at any one time vs. at any time

Question

Hi,

1. Do 'at any one time', 'at one time', 'at a time' and 'at any given time' mean the same? Please give some examples for the usage of each.

2. What's the difference between ''at any one time' and 'at any time'?

Thanks,

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Have you tried to Google these expressions? Try that, and see what kinds of examples you find. Then you might want to ask about specific examples here on the forum.

CJ

Igloowhite75 · Answer

Hi Meantolearn!

No, they do not mean the same thing.

At any one time / At any given time (these are the same) - Example "At any given time, around 3,000 Americans are dying of cancer"
The usage suggests that if you look at a situation 'at any given time' - i.e. one moment in time (the moment does not have to be specified), something is happening. Other examples: 'At any one time, there are 2 billion people on Earth who are hungry'

At one time - Example "At one time, Britain was the major power in the world"
The usage denotes a past time, and what was happening at that time. It is quite 'colloquial', so is not exact or scientific. It is the kind of phrase that your grandparents might use, such as "At one time, young children were respectful to their elders!" It is not exact - the grandparent does not state when, exactly, this one time was...!

At any time - Example: "Please come and see me at any time!"
This is a common usage, used often, to suggest that an action or event can happen at any time, i.e. 24 hours a day, 365 a year. So, for example, your doctor may tell you to come and see him 'at any time' if you feel ill. Or, he might tell that someone is ill and could die 'at any time'.

Hope this helps!

Ed
26/M/British

at any one time vs. at any time

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