situation when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "situation when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific context or condition under which something occurs. Example: "The situation when the power goes out can be quite challenging for families relying on electronic devices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In that situation, when you spin around, it's like Hell.

Independent

"It was a situation when no one else was around".

The New York Times

"It will be a messy situation when it happens".

The New York Times

Consider the score and the situation when he came in.

The Guardian - Sport

Hopefully, I'm in the same situation when I get older".

The New York Times - Sports

A situation when no secondary ionization is generated is considered.

Advances in Space Research

Let us consider the exemplary situation when L equals 1.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Consider the situation when (s_{0}) is empty.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Q: What was the economic situation when you came back?

Science Magazine

The second one handles the general situation when all of three parts are present.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Compensations for these neurochemical effects complicate the situation when exposure is prolonged or repeated.

Toxicology of Organophosphate & Carbamate Compounds

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "situation when" to clearly link a context or condition to a specific occurrence. For example: "Consider the situation when resources are scarce."

Common error

Avoid using "situation when" excessively in overly complex sentences. Simplify by breaking down the sentence or using a more concise alternative like "circumstances where" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "situation when" functions as an adverbial clause of time or condition, modifying the main clause by specifying the context or circumstances under which the action or state occurs. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "situation when" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce a specific context or condition. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. It commonly appears in science, news, and formal business contexts. When writing, consider alternatives like "circumstances in which" or "case in which" to avoid redundancy, and ensure clarity by not overusing it in complex sentences. Remember to use this phrase to provide clear conditions in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

circumstances in which

Replaces "situation" with a broader term emphasizing the set of conditions.

case in which

Substitutes "situation" with "case", focusing on a specific instance.

instance where

Uses "instance" instead of "situation", highlighting a particular occurrence.

time when

Replaces "situation" with "time", specifically referring to a point in time.

occasion when

Emphasizes a specific event or happening.

the point at which

Focuses on a precise moment something happens.

the moment that

Similar to 'the point at which' but with more emphasis on a brief duration

under circumstances where

Adds formality by using 'under circumstances' instead of 'situation'.

in a scenario where

Replaces 'situation' with 'scenario' adding a hypothetical perspective.

when faced with

Shifts focus to the act of encountering a situation.

FAQs

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

Use "situation when" to describe a context or condition at a specific time. For example, "There was a difficult "situation when" the power went out during the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "situation when"?

You can use alternatives like "circumstances in which", "case in which", or "instance where" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "situation when"?

Yes, "situation when" is grammatically correct. It functions as a relative clause specifying a condition or context at a particular time.

What's the difference between "situation when" and "circumstances in which"?

"Situation when" is slightly more specific, focusing on a particular set of events, while "circumstances in which" refers to the broader set of conditions. They can often be used interchangeably, but consider the nuance of specificity.