that was when

USAGE SUMMARY

"that was when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a way to link two different times or moments together. For example: "I remembered the day my father left - that was when I knew my life would never be the same again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That was when everything changed".

The New York Times

That was when Rivera intervened.

The New York Times - Sports

That was when the trouble began.

The New York Times

That was when it all went wrong.

The New York Times

That was when the real trouble began.

The New York Times

That was when I first got noticed".

The New York Times

But that was when Spain was booming.

The Economist

That was when the real mischief began.

The New York Times

That was when the political problems started.

The Economist

That was when Ed got the call.

The New Yorker

That was when the China speculation started.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was when" to clearly establish a chronological sequence or to highlight a pivotal moment in a narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "that was when" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated temporal connectors to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was when" functions as a temporal connector, linking two clauses by indicating when an event occurred or a state began. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a way to link different times or moments together.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"That was when" is a common temporal connector used to link events in a chronological sequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, serving to highlight pivotal moments or beginnings. While its grammatical status is correct, it may be considered too informal for highly academic or professional contexts where alternatives like "at that moment" or "the turning point was when" could be more appropriate. Therefore, its effectiveness depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's when it happened

This alternative provides a more direct and emphatic way to describe when an event occurred.

at that moment

This alternative emphasizes the precise instant when something occurred.

it was at that time

This phrase provides a slightly more formal way of indicating a specific point in time.

the turning point was when

This option specifically indicates a moment of significant change or decision.

it began at that point

Similar to "at that moment", this emphasizes a particular point in time as the start of something.

the moment arrived when

This option uses a more descriptive and literary tone to highlight the significance of the moment.

it all started when

This phrase emphasizes the beginning of a sequence of events at a particular time.

then came the time when

This phrase creates a sense of anticipation, leading up to the moment described.

the day that

This alternative specifies a date and is useful for giving the reader some context.

subsequently

Using 'subsequently' provides a sense of immediate succession after an event, action or time.

FAQs

How can I use "that was when" in a sentence?

Use "that was when" to connect a past event with its consequence or the beginning of another event. For example, "The alarm went off, "that was when" the chaos started".

What are some alternatives to "that was when"?

Alternatives include "at that moment", "it was at that time", or "the turning point was when", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "that was when" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that was when" might sound too informal for academic or professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives to maintain a sophisticated tone.

How does "that was when" differ from "that is when"?

"That was when" refers to a specific moment in the past, while "that is when" refers to a general or habitual occurrence, or a future event. For example, "That was when I realized my mistake" (past) versus "That is when the meeting usually starts" (present/future).