only when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only when" is correct and usable in written English.It is often used to indicate a specific condition or circumstance.
For example, "You can go out to play only when you have finished your homework."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only when V.C.U.

The New York Times - Sports

"Only when I sleep.

The New York Times

But only when he jumps.

The New York Times - Sports

Only when they were small.

The New York Times

Only when the husband dies?

The New York Times - Magazine

But only when I'm cold".

Independent

Only when his parents spoke to him.

The New Yorker

"Only when I'm stressed," she said.

The New Yorker

"Only when you are in contention.

Independent

(though only when she was "very good").

The New York Times - Food

"Only when it becomes vintage," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only when" to set clear boundaries or limitations. For example, "Access will be granted "only when" the payment is processed."

Common error

Avoid placing "only" in a position that unintentionally changes the meaning. For instance, "I eat dessert only when I'm sad" is different from "I only eat dessert when I'm sad." The first implies that sadness is the only time for dessert, while the second suggests that dessert is the only thing you eat when sad. Place "only" directly before the word it modifies to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only when" functions as an adverbial clause of condition, specifying the necessary condition for the main clause to occur. Ludwig examples show it setting limitations or prerequisites.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

34%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only when" is a versatile phrase used to specify conditions. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. To ensure clarity, place "only" directly before the element it modifies. Remember, "only when" specifies a necessary condition, differing from the more general "if". By understanding its function and register, you can confidently use "only when" to express nuanced conditional relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely if

Emphasizes the single, exclusive condition for something to occur.

exclusively when

Similar to "solely if", highlighting that something happens only under a particular circumstance.

just in the event that

Focuses on a specific event as the trigger for an action.

merely upon the condition that

Highlights that something is conditional.

provided that

States a requirement that must be met for something else to happen.

as long as

Indicates a condition that must continue for a certain outcome.

on the sole condition that

Stresses that there's only one condition that applies.

subject to

Indicates that something is dependent on certain factors or conditions.

contingent upon

Similar to "subject to", but often used in more formal contexts.

conditional on

Directly states that something is dependent on a condition.

FAQs

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

Use "only when" to introduce a condition that must be met for something else to occur. For example, "The system updates "only when" there is a new version available."

What are some alternatives to using "only when"?

You can use alternatives such as "solely if", "exclusively when", or "provided that" to convey a similar meaning to "only when". For instance, "The software functions "solely if" the license is valid."

Is it correct to start a sentence with "only when"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "only when" is grammatically correct. When you do so, you typically need to invert the subject and auxiliary verb in the main clause. For example, "Only when the rain stops will the game continue."

What's the difference between "only when" and "if"?

"If" introduces a general condition, while "only when" specifies the sole condition under which something happens. "If it rains, we'll stay inside" indicates one possible condition, but ""only when" it rains will we stay inside" suggests that rain is the only reason to stay inside.