Cool MateAt the same time vs Simultaneously vs Together
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
At the same time
Simultaneously
Together
| At the same time | Simultaneously | Together | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //æt ðə seɪm taɪm//🇺🇸 //æt ðə seɪm taɪm// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌsɪmlˈteɪniəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌsaɪmlˈteɪniəsli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/təˈɡeðə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/təˈɡeðər/"]/ |
| Meaning | Occurring simultaneously or together. | At the same time as something else. | In one place or doing something with others. |
| Example | They left the house at the same time. | The game will be broadcast simultaneously on TV and radio. | We will work together to complete the project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | |
| Collocations | do two things at the same time, speak at the same time, work at the same time, occur at the same time, feel at the same time | happen simultaneously, simultaneously occur, perform simultaneously | come together, work together, stay together, live together |
| Antonyms | - | sequentially, consecutively, successively | apart, separately |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'at the same time' with 'at the same moment'., Using it with only one subject., Placing it incorrectly in the sentence. | Using it incorrectly to mean 'separately'., Confusing it with 'simultaneous' which is an adjective., Misplacing it in a sentence which can alter the meaning. | Confused with 'together' vs 'apart'; forgetting the meaning of isolation., Using 'together' where 'alongside' would be more appropriate., Misplacing it in a sentence; it often goes after the verb. |
| Usage notes | Use when describing events happening together. Avoid in very formal contexts; more suitable for everyday conversations. | Use 'simultaneously' to describe two or more actions happening at the same time. It works well in both spoken and written contexts but may sound overly formal in casual conversation. | Use 'together' when describing people or things being united or in the same location. It's not used in formal writing; instead, 'jointly' may be preferred. |
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Frequently asked questions: At the same time vs Simultaneously vs Together
What's the difference between At the same time, Simultaneously, and Together?
At the same time: Occurring simultaneously or together. Simultaneously: At the same time as something else. Together: In one place or doing something with others.
Which is more common: At the same time, Simultaneously, and Together?
Together is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: At the same time, Simultaneously, and Together?
Simultaneously is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
At the same time: They left the house at the same time. Simultaneously: The game will be broadcast simultaneously on TV and radio. Together: We will work together to complete the project.
Can I use At the same time, Simultaneously, and Together interchangeably?
Not always. At the same time, Simultaneously, and Together are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.