the incident when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the incident when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific event or occurrence in a narrative or explanation. Example: "I still remember the incident when we first met at the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A receptionist at the hotel declined to answer questions on the incident when The Independent phoned.

Independent

Van Nistelrooy was reminded of the incident when speaking at the Oxford Union.

Independent

Tell us about the incident when you used the racial slur with a teammate.

The New York Times - Sports

Representatives of NBC and the "Saturday Night Live" producer Lorne Michaels would not confirm the incident when contacted recently.

The New York Times

But the police chief said the F.B.I. was already looking into the incident when he took office.

The New York Times

Remember the incident when Mr Matthews told a CNBC reporter to move towards the camera so he could ogle her?

The Economist

She was told she would face charges over the incident when she answered bail at Heathrow police station this morning.

Independent

George the president could have been reminded of the incident when A. Hamilton made paper money cherry red.

The New Yorker

Border points to the incident when he swiped at and missed a triple-bounce ball from Neil Foster.

The Guardian - Sport

But at the time of the incident, when one of the pumps failed, the backup was not working.

The Guardian

The body's auditors would be looking closely at the incident when they next assess the fishery's accreditation, Simpson said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the incident when" to clearly introduce a specific event that is relevant to your narrative. This phrase helps to provide context and clarity for your readers.

Common error

Ensure that the "incident" is well-defined or has been previously mentioned in your writing. Avoid using "the incident when" if the reader is not already aware of what incident you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The incident when functions as a relative clause, introducing a specific event and providing temporal context. Ludwig shows it's used to pinpoint a particular moment associated with an occurrence, adding clarity to the narrative. It modifies a noun by adding information about when the incident took place.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"The incident when" is a commonly used relative clause that helps to specify a particular event and its associated time. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, make sure the incident is clearly defined for your audience to avoid confusion. Alternatives like "the time when" or "the occasion when" can provide variety, depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the time when the incident occurred

Rephrases the query by explicitly stating the occurrence of the incident at a specific time.

the event when it took place

Substitutes "incident" with "event" and uses the phrase "it took place."

the occasion when this occurred

Uses "occasion" instead of "incident" and replaces "happened" with "occurred" for a more formal tone.

the situation when it happened

Replaces "incident" with "situation" and uses "it happened" for simplicity.

when the incident unfolded

Shortens the phrase by using the verb "unfolded" to describe the incident.

during the time of the incident

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the incident using "during the time."

the moment the incident started

Highlights the exact moment the incident began.

the point at which the incident began

Emphasizes the starting point of the incident.

following the incident when

Introduces a sequential relationship, emphasizing what came after the incident.

the period when the incident was ongoing

Highlights the duration of the incident.

FAQs

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

The phrase "the incident when" introduces a specific event or occurrence. For example, "I remember "the incident when" the power went out during the concert."

What are some alternatives to using "the incident when"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the time when", "the event where", or "the situation in which". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a more formal way to phrase "the incident when"?

Yes, in more formal contexts, you might use "the occasion when" or "the circumstance in which". These alternatives offer a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "the incident when" and "the incident that"?

"The incident when" specifies a time in relation to the incident, while "the incident that" describes the incident itself. For example, "the incident that caused the fire" focuses on the cause, while ""the incident when" the fire started" focuses on the timing.