Another Way to Say At the Time: 10 Alternatives You’ll Want to Use

If you need another way to say “at the time,” you can use phrases such as “then,” “at that point,” “back then,” “during that period,” “in those days,” or “at that moment.” The best choice depends on whether you are referring to a specific moment, a past period, or a situation that existed previously.

Key Takeaways

• “Then” is the simplest and most natural alternative to “at the time.”
• “At that point” works well when describing a particular stage or situation.
• “Back then” is useful for casual conversations about the past.
• “During that period” and “in those days” refer to a broader past timeframe.
• “At that moment” is best when you mean one specific point in time.

“At the time” is a common phrase used to describe when something happened in relation to a past event or period. However, repeating the same expression can make your writing feel predictable.

Choosing another way to say “at the time” can help you make your sentences more precise. Some alternatives focus on a specific moment, while others describe a longer period in the past.

What Does “Another Way to Say At the Time” Mean?

The phrase “at the time” usually refers to a particular point or period when something happened. It is often used when talking about past events, decisions, experiences, or circumstances.

For example, you might say, “At the time, I didn’t understand why she made that decision.” The phrase connects your past understanding with the circumstances that existed then.

People commonly use “at the time” in conversations, personal stories, business writing, reports, biographies, and historical discussions. Depending on the context, alternatives can make the sentence more casual, formal, specific, or descriptive.

Why Use Other Ways to Say “At the Time”?

Using different expressions can make your writing more natural and help readers understand exactly what timeframe you mean.

Consider another phrase when you want to:

• Avoid repeating “at the time” throughout an article.
• Make a sentence sound more conversational.
• Refer to a specific moment rather than a general period.
• Describe a longer period in the past.
• Make professional or historical writing more precise.
• Match the tone of your audience and situation.

10 Best Other Ways to Say “At the Time”

1. Then

Meaning

“Then” is one of the simplest alternatives to “at the time.” It usually refers to a past point or situation that has already been established in the conversation or writing.

Because it is short and flexible, “then” works in both everyday and professional communication.

Best For

• Professional
• Casual
• Friendly
• Formal

Example 1

I didn’t realize how important the decision was then.

Example 2

The company had only five employees then.

Quick Tip

Use “then” when the reader already understands which past time you are discussing. It keeps your sentence concise without repeating the full timeframe.

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2. At That Point

Meaning

“At that point” refers to a particular stage in a situation, process, or period. It often emphasizes the circumstances that existed when something happened or a decision was made.

It can suggest that the situation later changed.

Best For

• Professional
• Formal
• Polite

Example 1

At that point, we had not received any confirmation from the supplier.

Example 2

She was still learning the software at that point.

Quick Tip

Choose “at that point” when you want to emphasize a specific stage rather than simply referring to the past.

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3. Back Then

Meaning

“Back then” is a natural, conversational expression for referring to an earlier period. It often appears when someone is remembering how things were in the past.

The phrase has a relaxed and nostalgic quality, so it is more casual than “at the time.”

Best For

• Casual
• Friendly
• Warm

Example 1

Back then, most of our customers placed orders by phone.

Example 2

I didn’t know much about graphic design back then.

Quick Tip

Use “back then” in personal stories, conversations, blogs, and informal writing. Avoid it when a highly formal tone is required.

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4. At That Moment

Meaning

“At that moment” usually refers to one specific point in time rather than a broad period. It works especially well when describing something that happened suddenly or immediately.

The phrase creates a stronger sense of a particular moment.

Best For

• Formal
• Professional
• Friendly
• Warm

Example 1

At that moment, I realized that we had taken the wrong train.

Example 2

He didn’t know what to say at that moment.

Quick Tip

Use “at that moment” when the event happened at a clearly defined instant. For a longer period, choose “during that period” instead.

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5. During That Period

Meaning

“During that period” refers to a span of time rather than one exact moment. It is useful when discussing events, conditions, or activities that continued for a while.

This phrase has a more formal and precise tone than “back then.”

Best For

• Professional
• Formal

Example 1

During that period, the company expanded into three new states.

Example 2

She gained valuable experience during that period of her career.

Quick Tip

Use this expression when you are talking about an extended timeframe, especially in reports, essays, biographies, or historical writing.

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6. In Those Days

Meaning

“In those days” refers to how things were during an earlier period. It often compares the past with the present and can create a reflective or nostalgic tone.

The phrase is particularly natural when discussing old habits, technology, lifestyles, or experiences.

Best For

• Casual
• Friendly
• Warm

Example 1

In those days, people often kept important documents in filing cabinets.

Example 2

In those days, our neighborhood had only a few small stores.

Quick Tip

Use “in those days” when you are describing how life or conditions were different in the past.

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7. At That Stage

Meaning

“At that stage” refers to a particular point in a process, development, career, project, or situation. It focuses more on progress or circumstances than on a specific clock time.

It is especially useful when describing something that developed over several steps.

Best For

• Professional
• Formal

Example 1

At that stage, the project still needed approval from the board.

Example 2

He had only completed the first year of training at that stage.

Quick Tip

Use “at that stage” when the past time is connected to progress or development. It is especially useful in workplace and academic writing.

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8. During That Time

Meaning

“During that time” refers to the period when a previously mentioned event or situation was taking place. It usually describes something that happened throughout or within that timeframe.

It is a flexible alternative that works in many everyday and professional contexts.

Best For

• Professional
• Casual
• Friendly
• Polite

Example 1

I was living in Chicago during that time.

Example 2

The team made several important changes during that time.

Quick Tip

Use “during that time” when the timeframe has already been mentioned and you want to avoid repeating its name.

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9. At That Particular Time

Meaning

“At that particular time” is a more deliberate version of “at the time.” It highlights a specific past period or moment and can clarify that the circumstances were different from those of another time.

It works well when precision matters.

Best For

• Professional
• Formal
• Polite

Example 1

At that particular time, the company had not yet launched its online store.

Example 2

I was working on a completely different project at that particular time.

Quick Tip

Use this phrase when you need to distinguish one past point from other moments being discussed.

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10. Contemporaneously

Meaning

“Contemporaneously” means happening or existing during the same period as another event. It is considerably more formal than “at the time” and is most common in legal, academic, historical, or professional writing.

Unlike casual alternatives, it emphasizes events occurring in the same timeframe.

Best For

• Formal
• Professional

Example 1

The records were created contemporaneously with the original transaction.

Example 2

Several newspapers reported the event contemporaneously.

Quick Tip

Use “contemporaneously” only when its formal tone fits the context. In everyday writing, “at the time” or “during that period” will usually sound more natural.

Comparison Table

Alternative	Best Used In	Tone
Then	Everyday and professional writing	Neutral
At That Point	Situations and stages	Professional
Back Then	Personal stories and conversations	Casual
At That Moment	Specific moments	Neutral
During That Period	Reports and historical writing	Formal
In Those Days	Past experiences and comparisons	Warm
At That Stage	Projects and development	Professional
During That Time	General past periods	Neutral
At That Particular Time	Precise past references	Formal
Contemporaneously	Legal, academic, and historical writing	Very formal

Common Mistakes

1. Using “Back Then” in Formal Writing

“Back then” sounds conversational and may not fit a formal report, academic paper, or business document. Use “during that period” or “at that stage” when a more professional tone is appropriate.

2. Confusing a Moment With a Period

“At that moment” usually refers to a specific instant, while “during that period” describes a longer timeframe. Choosing the wrong one can change the meaning of your sentence.

3. Using “Contemporaneously” Too Often

Although “contemporaneously” is grammatically correct, it sounds highly formal. Using it in ordinary conversation can make a sentence feel unnecessarily complicated.

4. Choosing an Alternative Without Considering Context

Not every synonym works equally well in every sentence. “In those days” can sound warm and nostalgic, while “at that stage” focuses more on development or progress.

5. Replacing the Phrase When You Don’t Need To

“At the time” is already natural and correct. You do not need to replace it simply for the sake of variety; change it when another expression provides a clearer meaning or better tone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common alternative to “at the time”?

“Then” is one of the most common and natural alternatives to “at the time.” It works especially well when the reader already knows which past period you mean. For example, “At the time, I lived in Boston” can become “I lived in Boston then.”

Is “back then” the same as “at the time”?

“Back then” can mean something similar to “at the time,” but it usually refers to a broader period in the past. It also sounds more casual and conversational. Use it for personal stories or memories rather than formal reports or academic writing.

What is a formal way to say “at the time”?

“During that period,” “at that stage,” and “at that particular time” can provide a more formal alternative. The best choice depends on your meaning. “During that period” works for an extended timeframe, while “at that stage” focuses on a point in a process or development.

Can I use “at that moment” instead of “at the time”?

Yes, but the meaning can become more specific. “At that moment” usually points to one particular instant, while “at the time” can refer to a broader period. For example, use “at that moment” when describing a sudden realization or event.

What is another way to say “at the time” in an essay?

For an essay, “during that period,” “at that point,” or “at that stage” can work well. These expressions allow you to avoid repetition while maintaining a clear, academic tone. Choose the phrase based on whether you mean a period, a specific point, or a stage of development.

Is “then” a synonym for “at the time”?

“Then” can function as a synonym for “at the time” when the relevant past timeframe is already clear. For example, “I didn’t understand it at the time” can become “I didn’t understand it then.” However, “then” can have other meanings, so context matters.

What is a casual way to say “at the time”?

“Back then” is a common casual alternative. It works well when talking about memories, childhood, older technology, past experiences, or how things used to be. For example, “Back then, I didn’t have much experience with computers.”

Which alternative should I use in professional writing?

For professional writing, “at that point,” “during that period,” “at that stage,” or “during that time” are generally useful choices. The right option depends on your sentence. “At that stage” is especially effective when discussing a project’s development, while “during that period” suits longer timeframes.

Conclusion

There are several natural ways to say “at the time,” and the best alternative depends on the timeframe and tone you need. Use “then” for a simple, flexible option, “at that point” for a specific stage, and “at that moment” for one clearly defined instant.

For longer periods, “during that period,” “during that time,” and “in those days” can provide more context. If you are writing professionally or academically, “at that stage” and “at that particular time” can add precision, while “contemporaneously” is appropriate for highly formal contexts.

The key is not to replace “at the time” automatically. Choose an alternative when it makes your meaning clearer, your tone more natural, or your writing less repetitive.