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What is At the time in English? How to use At the time in English correctly!

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When you're crafting precise English sentences, timing matters more than you might realize. The phrase "at the time" serves as a crucial temporal anchor that transforms vague statements into clear, specific communications. This seemingly simple expression carries the power to eliminate confusion and establish exact chronological context in your writing and speech. Understanding when and how to use "at the time" correctly separates confident English speakers from those who struggle with temporal precision, whether you're writing formal reports, engaging in casual conversations, or telling compelling stories.

What is At the time? The usage At the time in English

I. What is At the time in English?

What is At the time in English? Let's find out the concept and some words/ phrases that go along with At the time in English!

1. Definition of At the time in English

At the time (/ət ðə taɪm/)functions as an adverbial phrase that pinpoints specific moments in the past, creating a temporal bridge between events and their circumstances. This expression tells your audience exactly when something occurred relative to other events or conditions that existed during that particular period.

For example:

At the time, I thought buying that expensive car was a great investment, but now I realize it was a mistake.
He was the youngest player to ever win that award at the time.
We were living in a small apartment at the time, but we dreamed of owning a house someday.
At the time of the accident, I didn't feel any pain, but later the injuries became apparent.

2. Words accompanying At the time in English

The phrase At the time in English is often followed by the preposition "of", creating the phrase "At the time of something" with the meaning "at a specific time/ moment."

For example:

At the time of the robbery, the security cameras were malfunctioning, so there was no footage to identify the suspect.
The company was experiencing financial difficulties at the time of the merger.
At the time of the earthquake, many people were still asleep, unaware of the disaster.
They were in the middle of a heated argument at the time of the phone call.

II. The position of At the time in English sentences

So, what is the position of At the time in English sentences? The phrase At the time in English can be placed at the beginning, end, or between two clauses in an English sentence.

Position	Example
Beginning of sentence	At the time of the interview, she had just completed her master's degree and was actively seeking employment. At the time of the accident, he was texting on his phone, which contributed to the collision.
End of sentence	The car broke down on the highway at the time of rush hour. The patient was under anesthesia at the time of the surgery.
Between two clauses	He was studying engineering at the time he decided to change his major to computer science. She was training for a marathon at the time she suffered a knee injury.

Now that you know the three positions of At the time in English in a sentence, make sure to use it accurately!

III. Other idioms with Time in English

In addition to At the time in English meaning, let's learn some other common idioms with Time that you often encounter in English communication!

Idioms with Time	Meaning	Example
against time	with utmost speed, so as to finish by a specified time	The doctors are working against time to find a cure for the rare disease before it spreads further. The firefighters battled against time to extinguish the raging inferno and save the neighboring buildings.
ahead of/ behind time	earlier or later than the time when something happens, should be done etc	The project was completed two weeks ahead of time, exceeding everyone's expectations. The concert started 30 minutes behind time due to technical difficulties with the sound system.
at all times	always, continuously	It's important to wear protective gear when working on the construction site at all times. The security guards patrol the premises to ensure safety at all times.
at the best of times	even in the most favorable circumstances	She's not a patient person at the best of times, so waiting in long lines is challenging for her. He's not an organized individual at the best of times, so managing a project is going to be a struggle for him.
at the same time	simultaneously; at once	He was nervous and excited at the same time before his big performance on stage. The movie was both thrilling and heartwarming at the same time.
at a time	during any one period	The chef chopped vegetables one at a time. The actor memorized and recited two sentences at a time.
at my, your, his, etc. time of life	at a person's present age, especially when that person is older	He's enjoying retirement at his time of life. Traveling becomes more challenging at her time of life due to health issues.
at times	sometimes; on occasions	She can be quite talkative, but at times, she prefers to be alone with her thoughts. The traffic in the city can be chaotic at times, especially during rush hour.
better luck next time	said to tell someone that you hope they will succeed when they try again	If you didn't make it to the finals this time, better luck next time. It's disappointing that you didn't get the job, better luck next time.
for the time being	for the present; until some other arrangement is made	We'll be working from home for the time being until the office renovations are completed. She's staying with her parents for the time being until she finds a new apartment.
from time to time	sometimes, but not often	I enjoy indulging in a piece of chocolate from time to time as a little treat. They visit their grandparents from time to time to spend quality time together.
in the course of time	after a period of time	In the course of time, technology has advanced significantly. It is believed that in the course of time, renewable energy sources will replace fossil fuels as the primary energy source.
in the fullness of time	after a due length of time has elapsed; eventually	The truth will be revealed in the fullness of time, and justice will prevail. Patience is key when waiting for opportunities to unfold in the fullness of time.
in good time	with no risk of being late	It's always best to arrive at the venue in good time to secure a good seat. Start preparing for the exam in good time so that you have enough opportunity to review the material.
in (less than/ next to) no time	happen almost immediately or very quickly	With her efficient organizational skills, she finished the project in no time. He fixed the broken car engine in less than no time.
in olden times	a long time ago	People relied on handwritten letters as the primary means of communication in olden times. In olden times, villages would celebrate harvest festivals to give thanks for a bountiful crop.
of all time	that has ever lived or existed	Williams was widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. BTS was considered one of the most influential bands of all time.
once upon a time	used at the beginning of children's stories to mean "a long time ago"	Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there reigned a wise. Once upon a time, in a mystical forest, there dwelled a mischievous sprite.

Besides At the time in English meaning, let's learn these English idioms about time above to avoid confusion and use them correctly in English!

IV. Differentiating At the time, At times, During the time and At that time

Many learners often confuse At the time, At times, During the time, At that time and use them inappropriately in certain contexts. Therefore, let's differentiate between At the time, At times, During the time, At that time with PREP!

Phrase	How to Use	Focus / Function	Example
At the time	Used to refer to a specific moment when something happened in the past.	A particular point or moment in the past.	At the time of the announcement, the stock prices plummeted. He was studying engineering at the time he met Sarah.
At that time	Refers to a specific point in time (often future or hypothetical).	Specific time, often affecting present/future.	We are planning our wedding at that time, full of excitement. They are saving up for a trip at that time.
At times	Means "sometimes" or "on certain occasions".	Sporadic or occasional occurrences.	The weather can be unpredictable in this region, with sudden showers at times. The service can be slow at times.
During the time	Used to describe something occurring throughout a period.	A longer process or span of time.	During the time of the Renaissance, there was a flourishing of art. During the time of the Cold War, tensions rose.

Once you understand the differences in usage between At the time, At times, During the time, At that time make sure to use them correctly in different English contexts!

V. Dodging the Pitfalls: Common Mistakes

Language learners frequently struggle with "at the time" placement and tense coordination, creating confusion rather than clarity. Recognizing these common errors helps you avoid similar mistakes while developing confident usage patterns.

Mistake Type	Incorrect Example	Correct Version	Explanation
Wrong Tense	"I am working at the time when the accident happens."	"I was working at the time when the accident happened."	Must maintain consistent past temporal framework
Awkward Placement	"The manager, at the time, was reviewing performance."	"The manager was reviewing performance at the time."	Sentence-final placement creates smoother flow

VI. Exercise using At the time in English with answers

After learning the concept of At the time in English and its detailed usage, let's dive into the following exercise with PREP to become familiar with the phrase At the time in English!

Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the following idioms: at the time, at a time, at the same time, at all times, at times.

1. She was juggling multiple projects, dealing with tight deadlines and high-stress levels. It seemed like she had to work on everything ________.

2. ________ of the accident, he was texting on his phone.

3. The conductor raised his baton, and the orchestra began playing. The music filled the air as the audience sat in awe of the beautiful symphony happening ________.

4. Parenting can be challenging, especially when you have young children. ________, it feels like a constant juggling act," she admitted.

5. "I have my moments of doubt," she confessed. ________, I question if I'm on the right path."

6. ________ they signed the contract, they were unaware of the hidden fees and additional charges.

Answer:

1. at a time	2. At the time	3. at the same time
4. at all times	5. at times	6. At the time

Understanding "at the time" represents more than learning a single phrase; it demonstrates mastery of temporal precision in English communication. This knowledge empowers you to create clear, unambiguous statements that serve your readers' need for contextual understanding. Temporal precision distinguishes sophisticated communicators from those who struggle with chronological clarity, and your growing confidence with phrases like "at the time" signals developing expertise in one of English's most challenging aspects. Every "at the time" you use correctly demonstrates respect for your audience's need for clear, unambiguous communication, building trust and establishing your credibility as a thoughtful, careful communicator who understands the power of precision in language.

Chloe

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.