about when

USAGE SUMMARY

"about when" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to introduce a question. For example: "I was wondering about when we can start the project?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What about when someone's died?

The New York Times

But he disagreed about when.

The New Yorker

What about when it rains?

Independent

But what about when they have children?

The New York Times

What about when that goes wrong?

The New Yorker

What about when it goes wrong?

The New Yorker

What about when you were younger?

The New York Times

"Think about when you cough.

The Guardian

What about when it rained?

The New Yorker

What about when he doesn't?

The Guardian - Opinion

What about when the football's all over?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about when" to introduce questions or statements related to timing, ensuring clarity and natural flow in your writing. For example, "The article discusses "about when" the policy changes will take effect."

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear what event or action the timing refers to. Avoid vague references that could confuse the reader. Instead of saying "There is some fuzziness "about when", be more specific: "There is some fuzziness "about when" the project should be completed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about when" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase followed by a relative adverb, introducing clauses that relate to the timing of an event or action. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about when" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for discussing or inquiring about the timing of events. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While it is most commonly found in News & Media and Science, considering slightly more formal alternatives like "regarding the timing of" may be appropriate for academic or professional writing. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by explicitly stating the event or action to which the timing refers. "About when" helps to introduce clauses and statements effectively, enhancing the temporal context of your sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the timing of

Replaces "about when" with a more formal and precise expression, focusing on the 'timing' aspect.

concerning the date of

Specifies the 'date' instead of a general time, offering a more concrete alternative.

in relation to the time of

A more verbose alternative emphasizing the temporal relationship.

as to the moment of

Highlights a specific 'moment' rather than a broader period.

pertaining to the period of

Focuses on a 'period' of time, implying duration.

with respect to the hour of

Emphasizes a specific 'hour', providing a more granular focus on time.

in connection with the schedule of

Relates to a 'schedule', implying a planned event.

relative to the timeframe of

Highlights a specific 'timeframe', implying a defined time boundary.

in terms of the duration of

Emphasizes the 'duration', related to the length of time something lasts.

on the subject of the occasion of

Highlights the 'occasion' itself, rather than the time.

FAQs

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

Use "about when" to inquire or state something related to the timing of an event. For example: "The committee will decide "about when" to implement the new regulations." or "The article provides details "about when" the new product will be launched."

What are some alternatives to using "about when"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "regarding the timing of", "concerning the date of", or "in relation to the time of".

Is it always appropriate to use "about when" in formal writing?

While "about when" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "regarding the timing of" might be preferred in highly formal contexts such as academic papers or legal documents.

Which is correct, "about when" or "regarding when"?

"About when" and "regarding when" are both grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many situations. However, "regarding when" may sound slightly more formal.