of when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of when" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English as part of a prepositional phrase. It is often used to indicate a specific time or point in time. Example: The family reunion is a yearly event that takes place in July, but memories of when we all gathered at the beach house in August still linger in my mind.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a matter of when".

The New York Times

It is a matter of when.

The New York Times

He offered no predictions of when.

The New York Times

It's just a matter of when.

The New York Times

"It was just a matter of when.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a question of when".

The New York Times

It's now a question of when.

The Guardian

"It's part of when you manage people.

The New York Times - Sports

An image of when galaxies collide.

The New Yorker

It's only a question of when.

The New York Times

It's always a question of when".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of when" to introduce clauses that specify timing, ensuring clarity in complex sentences. For example, instead of "The event's timing is uncertain", use "There is uncertainty of when the event will take place."

Common error

Avoid using "of when" in simple sentences where a direct statement of time is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "The discussion of when to meet occurred", a simpler "We discussed when to meet" is clearer and more concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of when" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause that specifies timing or a point in time. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of when" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce clauses that specify timing or a point in time. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in neutral to formal contexts such as news articles and scientific papers. While common, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy in simpler sentences. When specifying temporal context, "of when" provides clarity but can sometimes be replaced by more direct constructions for conciseness. Several examples shown by Ludwig indicate that it's a matter of style and appropriateness, rather than strict grammatical necessity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the time

Replaces "of when" with a more explicit reference to time.

concerning the moment

Substitutes "of when" with a focus on a specific instant.

in relation to the timing

Emphasizes the connection to a particular schedule.

relative to the timeframe

Specifies a duration or interval.

as to the period

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a duration.

pertaining to the instance

Draws attention to a specific occurrence.

in connection with the occasion

Associates the timing with a specific event.

with respect to the hour

Highlights a specific point in time with a formal register.

about the date

Focuses on a calendar day rather than a general time.

considering the stage

Indicates a phase or point in a process.

FAQs

How can I use "of when" in a sentence?

Use "of when" to introduce a clause specifying a time or point in time. For example, "The mystery /s/of+when the treasure was hidden remains unsolved".

What are some alternatives to using "of when"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "regarding the time", "concerning the moment", or "in relation to the timing".

Is it always necessary to use "of when" in sentences about time?

No, sometimes a more direct statement of time is clearer. Avoid using "of when" if a simpler construction works better.

What's the difference between "of when" and simply using "when"?

"Of when" is typically used to introduce a noun clause or prepositional phrase related to time, while "when" can directly introduce an adverbial clause. Using "when" directly might be more concise in some situations.