceit can seem precious, the over-all effect is one of charm.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place "though at times" strategically within a sentence to maintain clarity. It often works well at the beginning or in the middle of a clause.

Common error

Avoid using "though at times" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure with alternatives like "although occasionally" or "even if sometimes" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though at times" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast or concession while specifying that the contrast is not constant but occurs intermittently. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "though at times" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that introduces a qualification or contrast, specifying that the contrast occurs intermittently. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct. It appears across various contexts but is most common in news and media. When employing this phrase, consider using it to add nuance to your writing while being mindful of overuse and exploring alternative phrases like "although occasionally". Its neutral register makes it suitable for a range of formal and informal writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although occasionally

Replaces "at times" with "occasionally" maintaining a similar meaning of something happening from time to time. The use of "although" makes the phrase more formal.

while occasionally

Similar to "although occasionally", it swaps "though" for "while", maintaining the sense of contrast. It may sound more colloquial.

even if sometimes

Uses "sometimes" instead of "at times", which offers a more direct way to express the occasional nature of something. "Even if" is used instead of "though".

despite occasional instances

Rephrases the expression to highlight the presence of occasional instances despite a general trend. "Despite" replaces "though".

in spite of periodic moments

Uses "in spite of" to replace "though" and rephrases "at times" to "periodic moments" to convey the occasional nature.

notwithstanding sometimes

Replaces both "though" and "at times" with more formal alternatives, "notwithstanding" and "sometimes", respectively. This makes the overall tone more elevated.

yet intermittently

Replaces "though" with "yet" and "at times" with "intermittently", suggesting that occurrences are not continuous or steady.

albeit sporadically

Substitutes "though" with "albeit" and "at times" with "sporadically", indicating that something occurs irregularly or inconsistently.

however infrequently

Emphasizes the rarity of the occurrence by using "infrequently" instead of "at times". "However" replaces "though".

even when rarely

This variation stresses the infrequency, using "rarely" instead of "at times", while "even when" substitutes "though".

FAQs

How can I use "though at times" in a sentence?

The phrase "though at times" introduces a contrasting element or qualification. For example, "Though at times the work was difficult, it was ultimately rewarding."

What are some alternatives to "though at times"?

You can use phrases like "although occasionally", "even if sometimes", or "while occasionally" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "though at times" or "although at times"?

"Though" and "although" are often interchangeable. "Though at times" is slightly less formal than "although at times", but both are grammatically correct.

Can "though at times" be placed at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "Though at times" can begin a sentence to introduce a contrasting point. For example: "Though at times the service was slow, the food was excellent."