it was just when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was just when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a specific moment in time when something occurred or changed. Example: "It was just when I thought everything was going smoothly that the unexpected happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"It was just when".

The New York Times - Sports

It was just when we moved into our first house with a garden that it just kind of took off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was just when Ronald Reagan had gotten into office and was defunding every major federal social welfare program," Ms. Krueger says.

The New York Times

It was just when you got back from tropica you made it sound like you had only smoked weed once and then last night that came out.

The Guardian

It was just when I had despaired of ever becoming a writer that I applied for a secretarial position at the magazine Mademoiselle.

The New Yorker

It was just when I was little, I grew up in a house on four acres of property, it was built in 1870 and we'd find things and I had a little dig.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It's just when".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's just when it's right," he said then.

The New York Times

It's just, when it gets boiled down..."...

The Guardian

It's just when it gets out of hand.

The New Yorker

I know we'll do it, it's just when.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was just when" to introduce a clause that specifies the precise timing of an event or change, ensuring clarity and emphasis in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it was just when" interchangeably with phrases that indicate causality or reason. Ensure that the clause introduced by "it was just when" clearly specifies the timing of an event, not the reason for it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was just when" functions as an adverbial clause introducer, specifying the precise moment in time that an event occurred or a state changed. Ludwig provides examples to illustrate this temporal specification.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was just when" serves as an effective tool for specifying the timing of events. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that it is to be employed to specify the exact time an event happened, and not the reason it happened. Alternative phrases such as "it happened precisely when" can add emphasis or formality, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it happened precisely when

Emphasizes exactness, making the timing more specific than "it was just when".

it occurred exactly when

Indicates the precise moment of an event, offering a slightly more formal tone.

it took place the moment that

Highlights the immediacy of the event, emphasizing a direct and rapid sequence.

it all started as soon as

Focuses on the commencement of a series of events immediately following a specific time.

it began right at the instant

Stresses the initial point with a sense of immediacy and precision.

it unfolded directly after

Emphasizes the unfolding of events immediately following a particular moment.

it materialized the second that

Highlights the sudden appearance or realization concurrent with a specific time.

it came about shortly after

Implies a brief delay between the specified time and the subsequent event.

it arose immediately following

Focuses on the rise or emergence of something directly after a given time.

it surfaced promptly once

Indicates a quick surfacing or discovery right after something occurs.

FAQs

How can I use "it was just when" in a sentence?

Use "it was just when" to specify the moment something happened. For example, "It was just when I was about to leave that the phone rang."

What can I say instead of "it was just when"?

You can use alternatives like "it happened precisely when", "it occurred exactly when", or "it took place the moment that" depending on the specific context.

Is "it was just when" formal or informal?

"It was just when" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the specific communication environment.

What's the difference between "it was just when" and "it was only when"?

"It was just when" specifies timing, while "it was only when" implies a condition or realization that occurred at a specific time. "It was just when the rain started that we decided to go inside" focuses on the timing of the decision, while "It was only when the rain started that we decided to go inside" suggests the rain was the reason for going inside.