but surely when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but surely when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that expresses a strong belief or assumption about a situation that is expected to occur at a certain time. Example: "I understand your concerns, but surely when the time comes, we will find a solution that works for everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But surely, when it comes to combating teen pregnancy, the Palin family has done enough damage already.

The New York Times

Pumpkins are in season and people are arguing over when it's OK to start wearing tights (call us crazy, but surely when your legs are cold?).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There exist such persons, I admit, but surely, when the supreme court declared that corporations were persons, it did not mean to say "persons with advanced neuromuscular degenerative diseases".

The Guardian - Opinion

But surely, when the Court renders its verdict this summer, there will be fierce disagreement over whether the majority has, in fact, faithfully applied Constitutional doctrine — and surely this debate will look, and sound, a lot like the debate we're having now, and the one we had two years ago.

The New Yorker

But surely, when applying for a fellowship or a lectureship, a strong research publishing record is the key?

Science Magazine

But surely, when you hire a real management consultancy you get everything that comes with it: experience, specialized knowledge, million-dollar resources and accountability.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But surely, surely, when it comes to one of the ethical rockbottoms of the faith, looking out for the least privileged among us, it's not too much to expect them to stand firm.

Huffington Post

(I won't comment on whether Christians should think twice before entering the political arena). But surely, surely, when it comes to one of the ethical rockbottoms of the faith, looking out for the least privileged among us, it's not too much to expect them to stand firm.

HuffPost

But this is surely when international law should most stringently be applied.

The Guardian - Opinion

The drama builds slowly, in part because the allegorical prologue is rightly included, but it takes hold surely when Tésée discovers Hippolyte and Phèdra in an apparently compromising position.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Clinton was laughing but surely agreeing when Ms. Branson added, "The presidency causes a lot of wear and tear".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but surely when" to introduce a statement that expresses a strong belief or assumption about something at a particular time. It is effective for setting up expectations or contrasting ideas.

Common error

While "but surely when" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in highly formal writing. Overuse can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Opt for alternatives like "however certainly when" for professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but surely when" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing a clause that expresses a strong expectation or assumption about a future event. It typically follows a statement of concern or doubt, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but surely when" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunction phrase that introduces a statement expressing a strong expectation about something happening at a certain time. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media, science, and academic contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in very formal writing, where alternatives like "however certainly when" may be more appropriate. The phrase's function is to provide a contrasting expectation, often to reassure or alleviate concerns. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet surely when

Replaces "but" with "yet", implying a contrast or concession before introducing the expectation.

however surely when

Substitutes "but" with "however", indicating a stronger contrast.

indeed surely when

Emphasizes agreement or confirmation before presenting the temporal condition.

though certainly when

Replaces "surely" with "certainly", suggesting a higher degree of confidence.

undoubtedly then when

Uses "undoubtedly then" to add emphasis and a sense of inevitability.

assuredly at the point when

More formal alternative using "assuredly" and "at the point when" for a refined tone.

without a doubt when

Replaces "surely" with "without a doubt", conveying strong conviction.

in all likelihood when

Expresses probability rather than certainty, softening the tone.

it stands to reason that when

Introduces a logical deduction related to the expected time.

as a matter of course when

Implies that something will naturally occur at a specific time.

FAQs

How can I use "but surely when" in a sentence?

You can use "but surely when" to express a strong expectation about something happening at a certain time. For instance, "I understand your concerns, but surely when the results are in, we'll have a clearer picture".

What are some alternatives to "but surely when"?

Consider using alternatives like "yet surely when", "however surely when", or "indeed surely when" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "but surely when" grammatically correct?

Yes, "but surely when" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to introduce a statement that expresses a strong belief or assumption about a situation at a specific time.

Which is more formal, "but surely when" or "however certainly when"?

"However certainly when" tends to be more formal than "but surely when", making it suitable for professional or academic writing.