immediately when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immediately when" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to indicate that something happened immediately after another event. For example: "He started to cry immediately when he saw the puppy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They usually disengage immediately when we attack.

The New York Times

"Immediately when they left, the policemen started coming.

The New York Times

Wash your hands immediately when you enter the house.

The New York Times

But he saw it immediately when he returned.

The New York Times

Encke quickened immediately when Barzalona asked him to go.

The Guardian - Sport

'I recognised her style immediately when I saw the manuscript.

The Guardian - Books

And they understand immediately when walking through a slightly darkened lobby, he said.

The New York Times

She got what she wanted and knew immediately when she had the picture she needed.

The Guardian - Arts

"I feel differently immediately when I start to put weight on," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Weighed immediately when unloaded, taken down on a non-stop elevator, etc.

The New Yorker

You notice the nice atmosphere immediately when you enter".

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immediately when" to clearly indicate that one event directly follows another, emphasizing the temporal relationship. For example: "Clean footwear "immediately when" it gets dirty."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "immediately when" can sound somewhat informal in academic or professional contexts. Consider using synonyms like "as soon as" or "upon" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediately when" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when an action or event occurs. It introduces a dependent clause that provides a temporal context for the action described in the independent clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct and indicates immediacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immediately when" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves as an adverbial clause of time. It is used to connect two events in a sentence, indicating that one happens directly after the other. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives like "as soon as" or "upon" in academic or professional contexts. It is mostly found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki" sources. By understanding its function and purpose, you can use "immediately when" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as soon as

This is a common synonym that emphasizes the temporal proximity of the two events.

right after

This phrase maintains the immediacy but uses a simpler prepositional structure.

the instant that

This alternative emphasizes the speed and lack of delay between events.

the moment that

Similar to 'the instant that', but slightly less emphatic.

upon

A more formal and concise way to express the same idea.

directly following

This phrase offers a more formal and descriptive alternative.

on the heels of

This idiomatic expression suggests that the second event closely follows the first.

without delay after

This phrase highlights the lack of any pause between the two events.

in short order when

This less common phrase suggests that the second event happened very quickly after the first.

in a timely manner when

Focuses on the promptness of the response to an action or situation, highlighting efficiency and quick action.

FAQs

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

Use "immediately when" to connect two events, indicating that the second event happens right after the first. For instance, "Elephants run a mile "immediately when" a drone comes near."

What's a synonym for "immediately when"?

You can use phrases like "as soon as", "right after", or "upon" as alternatives to "immediately when", depending on the context and desired formality.

Is it always necessary to use "immediately when", or are there times it's better to rephrase?

While grammatically sound, "immediately when" can sometimes sound redundant. If the immediacy is already clear, consider simplifying the sentence. For example, instead of "They refuse to fight "immediately when" we attack", you could say "They refuse to fight during our attacks".

How does the tone of "immediately when" differ from other similar phrases?

"Immediately when" is generally neutral in tone. Phrases like "the instant that" are more emphatic, while "upon" is more formal. Choose the phrase that best suits the overall tone of your writing.