it came about when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it came about when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the circumstances or events that led to a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The project was successful, and it came about when the team collaborated effectively and shared their ideas openly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He thought that it came about when expectations were violated.

The Guardian - Opinion

It came about when I was at drama school.

The Guardian - Film

It came about when the white warden ordered the men to "dance for the photographer".

The New York Times

It came about when he was in Cornwall with a friend, feeling bored.

The Guardian - Travel

It came about when he ran into Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty two years ago when Palace was giving baseball lessons to teenagers.

The Washington Post

It came about when the team from the Foundling Museum saw books that hospital play specialist Lynsey Steele had created with kidney transplant patients to help them understand their treatments.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Every freediver tell you that the perfect dive is all about emotions, not the depth achieved; it comes about when we are able to let go completely and surrender to the moment.

The Guardian - Opinion

It comes about when your inner beliefs clash, such as, "These people are so warm and friendly," clashing with "Why are they telling me I need to give them money to have them pray for me?".

WikiHow

The idea for Post-it Notes came about when Arthur Fry, an engineer at 3M, was daydreaming in church, thinking how annoying it was that the bookmarks he'd placed in his hymnal so frequently fell out.

The New York Times - Books

It all came about when Vilhjalmur Stefansson, the Arctic explorer — who does know Eskimo — visited the Post Office building to look over the Rockwell Kent murals on the walls of the interior.

The New York Times

And it only came about when all parties acknowledged that for progress to be made, supposedly principled stands on who spoke to whom needed to be ditched in favour of pragmatism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it came about when" to clearly indicate the circumstances or initial conditions that led to a specific event or situation. This phrasing adds clarity and provides context.

Common error

Avoid using "it came about when" without providing sufficient context. Ensure that the sentence clearly explains what 'it' refers to and that the 'when' clause offers specific details about the circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it came about when" functions as a causal connector, linking an event or situation to the circumstances or conditions that led to its occurrence. It introduces a clause explaining the origin or development of something, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it came about when" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to connect an event with its originating circumstances. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across various contexts, from news articles to general explanations. It serves to provide context and clarify the reasons behind a particular outcome. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, with neutral register, and Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it originated when

Focuses on the point of origin or inception.

it started when

Emphasizes the commencement or beginning of an event.

it began when

Highlights the initial phase or start.

it arose when

Suggests the emergence or rise of something.

it emerged when

Indicates a gradual appearance or development.

it developed when

Implies a process of growth or evolution.

it resulted from

Shows a cause-and-effect relationship.

it was initiated when

Highlights the act of starting or setting something in motion.

it was triggered by

Suggests a specific event that caused something to happen.

it was prompted by

Indicates a motivating factor or reason.

FAQs

How can I use "it came about when" in a sentence?

Use "it came about when" to describe the origin or circumstances that led to a particular event or situation. For instance, "The project's success "it came about when" the team collaborated effectively."

What are some alternatives to "it came about when"?

Alternatives include "it originated when", "it started when", or "it began when", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it came about when" formal or informal?

"It came about when" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing.

How does "it came about when" differ from "it happened when"?

"It happened when" is a more general way of stating when something occurred. "It came about when" implies a more causal or circumstantial connection, suggesting that the 'when' clause influenced the event.