How to say “at the same time” like a native speaker
Simultaneously, or used to introduce a contrasting point that is also true. The second use is similar to “nevertheless”.
All phrases · Common idioms
Hear “at the same time” in real speech
Clip 1 · VOA Learning English
James Madison, Rescued rower, Imagery, Guilty pleasure · 19:28
About this video
Caty Weaver and Mario Ritter Jr. introduce a VOA Learning English programme with slower speech for learners. Its stories include James Madison, the rescue of a Pacific rower, and ways to connect vocabulary with personal experience.
In context
How is that?Well, the problem is Ana wants two things at the same time.
And the two things don't really go together.
Clip 2 · Adam Grant
Adam Grant: How to stop languishing and start finding flow | TED · 8:38
About this video
Adam Grant describes falling into patterns of late-night scrolling and television watching despite his own rules. He discusses languishing and contrasts passive entertainment with active involvement that can lead to flow.
In context
Why don't we start a family game?And soon we were playing every day with a video call running at the same time.
And after a couple of weeks I stopped feeling so blah.
Clip 3 · Matt Walker
Sleep Is Your Superpower | Matt Walker | TED · 14:35
About this video
Matt Walker discusses sleep and its relationship with health. He presents examples involving reproductive health and the immune system to explain why he considers sleep important.
In context
The first is regularity.Go to bed at the same time, wake up at the same time, no matter whether it's the weekday or the weekend.
Regularity is king,
When to use “at the same time”
- Describing simultaneous tasks: “I can't read and listen to the news at the same time.”
- Expressing mixed feelings: “I'm excited about moving. At the same time, I'll miss my friends.”
Common learner mistake
Keep the article: “at the same time”, not “at same time”.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “at the same time”
“At the” is usually quick and weak. Keep “same” and “time” as the two main beats.
Related phrases
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A slow line to begin with: listen to how “don’t need to” runs together, then say it at the speaker’s pace.
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