around when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around when" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English.
When used, it generally conveys a sense of approximate time. For example: "Can you tell me around when you will have the report finished?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Do they slide around when the wearer pulls them up?

WikiHow

Shop around when buying currency.

The Guardian

Things turned around when Skream met Benga.

The Guardian - Music

"Just ask around when you get here".

The Guardian - Travel

I wasn't around when they were around.

The Guardian - Music

"Turn around when possible," she repeated over and over.

The New York Times

"Security guards are moving around when you're serving.

The New York Times - Sports

I needed them around when Kate got older.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He piddled around when he had 60 votes.

The New York Times

Sir Raymond D. Lygo was around when I was there.

The New York Times

"I like to walk around when I speak," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "around when" to indicate an approximate time or period, making it clear that the timing is not exact. It is appropriate in both spoken and written English, but avoid overuse in formal academic writing where more precise language may be required.

Common error

Avoid using "around when" when precise timing is crucial or known. Instead of saying "The meeting starts around when the clock strikes ten", state "The meeting starts at 10:00 AM" when the time is definite.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around when" functions as an approximator of time, indicating an estimated or non-exact point in time. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. It serves to soften a question about timing, suggesting that precision is not critical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Reference

12%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around when" is a grammatically sound phrase used to inquire about an approximate time, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is versatile across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, although it leans towards a neutral to informal register. When precision is needed, consider more formal alternatives like "approximately when". Remembering its role as an approximator will help you to employ it effectively in both writing and conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about when

A more concise way of asking for an approximate time.

approximately when

Specifies a less casual and more precise sense of approximation.

roughly when

Suggests a similar level of approximation but with a slightly different tone.

give or take when

Suggests an estimate with a margin of error.

close to when

Emphasizes that the time is near a specific point.

in the area of when

Another way to express a general time frame.

something like when

Indicates a vague or uncertain estimate of time.

in the neighborhood of when

Similar to "in the vicinity of when" but slightly less formal.

in the vicinity of when

A more formal and less common way to express approximation of time.

thereabouts when

A less common but acceptable way to indicate an approximate time.

FAQs

How do I use "around when" in a sentence?

"Around when" is used to indicate an approximate time or period. For example, you could say, "I expect the package to arrive around when the sun sets".

What can I say instead of "around when"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately when", "roughly when", or "about when" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "around when" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "around when" is more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise language, such as "at approximately [time]" or "in the vicinity of [time]".

What's the difference between "around when" and "at what time"?

"Around when" implies an approximation, whereas "at what time" seeks a specific time. For instance, "Around when do you plan to arrive?" suggests flexibility, while "At what time do you plan to arrive?" asks for a precise arrival time.