regulate when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regulate when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the control or management of timing or conditions for an event or action. Example: "The new policy will regulate when employees can take their breaks during work hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Hormones are being produced that regulate when genes are turned on and off.

The Guardian

These Terms and Conditions regulate when you ("HUSBAND") may tell me ("WIFE") about your day.

The New York Times

Campuses can regulate when and where speech takes place in order to prevent disruption of school activities.

University of California, Berkeley

Impress named 10 small publishers it will regulate when submitting its application to the PRP for charter recognition.

The Guardian

Though the city does not generally regulate how people wash the sidewalks, it does regulate when they do it.

The New York Times

The laws of armed conflict regulate when a nation state may legally use military force against another state, and what means it may use to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

They often convince firms to "self-regulate" when public regulation seems too lax.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The most intriguing cluster, however, were those transcripts that were up-regulated when exposed to a low dose of copper with a subsequent down-regulation at higher doses.

BMC Biology

"With regard to exposure to heat specifically, fetuses and infants are especially sensitive because their thermoregulatory systems are not fully developed and they have less capacity to self-regulate when their bodies are exposed to extreme temperatures," Rossin-Slater said.

Stanford University

In some industries, businesses can reduce variability by regulating when customers show up.

Harvard Business Review

In contrast, TLR4 was down regulated when farnesol was added to the tissue with or without C. albicans.

Cytokine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "regulate when", ensure the subject performing the regulation is clearly defined. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Ensure that the entity doing the "regulating" is explicitly stated. For example, instead of "It regulates when...", specify "The policy regulates when...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regulate when" functions as part of a relative clause, indicating the control or management of the timing of an event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "regulate when" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that specifies the control or management of timing. As supported by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears frequently across various contexts, including science, news media, and formal business settings. While grammatically correct, ensure the subject is clearly defined. For alternative phrasing, "control when" and "determine when" offer simpler, more direct alternatives. Therefore, "regulate when" is a reliable choice when specifying the conditions that dictate the timing of an event or action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

control when

This alternative uses a more common verb, "control", instead of "regulate", to convey a similar meaning of managing timing.

determine when

This phrase emphasizes the act of finding out or establishing the time something happens, rather than directly managing it.

manage the timing of

This alternative focuses on the management aspect of timing, highlighting a deliberate effort to organize schedules.

set the time for

This is a more direct way of saying to fix a specific time for an action.

schedule the occurrence of

This alternative phrase uses more formal language and highlights the organization of an event's timing.

dictate the timing of

This phrase implies a forceful or authoritative control over when something happens.

govern the timing of

Similar to regulate, but with a broader connotation of overseeing and directing the temporal aspects.

oversee when

This option suggests monitoring or supervising the timing of an event, rather than actively setting it.

stipulate when

This implies establishing a condition or requirement specifying the timing of an action.

fix the period for

This option focuses on establishing or setting a duration or timeframe for an activity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "regulate when" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "stipulate when" or "govern the timing of". These options convey a sense of authority and control over timing.

What is a simpler alternative to "regulate when"?

If you want a simpler alternative, you can use phrases like "control when" or "determine when". These options are more straightforward and easier to understand.

Is it always necessary to use "regulate when", or are there situations where another phrase is better?

While "regulate when" is grammatically correct, it's not always the best choice. If you're simply trying to establish a time, consider using "set the time for". If you're looking for control, consider "dictate the timing of".

Can "regulate when" be used in contexts other than rules and laws?

Yes, "regulate when" can be used in various contexts. For example, in science, you might say hormones "regulate when" genes are turned on. In daily life, you could say circadian rhythms "regulate when" you feel most energetic.