a period when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a period when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a certain span of time that has a specific purpose or outcome. For example, "I remember a period when I had to take a break from work to recover from an injury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's a period when anything can happen".

The New York Times

"It was a period when people weren't making musicals".

The New York Times

It evokes a period when people were trying to escape".

The New York Times

They had a period when they couldn't win a lineout.

The Guardian - Sport

There was a period when everything contained cinnamon.

The New York Times - Travel

Then there was a period when "I was a scally.

The Guardian - Arts

However, this was a period when the fraud was quiescent.

The Economist

There was a period when I really missed work.

The New York Times

"We live in a period when technology looks very organised.

The Economist

Is it because baby boomers came of age during a period when being cool was everything?

The New York Times

But first there will be a period when the Bush administration will strongly stand by him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a period when" to clearly define a specific timeframe with notable characteristics or events, providing context and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "a period when" without providing specific details about the time frame. Ensure you offer sufficient information to contextualize the events or circumstances being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a period when" functions as a relative clause marker, introducing a clause that modifies a noun (usually "period", "time", etc.) and specifies a particular time frame or era. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in providing context and describing events that occurred during the specified time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a period when" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to introduce clauses that specify a particular time frame. According to Ludwig AI, it's generally correct and suitable for various writing contexts. It functions as a relative clause marker, providing temporal context to events or situations. The phrase sees frequent use in news, media and academic writing, and is characterized by a neutral register. When employing this phrase, it's important to provide sufficient details about the timeframe to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "a time during which" or "a phase in which", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a time during which

Emphasizes the duration and the events happening within that duration.

a phase in which

Highlights a stage or distinct part of a process or life.

an era where

Refers to a longer span of time, often associated with specific cultural or societal trends.

a stage at which

Similar to "a phase", but can imply a more structured or developmental progression.

a moment that

Refers to a specific point in time, often carrying significance.

a season where

Evokes a particular time of year or a figurative season of change.

an interval when

Suggests a pause or break between events, marked by specific conditions.

a juncture where

Implies a critical point or turning point in time.

a stretch in which

Highlights the continuous nature of the time span and the activities within.

a window where

Indicates a limited opportunity or timeframe with specific possibilities.

FAQs

How can I use "a period when" in a sentence?

"A period when" introduces a relative clause, specifying a time frame. For example, "There was "a period when" I lived in Paris" indicates a time in the past spent in Paris.

What are some alternatives to "a period when"?

Alternatives include "a time during which", "a phase in which", or "an era where", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "a period where" instead of "a period when"?

While "where" can refer to location, "when" is generally preferred for time. Using "a period where" might be grammatically incorrect in certain contexts, so it's better to stick with "a period when".

What's the difference between "a period when" and "during"?

"A period when" introduces a clause specifying a time frame, while "during" is a preposition indicating when something happens. For instance, ""a period when" real incomes were rising" describes the period, while "during the summer" indicates when something occurred.