for months when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for months when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific months in which certain events or conditions occur. Example: "We will review the budget for months when expenses typically increase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

For months, when he was home, Agatha tried to persuade him to change his mind.

The New Yorker

She'd been trying to get into Home Depot for months when he walked by her booth.

The New York Times

Price of devotion is to watch demolitions scheduled for months when people away.

The New Yorker

He had been sickly for months when in the winter of 1820 he coughed up blood.

The New York Times - Books

The effect lasts for months; when it wears off, the toxin can be reinjected.

The New York Times

It needs to be huge so there is enough for months when there is no rain.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Which is a good thing; on Wednesday he will leave her behind again for four months, when he reports for additional officer training at Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Ala.

The New York Times

Volkman had been going out with Griscom for six months when she first did some consulting for Nerve.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mormon men serve as missionaries for two years when they turn 19; women for 18 months when they turn 21.

The Economist

Compared to a previous baseline (1989 1990), effort had doubled to tripled for comparative months, when sampling recommenced during the consultation period for zoning the park.

Fisheries Research

These studies showed that gentamicin, norfloxacin, and ampicillin stock solutions were stable for 6 months when stored at −80°C, whereas polymyxin B was stable for 3 months.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for months when" to clearly indicate that an event or condition persisted over a period of several months, leading to a specific outcome or event. This helps establish a temporal context, making your writing more precise and informative.

Common error

Avoid using "for months when" if you intend to describe a condition that is true every month. Instead, consider using "during the months of" or similar constructs to emphasize continuous or regularly occurring events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for months when" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a dependent clause, specifying a period of time that leads to a particular event or condition. Ludwig indicates that this is a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for months when" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to establish a temporal context by specifying a period of months leading up to a certain event. According to Ludwig, it is often employed in news media and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a duration leading to a specific occurrence. Avoid using it to describe regularly occurring events each month, opting instead for alternatives like "during the months of". Ludwig's analysis supports the versatile yet precise application of this phrase in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the months when

This alternative emphasizes the duration and the specific timing of the event.

in the months that

This rephrasing focuses on a descriptive period, specifying particular months.

for a period of months, as

This option highlights the length of time while introducing a condition or circumstance.

over several months, when

This alternative focuses on the extended duration and introduces a specific moment or event.

throughout the months that

This variant emphasizes continuous action spanning multiple months.

in the months leading up to

This option points to a specific timeframe before a known event or date.

during those months when

This alternative adds a sense of specificity or reference to previously mentioned months.

for a few months as

This reduces the timeframe, indicating a shorter duration and linking it to a subsequent event.

in certain months, if

This option is more conditional, implying an occurrence only under certain monthly conditions.

spanning several months, as

This stresses the range of months and links it to a condition or result.

FAQs

How can I use "for months when" in a sentence?

You can use "for months when" to describe a situation that lasted several months and led to a particular event or condition. For example, "He had been practicing "for months when" the competition finally arrived".

What are some alternatives to "for months when"?

Alternatives include phrases like "during the months that", "in the months that", or "over several months, when", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "during months when" instead of "for months when"?

Both "for months when" and "during months when" can be grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "For months when" emphasizes the duration, while "during months when" focuses on the timing. Consider your intended emphasis when choosing which to use.

What's the difference between "for months when" and "in months when"?

"For months when" indicates a span of time leading up to an event, while "in months when" typically refers to specific months within a larger timeframe. For example, "We saw increased sales "for months when" the marketing campaign ran" versus "We typically see increased sales in December and January".