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When

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "When" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a question or a clause that refers to a specific time or condition. Example: "When will the meeting start?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But two-plus years after the financial crisis, that's not the right question anymore.

News & Media

The New York Times

Where isn't Netflix anymore?

News & Media

TechCrunch

Schmidt laid into the network in an interview on NPR, when he said: "The facts of climate change are not in question anymore.

News & Media

The Guardian

"The facts of climate change are not in question anymore.

News & Media

The Guardian

Bruyneel said that Armstrong was at an age where victories are "not as programmable anymore".

When it's not grainy anymore, it's ready.

Now he has turned to a new question: should we fear a world where we are not challenged anymore?

News & Media

BBC

That's when surprises are not fun anymore.

Do they disappear, when they are not beneficial anymore?

Science

Plosone

It's not a question anymore.

News & Media

TechCrunch

"The question of whether there should be a woman [in a particular role] is not a question anymore".

News & Media

BBC
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "When" to clearly establish temporal relationships between events or conditions within your sentences. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "When" to introduce clauses that don't involve time. Use "If" or "Whether" for conditional or alternative scenarios, respectively.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The word "When" functions primarily as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies the time or circumstance in which an action or event occurs. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct to use "When" to introduce a question or a clause that refers to a specific time or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "When" serves as a versatile conjunction, primarily establishing temporal relationships and conditions within sentences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequent appearance across diverse sources, from news to scientific publications, highlights its adaptability. When writing, using "When" precisely will enhance clarity and coherence.

FAQs

How to use "When" in a sentence?

"When" is used to indicate a time or circumstance. For example, "I will call you when I arrive."

What can I say instead of "When" to indicate time?

You can use alternatives like "Whenever", "As soon as", or "During the time that" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "When I will arrive" or "When I arrive"?

"When I arrive" is correct. The future tense is not typically used in the clause introduced by "When".

What's the difference between "When" and "if"?

"When" refers to a specific time or circumstance, while "if" introduces a general condition or possibility.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: