at an appropriate time vs at appropriate time

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "At an appropriate time" is the correct phrase when referring to a specific, singular time that is suitable or right for something. On the other hand, "at appropriate time" is not commonly used in English as it lacks the article 'an' before 'appropriate.'

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 5967 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a specific, singular time that is suitable or right for something.

"at an appropriate time"

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize the specific nature of the time being suitable or right for a particular action or event.

Examples:

Please submit your report at an appropriate time.
We will discuss the matter at an appropriate time.
He arrived at an appropriate time for the meeting.

Show examples from the web [+]

It's fine except that “at an appropriate time” is distractingly vague, and unless there's a really good story to go with it (maybe you're a sailor and you ...
See how to use at an appropriate time in a sentence. Lot of example sentences with the word at an appropriate time.
Feb 23, 2023 ... ... on economic issues "at an appropriate time" but is continuing to warn Beijing of the consequences of violating U.S. sanctions on Russia.
Feb 23, 2023 ... U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the United States would resume economic talks with China "at an appropriate time."
Mar 2, 2023 ... Some North Carolina legislators voted twice this week at an appropriate time — 4:20 p.m. — for legislation that would legalize marijuana for ...
Something that is timely occurs or is done at an appropriate time, especially in time to meet some need: timely intervention. Other words for opportune. 1, apt; ...
Jun 20, 2018 ... Under our laws, the only legal way for an alien to enter this country is at a designated port of entry at an appropriate time.

Alternatives:

at the right time
at the suitable time
at the proper time
at the correct time
at the fitting time

This phrase is not commonly used in English as it lacks the article 'an' before 'appropriate.' It sounds incomplete and awkward.

"at appropriate time"

Show examples from the web [+]

The quantities of test chemical (radioactivity) eliminated in the urine, faeces, and expired air should be determined at appropriate time intervals (see paragraphs 47-49).
Degradation is followed at appropriate time intervals, by measuring either the residual 14C or the residual concentration of test substance when specific chemical analysis is used.
relevant critical endpoints at appropriate time points for setting reference values, where necessary.
Duplicate incubation flasks are removed at appropriate time intervals and the soil samples extracted with appropriate solvents of different polarity and analysed for the test substance and/or transformation products.
Cells are harvested at appropriate times and chromosome preparations are made.
The Member State concerned shall monitor the presence of the specified organism by annual surveys at appropriate times.
Animals are exposed to the test substance by an appropriate route of exposure and are sacrificed at appropriate times after treatment.
A general report on the Commission's verification programme will be drawn up at appropriate times for the attention of the European Parliament and Council.
This should be confirmed by visual inspections carried out at appropriate times and laboratory tests for the possible detection of latent infections.
The central administrator may create accounts and processes and undertake transactions and other operations at appropriate times to implement arrangements made pursuant to Article 25(1b) of Directive 2003/87/EC.
For that to happen, the Member States must urgently establish networks of high-quality, affordable childcare facilities available at appropriate times.
(31) A general report on the Commission's verification programme will be drawn up at appropriate times for the attention of the European Parliament and Council.
So, he or she sits down, animates it, and tries to anticipate what's going to happen, and then these particular animations are just played back at appropriate times in the computer game.
Member States shall require that institutions and persons covered by this Directive apply the customer due diligence procedures not only to all new customers but also at appropriate times to existing customers on a risk-sensitive basis.
Animals are exposed to the test substance by an appropriate route of exposure and are sacrificed at appropriate times after treatment. Prior to sacrifice, animals are treated with a metaphase arresting agent (e.g. Colcemid or colchicine).
visual inspection, at appropriate times, of at least the growing crop of plants intended for replanting for professional use.
Those surveys shall be based on sound scientific and technical principles and shall be carried out at appropriate times of the year with regard to the possibility to detect the specified organism.
it is subjected annually, together with the zone referred to in point (d), to at least two official inspections carried out at appropriate times;
The responsible official body shall carry out intensive monitoring at appropriate times for the presence of the specified organism through inspections on host plants within at least a radius of 1 km of the treatment facility.
(d) to carry out visual observations as necessary and at appropriate times, and in a manner laid down in guideline instructions given by the said responsible official bodies;

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at an appropriate time vs at appropriate time