At All Times vs. At All Time – Which is Correct?
The correct phrase is at all times. It means always, continually, or on every occasion. The phrase at all time is not standard English for this meaning and usually results from dropping the plural ending. Use at all times in formal and casual writing to describe constant availability, repeated behavior, or uninterrupted action correctly.
At All Times or At All Time – Which is Correct?
At all times is the standard English expression. It means “always,” “continually,” or “whenever necessary.” The plural noun times refers either to multiple occasions or to every point during a period.
At all time is generally incorrect when you mean “always.” This form usually results from phonetic confusion or accidentally leaving off the plural ending. However, all time can appear in other grammatical expressions, such as the greatest athlete of all time or an all-time record.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the “always” swap test: if you can replace the expression with always, write at all times. For example, “Keep your phone available at all times” means “Keep your phone available always.” Remember that “always” covers many moments, so times must be plural.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| at all times | Adverbial phrase | Always, continually, or on every occasion | “Employees must wear identification badges at all times.” |
| at all time | Nonstandard phrase in this context | Usually an incorrect version of “at all times” | Use “The alarm remains active at all times,” not “at all time.” |
How to Use At All Times
At all times is an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or an entire clause. It describes something that happens continuously, remains true without interruption, or applies on every relevant occasion. The phrase works in formal, professional, academic, and casual English.
It commonly appears in instructions, warnings, rules, policies, customer-service messages, and descriptions of behavior. It can occur at the beginning or end of a sentence, although the end position is especially common.
Example 1: Please keep your seat belt fastened at all times.
Example 2: The museum’s security system is monitored at all times.
Example 3: She remained calm and courteous at all times during the interview.
Etymology of the Phrase At All Times
The phrase combines the preposition at, the determiner all, and the plural noun times. In older English, time and times could refer to an occasion, a period, or repeated occasions. The expression developed into a fixed adverbial phrase meaning “continually” or “on every occasion.”
Related Concepts
Understanding adverbial phrases and countable nouns helps explain why at all times requires the plural form.
- Adverbial phrase: An adverbial phrase adds information about when, where, how, or how often an action occurs. At all times tells us how continuously something happens.
- Plural countable noun: The noun time can refer to a single occasion, while times refers to multiple occasions or points in a period. The meaning “always” requires the plural form in this expression.
- Fixed expression: A fixed expression is a group of words commonly used in a set grammatical form. At all times is normally learned and used as a complete phrase.
- All-time: All-time is a different compound adjective meaning “throughout history” or “the best, worst, highest, or lowest ever.” For example, “The film became an all-time favorite.”
Examples from Media and Literature
The correct phrase at all times appears naturally in instructions, public notices, journalism, fiction, and dialogue. The following examples show its common uses:
- Public safety notice: “Visitors must remain behind the barrier at all times.”
- News reporting: “The agency advised residents to keep emergency supplies available at all times.”
- Historical fiction: “The guard was expected to remain alert at all times.”
- Film or television dialogue: “You need to tell me the truth at all times.”
- Workplace policy: “Company devices must be handled responsibly at all times.”
At All Times Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Always | On every occasion or throughout all relevant periods |
| Continually | Repeatedly or without a significant break |
| Constantly | Continuously or very frequently |
| Forever | For an endless period, often with a more permanent sense |
| Without interruption | Continuously, with no pause or break |
| Whenever necessary | Whenever a particular need or situation arises |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “at all times” correct?
Yes. At all times is the standard phrase meaning “always,” “continually,” or “on every occasion.”
Question 2: Is “at all time” ever correct?
Not usually when you mean “always.” In standard modern English, use at all times. The words all time can be correct in expressions such as of all time and all-time high.
Question 3: What is the difference between “at all times” and “all the time”?
Both can mean “always” or “continually,” but at all times is often more formal and common in rules, instructions, and policies. All the time is more conversational and can also mean “very frequently.”
Question 4: Should “at all times” be hyphenated?
No. Write at all times without hyphens when it functions as an adverbial phrase. Use hyphens in the adjective all-time, as in “an all-time record.”
Conclusion
Use at all times when you mean “always,” “continually,” or “on every occasion.” At all time is generally a grammatical error caused by omitting the plural ending. The distinction is simple: the idea of repeated moments or continuous duration requires times. Pro tip: Using the standard phrase in professional writing demonstrates careful grammar and protects your credibility.
