it is then when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it is then when' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in situations to describe a relationship between two events, where the first event must happen before the second event can occur. For example, "It is then when the football game begins that we can see who the better team is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

How sad it is, then, when the product or service is finally introduced and the only reaction in the marketplace is a resounding ker-flop.

Harvard Business Review

If you think it is, then when you look into outer space the stars appear to be billions of years old.

The Guardian

It is then when his second chance is most likely to be judged.

BBC

In the words of Pink Floyd, it is then when we become "just another brick in the wall".

Huffington Post

It is then when we turn to each other and recognize that the true gold has been before us all along.

Huffington Post

It is then when you are at your lowest, that you reach for the person who resides inside this vessel that is your body.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Its waiting room is as busy as it was then when Citizens Advice helped 14,000 people.

The Guardian

It was then when a problem was discovered.

Cornell University

It was then when I went on a run.

Independent

It was then, when she was 15, that a small sporting miracle intervened.

The Guardian - Sport

It was then when the crowd was less forgiving for the Knicks' other new member, Keith Van Horn.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider if a more concise or elegant phrasing would better suit your writing. For example, "That's when..." or "Only then..." can often replace "it is then when" without loss of meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "it is then when" excessively in formal contexts. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and less sophisticated. Instead, vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "subsequently" or rephrasing the sentence to emphasize the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is then when" functions as an adverbial connector, linking a condition or prior event to a specific time or circumstance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure establishes a temporal relationship between two events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is then when" is a grammatically correct conjunction phrase used to specify the timing or conditions of an event. While acceptable in various contexts, as noted by Ludwig AI, it's often advisable to consider more concise alternatives like "that's when" or "only then" for improved clarity and style. Ludwig's examples show that this structure is commonly found in news and media sources, and the writing guidance suggests avoiding overuse in formal writing. Furthermore, consider how you can improve your sentence structure by rephrasing sentences so you don't even need to use the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is when

Shortened form focusing on the temporal aspect.

that's the time when

A simpler and more direct way of specifying a particular time.

that's when it happens

Changes the structure to emphasize the occurrence of an event at a specific time.

it is at that moment that

Replaces "then when" with a more formal and emphatic construction focusing on a particular moment.

it is during that time that

Specifies that something happens during a particular duration or period.

it is only when that

Similar to the above, but uses "only when" to highlight conditionality.

only then does it occur

Emphasizes the exclusivity of the event's occurrence after a condition is met.

it is in those instances that

Focuses on specific instances or situations where something occurs.

it is under those circumstances that

Highlights the specific conditions necessary for something to happen.

at that point

A concise way of referring to a specific time in the past.

FAQs

What does "it is then when" mean?

The phrase "it is then when" indicates a specific time or circumstance in which something occurs. It's used to connect a condition or event with the moment it leads to.

Is "it is then when" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is then when" is grammatically correct, though it can sometimes sound a bit wordy. Consider using a more concise alternative for clearer writing.

What can I say instead of "it is then when"?

You can use alternatives like "that is when", "only then", or "at that point" to express the same idea more concisely.

How can I improve my sentence using "it is then when"?

Try rephrasing your sentence to remove the need for "it is then when" altogether. For example, instead of "It is then when the sun sets that the bats emerge", you could say "The bats emerge at sunset".