it was finally when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was finally when" is not correct and sounds awkward in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a specific moment or event that occurred after a long wait or anticipation, but the phrasing is clumsy. Example: "It was finally when the sun set that we decided to start the bonfire."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I don't really believe in much, but do you know how good it was finally when I landed over here in the Children's Aid Society?" Mr. Garcia said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nevertheless, Iowa matters because it is finally when the past six months of endless speculation by pollsters and pundits becomes a lot less speculative, and the state-by-state strategies of the different candidates come into sharper focus.

Vice

It was rejected by seven publishers, but when it was finally published, when Paglia was 43, and teaching in the art faculty of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, it made her an international star.

Huffington Post

It was finally killed when Gray Davis, then the governor of California, issued an emergency order.

The New York Times

It was finally ended when the rebels in East Anglia under John Litster were crushed by the militant bishop of Norwich, Henry le Despenser, on about June 25.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On September 21st it was finally broken, when the country's two feuding presidential candidates, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, signed a power-sharing agreement.

The Economist

The cabin fever people imagine where you're holed up in your house; it's the opposite: winter is finally when you can go anywhere.

The New York Times - Travel

It was not given again until 2002, when it was finally performed in its entirety.

Wikipedia

When it was finally released, Performance continued to cast its shadow.

The Guardian - Film

When it was finally written, in 1948, she banned its publication entirely.

The Guardian - Books

When it was finally, finally, finally done, Matt Kenseth was in victory lane.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "it was only when" or "it was at last when" to improve readability and ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the structure "it was finally when" in your writing. This phrasing is considered grammatically awkward and can confuse readers. Replace it with more standard constructions for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was finally when" functions as part of a relative clause, introducing a point in time when something occurred after a period of waiting or anticipation. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was finally when" is used to indicate a specific moment or event that occurred after a period of waiting, but according to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically awkward. While examples can be found in news and media sources, it's recommended to use clearer alternatives such as "it was only when" or "it was at last when" for better readability. The infrequent usage and the availability of superior alternatives suggest avoiding this construction in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was only when

Emphasizes the conditionality of the event's occurrence; it happened solely because of a specific trigger.

it was at last when

Highlights the sense of relief or satisfaction that the event finally occurred after a long wait.

it happened finally when

Reorders the sentence to put focus on the event happening at the end.

it came to pass when

Formal way to denote that an event occurred.

it all culminated when

Stresses that the event was the final outcome of a series of preceding events.

the moment arrived when

Focuses on the specific timing and significance of the event.

the time came when

Similar to 'the moment arrived,' but with less emphasis on the importance of the event.

it reached its climax when

Indicates the peak or most intense point of a situation coincided with the event.

the culmination occurred when

Like 'it all culminated,' but more formal.

the climax was when

The phrasing emphasizes that the most exciting or important moment happened at a particular time.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it was finally when"?

More common and grammatically sound alternatives include "it was only when", "it was at last when", or simply restructuring the sentence for better clarity.

Is "it was finally when" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "it was finally when" is not considered grammatically ideal and may sound awkward to native English speakers. Using alternative phrasings can enhance the quality of your writing.

How can I improve sentences that use "it was finally when"?

Try rephrasing the sentence to use "only when" or "at last when" to achieve a more natural and grammatically correct construction. You can also restructure the sentence to eliminate the need for "when" altogether.

Why is "it was finally when" considered awkward?

The phrasing "it was finally when" is considered awkward because it combines redundant elements. The word "finally" already implies a sense of culmination or resolution, making the addition of "when" unnecessary and structurally clunky.