it is only when that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is only when that" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would typically be "it is only when" followed by a clause without "that." Example: "It is only when we work together that we can achieve our goals."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For Madison, a politician acts with self-interest, and it is only when that self-interest can be channelled into the will of the community that it becomes a positive force, pitting ambition against ambition.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is only when that search comes up empty that the Court should overturn an act of Congress.

Huffington Post

It is only when that center can deliver a hard foul or two, that the offensive player will modify their behavior.

Huffington Post

For it is only when that system is changed and brought under control that there can be any hope for stopping the forces that create a war in Vietnam today or a murder in the South tomorrow or all the incalculable, innumerable more subtle atrocities that are worked on people all over all the time".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's only when that health care accompanies a realization that kids are having sex that people get a little "wiggy".

Huffington Post

It's only when that grip loosens that the onus is back on us.

The New York Times

It was only when, that same year, Jagger and Richards––the self-proclaimed Glimmer Twins––started writing songs that they pulled into a race with the Beatles.

The New Yorker

It was only when that record won a United Nations award that his employers at the university discovered his new double life and dismissed him from his post.

The Guardian - Music

It was only when that member of staff got to that polling station and saw the register that it was realised that 'oh my goodness this is the wrong register and this might not be an isolated incident'.

The Guardian

A five winged fruit – it is only when cut that the star shape is revealed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is only when we are that we win.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it is only when that" in formal writing. Opt for simpler and grammatically correct alternatives such as "only when" or "only if".

Common error

Do not add unnecessary words to conditional sentences. Using "it is only when" is often redundant; simply use "only when" for a clearer and more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is only when that" functions as a conditional conjunction, attempting to specify a condition that must be met for a particular outcome. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is only when that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Ludwig AI indicates that a more appropriate phrasing would be "only when". Although examples exist in news and media, it is advisable to use more concise and grammatically sound alternatives, such as "only when" or "only if", particularly in formal writing. The phrase aims to emphasize specific timing or conditions, but redundancy undermines its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only when

Omits 'it is' and 'that' for a more concise and grammatically sound expression.

only if

Replaces the temporal 'when' with a conditional 'if', altering the emphasis slightly but retaining the conditional meaning.

solely when

Adds emphasis with 'solely', indicating exclusivity in timing or condition.

just when

Softens the exclusivity, suggesting a specific moment in time rather than a strict condition.

exclusively when

Highlights that the condition is met only in specific circumstances.

specifically when

Focuses on a particular time or situation, making the condition more precise.

precisely when

Indicates a very exact moment or condition needs to be met.

at the point when

Formalizes the timing aspect, suitable for more academic or technical contexts.

in situations where

Shifts the focus to specific scenarios or conditions.

under circumstances where

Emphasizes the influence of surrounding conditions on the outcome.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it is only when that"?

You can use phrases like "only when", "only if", or "solely when" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "it is only when that" grammatically correct?

No, "it is only when that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to omit "it is" and "that", using "only when" instead.

How can I use "only when" correctly in a sentence?

Use "only when" to introduce a condition that must be met for something else to occur. For example, "Only when the rain stops will we go outside".

What's the difference between "it is only when that" and "only when"?

"Only when" is a concise and grammatically correct way to express a condition, while "it is only when that" is considered redundant and not standard in English writing. Using only when makes your writing clearer and more effective.