exclusively when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exclusively when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify that something occurs only under certain conditions or circumstances. Example: "The event will be held exclusively when the weather permits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Hearn said she used Amtrak.com exclusively when booking tickets.

The New York Times - Travel

But nowadays, almost exclusively, when people work in conservation they focus on saving habitats.

The Guardian

Instead, the Greeks used mathematics and reason almost exclusively when they wrote about physics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Check-cashing stores that had belonged to his first wife's father but became his exclusively when his first wife died.

The New York Times - Magazine

Other cells fire exclusively when a horizontal line falls on them and yet others fire in response to lines slanted at various angles.

The New York Times - Science

The only compromise "allowed but not recommended" is to have a hinged device so the gondolier, "exclusively" when rowing beneath a particularly low bridge in particularly high water, can flip it down.

The Guardian

According to campus lore, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were regulars when they attended Yale, and the actor Henry Winkler ate there almost exclusively when he studied at the Yale School of Drama.

The New York Times

As he changed the culture within the orchestra, Mr. Gillison struck up relationships with foreign conductors and musicians, who eventually came to play with the London Symphony almost exclusively when they visited London.

The New York Times - Arts

The company still produced such notable efforts as Der blaue Engel (1930; The Blue Angel) and Der Kongress tanzt (1931; Congress Dances) but was coerced to make National Socialist films almost exclusively when the Nazis came to power in 1933.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unfortunately, as was noted at a recent March of Dimes presentation to the news media, many working women find it impossible to breast-feed exclusively when their paid maternity leave (if indeed they have a paid maternity leave) is only weeks long and they cannot afford, monetarily or professionally, to take unpaid leave.

The New York Times - Health

This hesitance occurred almost exclusively when debating ethnic or cultural diversity.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exclusively when" to clearly define the specific conditions under which an action or event occurs. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures your message is precise. For example: "This offer is valid exclusively when you use the code 'SUMMER2025' at checkout."

Common error

Avoid using "exclusively when" in sentences where simpler alternatives like "only when" or "if" suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted. For example, instead of saying "The door opens exclusively when the correct key is used", consider "The door opens only when the correct key is used".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exclusively when" functions as an adverbial conjunction, linking a main clause with a subordinate clause that specifies the sole condition under which the action in the main clause occurs. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exclusively when" is a versatile phrase that serves to link a main clause with a subordinate clause that specifies the sole condition under which something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and has ample usage in various writing contexts. As the usage analysis shows, it's frequently used in "Science", "News & Media", and "Formal & Business" writing. When using "exclusively when", aim for clarity and avoid overusing it in simple scenarios where alternatives like "only when" or "if" would suffice. By following these recommendations, you will improve your writing's accuracy while maintaining a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only if

Highlights the necessary condition, similar to "exclusively when", but is more concise.

solely when

Synonymous with "exclusively when", emphasizing that the action happens only under the stated condition.

purely when

Focuses on the purity of the condition, suggesting no other factors are involved.

strictly when

Implies a rigid adherence to the specified condition.

just when

Emphasizes the exact timing or circumstances under which something happens.

precisely when

Highlights the accuracy and specificity of the timing or condition.

specifically when

Indicates that the condition is named and nothing else works

in the event that

Presents a more formal and conditional alternative.

on the condition that

Emphasizes the conditional nature of the occurrence.

and only then

Stresses the sequence where something happens only after a condition is met.

FAQs

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

Use "exclusively when" to specify the only condition under which something occurs. For example, "Access to the VIP lounge is granted "exclusively when" you have a first-class ticket".

What are some alternatives to "exclusively when"?

Some alternatives to "exclusively when" include "only if", "solely when", or "just when", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "exclusively when" rather than "only when"?

Yes, "exclusively when" generally sounds more formal than "only when". "Exclusively when" emphasizes the uniqueness and specificity of the condition.

Can "exclusively when" be used interchangeably with "if and only if"?

While similar, "exclusively when" doesn't always fully capture the bidirectional implication of "if and only if". "If and only if" implies both a condition and its necessity, whereas "exclusively when" primarily focuses on the condition being the only one under which something occurs.