In when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In when" is not correct and usable in written English.
It does not convey a clear meaning and is likely a grammatical error or a fragment. Example: "In when we first met, I felt an instant connection."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In when goes to, we have (2.14).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

They tune in when Santana pitches".

The New York Times

"We'll step in when needed.

The New York Times - Magazine

We'd call someone in when need be.

Independent

I'll be in when I'm in.

The New Yorker

Silence sets in when gulls veer away.

The New York Times - Books

Ought I give in when temptation calls?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Creepiness comes in when consumers are surprised," Mr. Morrissey said.

The New York Times

She said she'd come in when she's in New York".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Oh, and check-in when they need to.

TechCrunch

Reflection moments should be built-in when working in teams.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "in when" in your writing. It is generally grammatically incorrect. Rephrase your sentence using "when", "at the time when", or another appropriate temporal conjunction for clarity and correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is adding unnecessary prepositions like "in" before temporal clauses starting with "when". Ensure you use "when" directly followed by the clause, rather than inserting "in" which creates grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in when" typically functions as an incorrect attempt to combine a preposition with a temporal conjunction. Ludwig AI notes that it is generally not considered grammatically correct. Its usage often leads to ungrammatical sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

26%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in when" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, it does not convey a clear meaning and is likely a grammatical error. Although it appears in a number of contexts, especially in News & Media and Wiki sources, replacing it with alternatives like "when", "at the time when", or rephrasing the sentence will enhance clarity and correctness. Always strive for grammatically sound constructions to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when

A simpler temporal conjunction, replacing the unnecessary preposition "in".

at the time when

Replaces "in when" to specify a particular point in time.

during the period when

Specifies the duration of time in which something occurs, unlike the fragment "in when".

as soon as

Emphasizes the immediacy of an event following another.

in the instance that

Highlights a specific occurrence or situation.

the moment that

Highlights a specific instant in time.

in cases where

This alternative focuses on specific scenarios or situations where something happens.

under circumstances where

Focuses on the conditions or situation leading to a specific outcome.

while

Indicates that two actions or conditions occur simultaneously.

upon the occasion when

This more formal phrase refers to a specific event or instance.

FAQs

Is "in when" grammatically correct?

No, "in when" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "when" alone or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

When can I use "in" and "when" together correctly?

You can use "in" and "when" together correctly if "in" belongs to a prepositional phrase that precedes a "when" clause. For example, "I'll be back "in time when" you need me" is grammatically correct because "in time" is a prepositional phrase.

What are some alternatives to using "in when"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "when", "at the time when", or rephrase the sentence to avoid the construction altogether.

How does using "in when" affect the clarity of my writing?

Using "in when" can make your writing confusing and less precise. Replacing it with a more appropriate conjunction or rephrasing ensures that your intended meaning is clear to the reader.