it existed when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it existed when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific time or condition in which something was present or occurred. Example: "The ancient civilization thrived in the valley, and it existed when the rivers were full and the climate was favorable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The country can only become more unstable as it becomes sicker, but its leaders cling to their view of Russia as it existed when there was a Soviet Union.

The New Yorker

Nothing like it existed when the ominously named Sexually Violent Predator Act was passed in 1998.

The New York Times

It is a smudge of light only a tiny fraction of the size of our own Milky Way galaxy, and it existed when the universe was only 480 million years old.

The New York Times - Science

But the climate minister honed in on the way the publicly funded BBC still focused on the "sterile" debate over whether it existed when most scientists are firmly in one camp.

The Guardian

The private gated community, which begins where the streets and Boardwalk of Coney Island end, is so far west in the borough and so secluded that Drs. Reinisch and Rosenblum, both psychologists, did not realize it existed when they went to Steeplechase Park in Coney Island as children.

The New York Times

How carefully do you have to watch what they're doing on "Weeds" to make sure you're not repeating those storylines? A. "Weeds" is a very good show that I'd like to go on record as saying I didn't know it existed when I first came up with the idea of "Breaking Bad".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Granted that the table would exist if it were perceived, does it exist when it is not perceived?

Encyclopedia Britannica

This clip comes from Hunan TV's Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, an annual television extravaganza roughly along the lines of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade telecast, i.e. you remember it exists when you flip past and find it.

The New Yorker

It does not exist in aggregations of people without order or moral union, it exists when a set of people choose to unite as a community.

SEP

This paper models the phenomenon of collective invention as it exists when the disclosure of information among competing entities creates a positive feedback that allows for high innovation rates and fast knowledge accumulation.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

It is, after all, quite uncontroversial that my seeing or hearing a dog gives me information about some particular dog as it exists when I see or hear it.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical contexts, use "it existed when" to clearly indicate the temporal relationship between a subject and a specific era or event. For example, "The kingdom flourished, and "it existed when" trade routes were open and secure."

Common error

Avoid using "it existed when" to describe something that still exists. "Existed" implies a past state. Use "it exists now" or "it exists currently" if the subject is ongoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it existed when" functions as an adverbial clause, specifying the temporal context for the main clause. It indicates the time period during which a particular state or condition was valid. Ludwig examples show this use in historical and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it existed when" serves to provide a temporal context, indicating the period in which something was valid. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily appears in news, science, and encyclopedia sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about whether you're referring to a past state or an ongoing condition, and remember that it exists when indicates a present condition. Furthermore, according to Ludwig, "it existed when" is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was present during

Focuses on the presence of something during a specific timeframe.

it was the case at that time

Emphasizes that something was factual or true during a particular period.

it was around at the time

Emphasizes the availability or existence of something during a particular period.

it functioned when

Focuses on the operational aspect of something during a specific timeframe.

it prevailed then

Highlights the dominance or commonality of something at a given time.

it was operational then

Highlights the working state of something at a specific time.

it was then in effect

Highlights that something was operational or legally binding at a certain time.

it was in vogue when

Indicates that something was fashionable or popular during a specific period.

it flourished in that era

Indicates that something thrived or prospered during a specific period.

it held true at that point

Stresses the veracity or validity of something at a certain time.

FAQs

How can I use "it existed when" in a sentence?

Use "it existed when" to specify the time frame during which something was present or functional. For example, "The practice of bloodletting was common, and "it existed when" medical knowledge was limited".

What can I say instead of "it existed when"?

Alternatives include "it was present during", "it was around at the time", or "it prevailed then", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it exists when" instead of "it existed when"?

The phrases have different meanings. "It existed when" refers to a past state, while "it exists when" indicates a present or ongoing condition. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the timeline.

What's the difference between "it existed when" and "it was created when"?

"It existed when" refers to the period during which something was present or functional, while "it was created when" indicates the specific point in time at which something came into being. They focus on different aspects of the timeline.