refers to when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refers to when" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example: "The phrase 'in the past' refers to when a particular event or action occurred in the past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Finality" is the term which refers to when a court renders a final judgment on the merits.

Cornell University

The budget legislation refers to "when the amendment is made," as if it were already a done deal.

The New York Times

Samples for flowback/produced water were collected over a 200-day period (day 0 refers to when flowback began) from two wells.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

About 20 years ago I worked at the National Museum Wales (one of Britain's "regional" museums that Mr Jones patronisingly refers to) when admission charges were introduced.

The Guardian

It's the McCormack template one refers to when scanning the array of top prospects parading along the red carpet on the first night of the three-day draft.

The New York Times

A grandmaster draw refers to when players engage in a short, effectively uncontested game, often in the last round of a tournament, and then agree to a draw.

The New York Times

The loss of this welter of evidence is what our great woodland landscape historian, Dr Oliver Rackham, refers to when he talks of loss of meaning from the countryside.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The term does not refer to when the storm meets land; rather, it refers to when the calm center of the storm (or its "eye," see below) crosses the shoreline.

The New York Times

"Doosra", which means "the other one" in Urdu, refers to when an off-spinner, who would normally spin the ball from left to right, gets it to fizz the other way.

The Economist

Nonsimultaneous transfer refers to when a task requires more than one intermediate state it is possible for one state to be transferred and stored in a unit that is processing it for a while and wait for the other intermediates to come together to start the task.

Chemical Engineering Science

"Government hacking" refers to when government investigators use vulnerabilities (bugs) in software and hardware products to, first, gain remote access to computers that have information the investigators want, and then remotely search the computer, monitor user activity on it, or even interfere with its operation.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the clause following "refers to when" provides a specific and unambiguous description of the condition or event being defined.

Common error

Avoid using "refers to when" in contexts where a simple definition would suffice. This phrase is most effective when specifying a particular condition or time frame is crucial to understanding the term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refers to when" functions as a defining relative clause. It introduces a description that specifies the time or conditions under which a term or concept is applicable, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. It helps clarify the precise meaning of the subject being discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refers to when" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to introduce a defining clause that specifies the timing or conditions under which a term or concept applies. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for use across various contexts, including news, scientific, and academic writing. While versatile, it's essential to use it when specifying the condition or timeframe is crucial for understanding. Remember to maintain clarity by avoiding ambiguity, and ensure the clause following the phrase offers a specific and unambiguous description. Top authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is defined as when

Emphasizes the definition aspect more strongly, implying a formal definition.

is understood as the time when

Highlights the temporal aspect, focusing on a specific moment or period.

is characterized by the instance when

Focuses on a specific instance or event that defines the subject.

denotes the situation when

Emphasizes the context or situation in which something occurs.

is applicable when

Highlights the conditions or circumstances under which something applies.

occurs at the point when

Pinpoints a specific time or condition that triggers an event.

applies in cases where

Similar to "is applicable when", but focuses on specific cases.

is triggered when

Highlights the initiating event or condition.

is marked by the moment when

Focuses on the specific moment as a defining characteristic.

is contingent upon when

Highlights the dependence of one event on the timing of another.

FAQs

How can I use "refers to when" in a sentence?

Use "refers to when" to define a term or concept by specifying the condition or time frame in which it is relevant. For example: "Landfall "refers to when" the center of a hurricane crosses the shoreline."

What are some alternatives to using "refers to when"?

Alternatives include "is defined as when", "is understood as the time when", or "denotes the situation when", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example: "Res judicata is also frequently referred to as claim preclusion."

Is it grammatically correct to use "refers to when"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Refers to when" is used to introduce a clause that specifies the circumstances or timing that define a term or event.

What's the difference between "refers to when" and "means when"?

"Refers to when" is more precise and often used in formal contexts to define a term by specifying a condition or time frame. "Means when" is a simpler, less formal way to express a similar idea. For example: "AWOL or Away Without Leave, "refers to when" a soldier is found missing."