cases when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cases when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific situations or instances in which something occurs or is applicable. Example: "There are several cases when this rule does not apply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Excluding trivial cases when k = 1).

The Guardian

There are cases when you don't have that sign.

The New York Times - Sports

He played the tapes between cases when he was bored.

The New York Times

Admittedly, there are some cases when brackets are acceptable.

The Guardian - Music

There are cases when you need a movie star.

The New York Times

In some cases when costs are hidden such inefficiencies occur.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are, of course, cases when this is not recommended.

The New York Times

And in many cases, when they are strong enough, they have their own candidates for office.

The New York Times

"So maybe this is one of the rare cases when a hunger strike may actually work".

The Guardian

Then there are cases when the mayor will do the trick".

The New York Times

In most cases when directors find fault with management, they don't replace the management company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider if a more specific term than "cases" might be more appropriate, depending on the context (e.g., "situations", "instances", "times").

Common error

While "cases when" is grammatically sound, avoid overuse in highly formal contexts where more sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Consider rephrasing to enhance the writing's elegance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cases when" functions as a relative clause, introducing specific situations or instances in which a particular condition or event occurs. It is used to provide context and qualify a statement, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cases when" is a grammatically correct and very common way to introduce specific instances or situations. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its widespread use across different contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific sources. While versatile, consider alternative phrasing like "situations where" or "instances where" for greater precision in formal writing. Use "cases when" to clearly delineate conditions under which something occurs, remembering it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

situations where

Replaces "cases" with "situations", providing a more general term for circumstances.

instances where

Substitutes "cases" with "instances", emphasizing specific occurrences.

times when

Uses "times" instead of "cases", focusing on temporal occurrences.

situations in which

Rephrases using "in which" for a slightly more formal tone.

circumstances where

Replaces "cases" with "circumstances", highlighting specific conditions.

occasions when

Uses "occasions" instead of "cases", focusing on specific events or instances.

instances in which

Combines "instances" with "in which" for a more formal tone.

scenarios where

Substitutes "cases" with "scenarios", suggesting hypothetical situations.

under circumstances where

Adds "under circumstances" for emphasis on the conditions.

in situations where

Adds "in situations" to emphasize the context.

FAQs

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

You can use "cases when" to describe specific instances or situations where something occurs or is applicable. For example, "There are several cases when this rule does not apply".

What are some alternatives to "cases when"?

Alternatives include "situations where", "instances where", or "times when", depending on the context.

Is "cases when" formal or informal?

"Cases when" is generally considered neutral and acceptable in both formal and informal writing, though more precise language might be preferable in highly formal contexts.

What is the difference between "cases when" and "situations when"?

While similar, "situations when" might be preferred when referring to broader or more general sets of circumstances, whereas "cases when" implies more specific instances.