the case when

USAGE SUMMARY

"the case when" is a valid and very common phrase used in written English.
It is used to express an instance or condition in which something happens. For example, "The case when a law is broken is usually handled by the court system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is especially the case when it comes to concussions".

The New York Times - Sports

This is especially the case when teen-agers get together.

The New Yorker

That wasn't always the case when we were playing.

The Guardian - Sport

"That was the case when Dale Earnhardt was with us.

The New York Times - Sports

That wasn't the case when I was a young player.

The New York Times - Sports

Was that also the case when Republicans held the majority?

The New Yorker

That wasn't the case when I came on.

The New York Times

Was that the case when you were growing up?

The Guardian - Books

But that's not the case when it comes to clothing.

The Guardian

That was the case when the Orange prize started".

The Guardian - Books

This is in particular the case when.

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the case when" to clearly specify a particular circumstance or condition under which a statement is true. This can help avoid ambiguity and make your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "the case when" in situations where a simpler conjunction like "when" or "if" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted. For example, instead of writing "This happens in the case when it rains", you can write "This happens when it rains".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the case when" functions as a subordinating conjunction phrase, introducing a dependent clause that specifies a condition or circumstance. It typically connects a general statement to a specific situation where that statement applies. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the case when" is a frequently used phrase in English to specify the conditions under which something is true. It functions as a subordinating conjunction phrase, adding precision to statements. While generally neutral, it leans towards formality and is often found in News & Media and Science contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and accepted. When using "the case when", ensure it is necessary and not redundant, and consider more concise alternatives like "when" or "if" in simpler scenarios. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "the case when" to enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in circumstances where

Replaces "case" with "circumstances" and uses "where" instead of "when", offering a slightly more formal tone.

under conditions that

Substitutes "case" with "conditions" and "when" with "that", highlighting the specific requirements or prerequisites.

in instances where

Replaces "case" with "instances", emphasizing particular occurrences or examples.

on occasions when

Uses "occasions" to indicate specific times or events, slightly shifting the focus to temporal aspects.

in situations that

Employs "situations" instead of "case", providing a broader perspective on the surrounding circumstances.

when the situation is

Inverts the structure to emphasize the state of affairs leading to the outcome.

if the situation is such that

Introduces a conditional aspect, highlighting the dependency of the outcome on the specific state.

under the scenario where

Utilizes "scenario" to suggest a hypothetical or projected situation.

during instances of

Focuses on the temporal aspect of specific occurrences, emphasizing the period during which something happens.

in a situation where

Highlights the environmental conditions affecting the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "the case when" in a sentence?

Use "the case when" to introduce a specific situation or condition. For example, "Troubleshooting is more difficult in "the case when" the error message is vague."

What's a more concise alternative to "the case when"?

Depending on the context, you can often use "when" or "if" for a more concise sentence. For example, instead of "This is "the case when" it snows", you can say "This happens when it snows".

Is "the case when" formal or informal?

"The case when" leans towards a slightly more formal register. In informal contexts, using just "when" might be more appropriate.

How does "the case when" differ from "the case where"?

"The case when" refers to a specific time or condition, while "the case where" refers to a specific situation or location. For example, "Consider "the case when" the power fails" (a condition) versus "This is "the case where" additional support is needed" (a situation).