were at the same time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were at the same time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more events occurred simultaneously. Example: "The two projects were at the same time, making it challenging for the team to manage their resources effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The two events were at the same time.

The New York Times

Heavenly bodies were at the same time both deities and personified numbers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Lewisohns' lawyers say: "Both children were at the same time Danish under Danish law and British under British law".

The Guardian - Business

We were continuously chatted up by men who were, at the same time, trying to mug us.

The Guardian - Travel

But, we were at the same time very happy: it was a flame of prosperity, peace and endless possibilities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Equally important influences came from several eminent figures who were at the same time scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers G.F.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It brought to French poetry a new music; the themes were at the same time intimate and religious.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"If both games were at the same time Liverpool v United would dwarf City v Chelsea," said Paddy Power's spokesman Darren Haines.

The Guardian - Sport

But Labour noted new contract extensions with Virgin and National Express were at the same time returning £78.5m less to the Treasury annually than under previous franchises.

The Guardian - Money

Some were the same sorts of exiled Arab radicals who were at the same time forming Al Qaeda in Peshawar, in northwestern Pakistan.

The New York Times

The reason for the violence was, apparently, that we Jews were at the same time unacceptably rich and flashy and unacceptably poor and miserly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were at the same time" to clearly indicate that two or more actions, events, or states occurred simultaneously. This is particularly useful in historical or scientific contexts where precision in timing is important.

Common error

Avoid using "were at the same time" when a simple sequential description suffices. For example, instead of saying "He entered the room and, they were at the same time, started talking" say "He entered the room and started talking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were at the same time" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating that two or more events or states occurred simultaneously. It connects clauses or sentences to show temporal concurrence, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were at the same time" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that two or more events or states occurred simultaneously. Ludwig AI indicates that it is appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy, ensuring clarity and conciseness in writing. Alternatives such as "occurred simultaneously" or "coincided" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance desired. This phrase is a useful tool for emphasizing temporal concurrence and providing context in diverse forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurred simultaneously

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb indicating simultaneous occurrence.

happened concurrently

Uses 'concurrently' to express the idea of happening at the same time.

coincided

Implies that events happened at the same time by chance or arrangement.

existed simultaneously

Focuses on the simultaneous existence of states or conditions.

transpired at once

Replaces the phrase with a more concise expression emphasizing immediacy and simultaneity.

were contemporaneous

Replaces the phrase with an adjective indicating something existing or occurring in the same period.

developed in parallel

Suggests a simultaneous but independent development of events or processes.

unfolded together

Emphasizes the concurrent unfolding of events.

were synchronous

Uses a technical term for occurring at the same rate or time.

existed in tandem

Highlights that two or more things are functioning together at the same time.

FAQs

What does "were at the same time" mean?

The phrase "were at the same time" means that two or more things happened or existed simultaneously. It emphasizes the concurrence of events or states.

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

You can use "were at the same time" to connect two simultaneous events or states, for example: "The protests and the economic downturn "occurred simultaneously", exacerbating the social unrest."

What are some alternatives to "were at the same time"?

Alternatives include "happened concurrently", "coincided", or "existed simultaneously" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "were at the same time" with other indicators of simultaneity?

Yes, using "were at the same time" with words that already indicate simultaneous occurrence (such as "simultaneously") can be redundant. Choose one for clarity and conciseness.