at any time when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at any time when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific condition or situation that can occur at any moment. Example: "You are allowed to ask questions at any time when you feel confused about the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"Window guards can be removed from a window at any time when the window-guard law does not apply".

The New York Times

This means the freedom to walk away at any time when customers don't get the service that they expect.

The Guardian

Zanetti has put in the hard miles in training to make himself available at any time when the coach calls on his experience.

The New York Times - Sports

Although serious falls are less common in the competitive dressage arena, accidents can occur at any time, when horses slip or misbehave or when they are startled.

The New York Times - Sports

An official of the fund said on Thursday that it was ready to go back at any time when the main political players reached a consensus.

The New York Times

This system does not lend itself to all applications, since the virtual machines may be shut down at any time, when the spot price rises above the user's bid, says Peter De Santis of Amazon Web Services.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

We therefore coded the chimpanzee as looking at the stimulus any time when its head direction was such that it could have been looking at the stimulus.

Animal Behaviour

In PMTCT clinics, HIV-exposed infants <12 months of age were tested at 6 weeks of age and at any other time when they presented to the clinic after 6 weeks.

BMC Pediatrics

He seemed to know where anyone was on the pitch at any given time when he had the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

"At any given time, when someone gets it going, they can go low, I don't care how difficult the golf course is.

The New York Times - Sports

By doing so, it can reduce the amount they are about to spend at any given time when preparing to make a purchase.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at any time when" to introduce a clause that specifies a condition or circumstance that can happen without a fixed schedule. For instance, "You can submit your application at any time when the system is online."

Common error

Avoid using "at any time when" to create overly passive sentences. Instead of "Assistance will be provided at any time when it is requested", try the more direct: "We provide assistance whenever you request it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at any time when" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies a condition or circumstance. It provides temporal context, indicating that the action in the main clause can occur whenever the condition in the dependent clause is met. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at any time when" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a condition that may arise without a fixed schedule. Grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a subordinating conjunction to establish a relationship between two events. While alternatives like "whenever" exist, "at any time when" provides a neutral level of formality suitable for a range of contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business communications. Remember to use it to clarify contingent actions and avoid passive constructions for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whenever

This is a shorter, more concise alternative that directly indicates 'every time that' or 'at whatever time'.

at any moment that

This alternative emphasizes a specific point in time rather than a duration or period.

each time that

This phrase focuses on the repeated occurrence of a condition.

every time that

Similar to 'each time that', this emphasizes repetition but with a sense of universality.

anytime that

This is a slightly more informal, single-word alternative to "at any time when".

whensoever

This is an archaic and formal alternative that means 'at whatever time'.

at whatever point

This phrase emphasizes a specific point in time, regardless of when it occurs.

in any instance that

This alternative highlights a specific occurrence or situation.

should the occasion arise

This is a more conditional and formal way of expressing a possible situation.

during any period when

This alternative emphasizes a duration or segment of time.

FAQs

How can I use "at any time when" in a sentence?

Use "at any time when" to introduce a condition that may occur without a predetermined schedule. For example, "You can ask questions "at any time when" you need clarification."

What are some alternatives to "at any time when"?

Alternatives include "whenever", "anytime that", or "each time that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "at any time when" and "at any point when"?

"At any time when" implies a duration, while "at any point when" suggests a specific moment. The best choice depends on whether you're referring to a period or a precise instant.

Can "at any time when" be replaced with "if"?

While sometimes interchangeable, "if" presents a hypothetical. "At any time when" suggests a higher likelihood or expectation of the condition occurring. For instance, "You may leave if you wish" is different from "You may leave "at any time when" you feel unwell".