it comes about when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it comes about when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the circumstances or conditions under which something occurs or happens. Example: "The phenomenon of rainbows comes about when sunlight refracts through water droplets in the atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 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

It came about when Klasey was looking for ideas and his wife remembered a presentation that had stuck with her since she'd seen it at a conference, eight years previously.

The Guardian

"It came about when Rich and I would talk on the phone, because I'd be working and he was far away, we would tell each other sexy stories, make them up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

2) The Republicans' biggest political victory in the Obama era, the 2010 midterm sweep (and the Scott Brown special election that preceded it), came about when the health care bill was front and center in the public conversation, and G.O.P. opposition to the bill was the party's defining issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it comes about when" to clearly indicate the conditions or circumstances that lead to a specific outcome or event. This helps to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it comes about when" excessively in overly complex sentences. Break down lengthy sentences to ensure clarity and readability, as overuse can make your writing convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it comes about when" functions as a connector, specifically indicating a causal or conditional relationship between two events or situations. Ludwig confirms this usage by providing examples where the phrase links an outcome to its originating circumstances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it comes about when" serves as a connector that establishes a causal or conditional relationship, typically employed to explain how or why an event occurs. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and versatile, fitting within a neutral to formal register. While frequently found in News & Media, it is also present in Wiki and Academic sources. To enhance clarity in writing, it's recommended to avoid overuse in overly complex sentences. Consider alternatives such as "it arises when" or "it happens because of" to add variety to your expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it arises when

Focuses on the emergence or start of something under specific conditions.

it originates when

Highlights the point of origin or creation contingent on certain factors.

it happens as a result of

Emphasizes the consequential nature of the event following specific conditions.

it is caused by

Directly points to the cause of an event or situation.

it is a consequence of

Similar to 'caused by', but places more emphasis on the event being an effect.

it stems from

Implies a gradual development from a particular source or condition.

it is triggered by

Suggests a specific event or condition that initiates something.

it emerges from

Indicates the process of something becoming visible or known from a certain condition.

it is produced when

Highlights the creation or generation of something through a specific process or condition.

it materializes when

Focuses on the actual realization or appearance of something based on specific circumstances.

FAQs

What does "it comes about when" mean?

The phrase "it comes about when" means something happens or occurs as a result of specific circumstances or conditions. It indicates a cause-and-effect relationship.

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

You can use "it comes about when" to connect an event with its cause. For example, "The breakthrough in the research "it comes about when" the team altered their approach".

What can I say instead of "it comes about when"?

Alternatives to "it comes about when" include "it arises when", "it happens because of", or "it is caused by" depending on the specific context.

Is there a more formal way to express the idea of "it comes about when"?

Yes, in more formal writing, you could use phrases like "it originates when" or "it is a consequence of" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.