god knows when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "god knows when" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express uncertainty about a specific time or date, often implying that the speaker has no idea when something will happen. Example: "I haven't seen her in ages; god knows when the last time was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

God knows when we will be rid of this".

The New York Times

God knows when this circle of violence will end".

The New York Times

Only God knows when it will come; I don't.

The New York Times - Sports

God knows when the next recession is coming".

The Guardian

God knows when we shall meet again".... Said Shakespeare.

The New York Times

Or when he screamed "Not great, Bob!"? Or, god knows, when Megan sang "Zou Bisou Bisou"?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

They paid little attention to Tom Ackler when he slid in on his lathered horse calling that Rose McLaverty was raped and murdered and mutilated by Utes, sometime in the winter, God knew when.

The New Yorker

I had taken my computer and enough reading matter for a month, but the first morning, while Michael rigorously kept to his academic schedule — no class before noon, sleep till 11 30, sprint for the bus, eat and shower God knew when — I couldn't concentrate.

The New York Times - Magazine

A God outside of time might know that at midnight on 1 July 2010 certain things occur, but could God know when it is now that time?

SEP

This must be what God knew when teaching us to write our own Torah, our own song.

Huffington Post

God alone knows when he will come.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "god knows when" to express genuine uncertainty, especially when you want to convey a sense of mystery or a lack of control over the timing of an event. For instance, "The project is delayed, and god knows when it will be completed."

Common error

While "god knows when" is acceptable in many situations, it might be too informal for highly professional or academic writing. In such cases, opt for alternatives like "it is uncertain when" or "the timing remains unknown."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "god knows when" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate uncertainty about a future time or event. Ludwig AI shows this in various contexts, highlighting its role in expressing a lack of specific knowledge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "god knows when" is a common idiomatic expression used to convey uncertainty about the timing of a future event. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media, although it can also appear in scientific and formal business contexts. While generally acceptable, it might be too informal for highly professional or academic writing, where alternatives such as "it is uncertain when" may be more appropriate. Ludwig's analysis shows that the phrase’s core function is to express a lack of knowledge regarding when something will occur, adding a layer of mystery or lack of control to the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heaven only knows when

Replaces "god" with "heaven", maintaining a similar level of uncertainty and religious connotation. This changes the phrase from a possible statement to a religious one.

the lord only knows when

Substitutes "god" with "the lord", offering another religiously inclined variant with equivalent implications regarding divine knowledge of the unknown timing. This changes the phrase from a possible statement to a religious one.

who knows when

Omits the religious element, focusing solely on the uncertainty of the timing. This alternative is less emphatic than the original.

nobody knows when

Directly states that the timing is unknown to everyone, rather than implying it through divine knowledge.

it's anyone's guess when

Shifts the expression to suggest that the timing is purely speculative and unpredictable. It's a little bit more informal than the original.

there's no telling when

Emphasizes the impossibility of predicting the timing, focusing on the lack of any reliable indication. It's more colloquial than the original.

it remains to be seen when

Focuses on the future revelation of the timing, implying a passive waiting for the information to become available. The tone is more formal.

the future alone knows when

Personifies the future as the sole possessor of the knowledge regarding the timing. It is more figurative and less direct.

when that will be is anybody's guess

Reformulates the idea as a question of timing, underlining the speculative nature of any potential answer. It's more verbose than the original.

time will only tell when

Indicates that only the passage of time will reveal the answer, underlining the present lack of knowledge.

FAQs

What does "god knows when" mean?

The phrase "god knows when" is an idiom used to express that the speaker does not know when something will happen and perhaps implies that it is unlikely to happen soon.

How can I use "god knows when" in a sentence?

You can use "god knows when" when you want to express uncertainty about a future event's timing. For example, "God knows when we will be able to travel again."

What can I say instead of "god knows when"?

You can use alternatives like "who knows when", "heaven only knows when", or "nobody knows when" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "god knows when" in formal writing?

While "god knows when" is widely understood, it might be considered too informal for some formal writing. In such cases, consider using phrases like "it is uncertain when" or "the timing remains unknown".