When activated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "When activated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a condition or state that occurs upon the activation of a device, system, or process. Example: "The alarm will sound when activated, alerting everyone in the vicinity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When activated, they release a number of biologically active molecules.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

When activated, the GeneActiv continuously tracks and stores activity information whether or not it is worn.

BMJ Open

When activated with MAO, the catalysts give reasonably high activities (105 kg mol−1 h−1 bar−1) [79].

Applied Petrochemical Research

When activated, this link directs the screen reader's focus to the main content of the page.

The New York Times

When activated, the turret brings in a 15-degree slice of the outdoors.

The New York Times - Arts

When activated, it sends your location to a Google Map.

TechCrunch

When activated repeatedly, many neurons fatigue and their signals fade.

Science Magazine

When activated, the hydraulic press machine compacted the biomass producing cylindrical briquettes.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

When activated, the optional guard is visible through a blue border and shield around a user's profile pic.

TechCrunch

When activated, instead of a person they see a fuzzy silhouette and hear garbled noises rather than actual words.

TechCrunch

When activated, the shutter button stays depressed and you'll see a countdown in the icon around the button itself.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "When activated", ensure the sentence clearly specifies what is doing the activating and what the result of the activation is. This prevents ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid placing "When activated" too far from the subject it modifies. This can lead to confusion about which element is being activated. Keep it close to the noun or pronoun it describes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "When activated" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying the timing or condition under which the action in the main clause occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically sound and widely employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "When activated" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial clause of time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and it is frequently found in scientific and news contexts. It serves to describe the condition or event that follows the action of something being activated. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by keeping the phrase close to the element it modifies and clearly specifying the activator and the result. Alternatives like "upon activation" or "once activated" can offer more concise options depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Upon activation

Replaces the conjunction 'when' with the preposition 'upon', creating a more concise and formal tone.

Once activated

Substitutes 'when' with 'once', emphasizing the completion of the activation process.

After being activated

Adds the 'being' form to clarify the passive nature of the action and emphasize the process leading to activation.

Following activation

Uses a gerund phrase, making the sentence more concise while retaining the meaning.

On activation

Shortens the phrase to a prepositional phrase, suitable for technical or procedural contexts.

With activation

Highlights the state of being activated as a condition for something else to occur.

In an activated state

Emphasizes the condition or status of being activated rather than the action itself.

If triggered

Uses 'triggered' as a synonym for 'activated', suitable for contexts involving mechanisms or automatic responses.

Should it be activated

Introduces a conditional tone, implying a possibility rather than a certainty.

When in operation

Shifts the focus to the operational state resulting from activation, implying ongoing activity.

FAQs

How can I use "When activated" in a sentence?

Use "When activated" to describe the state or action that occurs once something is triggered or set in motion. For example, "When activated, the alarm will sound".

What are some alternatives to "When activated"?

You can use alternatives like "upon activation", "once activated", or "after being activated" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "When activated" and "If activated"?

"When activated" implies a more deterministic outcome once the activation occurs. "If activated" suggests a conditional possibility that may or may not happen after the activation process is initiated.

How can I make my writing more concise when using "When activated"?

Consider restructuring the sentence to use a participial phrase like "Activated, the system..." or a prepositional phrase such as "Upon activation, the system...". This can often reduce wordiness.