the month when

USAGE SUMMARY

"the month when" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe a specific month in a sentence. For example, "June is the month when I always go on vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

September, the month when France makes its post-vacation "rentrée" and social, cultural and political life resumes, is also the month when women dress up again, exchanging loose summer garb and tropéziennes for form-fitting skirts and high heels.

The New York Times

September is the month when the Arctic Ocean is most free of ice.

The New York Times

June is also the month when Portugal faces its toughest refinancing hurdles of the year.

The New York Times

October is traditionally the month when clubs begin sacking their managers.

BBC

March is usually the month when people in the real estate business start getting hopeful.

Forbes

April tends to be the month when new music comes out of hiding.

The New Yorker

July is the hottest month in Minnesota state-wide and is usually the month when the peak heat waves occur.

Wikipedia

-1.2% for the month when +0.2% was expected.

The Guardian - Business

Everything changed at the end of the month, when the money ran out.

The New Yorker

Mr. Pérez dreads the end of the month, when his job will end.

The New York Times

In 1931 it was the month when Britain went off the gold standard.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the month when" to clearly specify a particular month characterized by a notable event or recurring activity. For instance, "December is the month when many celebrate the holidays."

Common error

Avoid replacing "when" with "that" in this phrase. "The month that" can sound awkward and is grammatically less precise than "the month when", which correctly indicates a time-related clause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the month when" functions as a temporal specifier, introducing a relative clause that identifies a specific month based on an event or characteristic. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used to provide context or define a particular month.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the month when" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to specify a particular month characterized by a defining event or activity. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and utility across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to use "when" rather than "that" for precision. To enrich your writing, consider alternatives like "the time that" or "the period in which", depending on your intended meaning. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "the month when" to provide clear and meaningful temporal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the time that

Replaces "month" with a more general term, broadening the timeframe.

the period in which

Uses more formal vocabulary to denote a span of time.

the occasion that

Shifts focus to a specific event instead of a duration.

the season when

Specifies a season instead of a month.

during which month

Inverts the sentence structure for emphasis.

the point at which

Focuses on a precise moment, altering the sense of duration.

the stage where

Introduces a concept of progression or development over time.

the phase in which

Similar to 'stage', but emphasizes distinct phases of an event.

the day when

Focuses on a specific day instead of a month

the week that

Replaces the month with a shorter time frame.

FAQs

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

Use "the month when" to specify a particular month notable for a specific event or activity. For example, "April is "the month when" many flowers bloom."

What phrases are similar to "the month when"?

Similar phrases include "the time that", "the period in which", or "during which month", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. You can also try "the day when" or "the week when" if you want to be more precise.

Is it correct to say "the month that" instead of "the month when"?

While "the month that" might be understood, it is less precise and less common than "the month when", which is the preferred construction for indicating a time-related clause.

What's the difference between "the month when" and "in the month that"?

"The month when" introduces a defining characteristic of the month, whereas "in the month that" simply specifies a time frame. For example, "April is "the month when" taxes are due" versus "Important events occurred in the month that followed."