there were months when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were months when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe specific periods in the past when certain events or conditions occurred. Example: "There were months when the weather was unusually warm, leading to an early spring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I continued to see him at the theater, where he would always nod and perhaps raise his eyebrows complicitously, as if to say, "Ah, we're still here, aren't we?" He had a liver transplant in 2010, so there were months when he was absent from theater lobbies.

The New York Times

There were months when I'd be thinking.

The New Yorker

There were months when I sold only three televisions.

The Guardian

They began to equip the town house with trappings of affluence, even though there were months when they could barely pay the rent.

The New Yorker

There were months when Woodson's mother would stare at a pile of bills and worry if there would be anything left after the last payment was in the mail.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr Cameron rejected claims that a referendum would destabilise the economic recovery, suggesting there were months when the UK was securing more inward investment than the whole of the EU combined despite the warnings about its future membership.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Shearer was a fantastic goalscorer, but he knows there are months when you can and can't score.

The Guardian - Sport

Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty There are months when you worry a lot, but, in the end, the rent gets paid, and so do all the other bills that really have to be, and it doesn't matter how little is left in your bank account — it is enough, and you feel good.

The New Yorker

Then there are months when they pay rent late.

The Guardian - Money

There are months when it seems more blessed that an item be gone immediately than to reasonably dispose of it.

The New York Times

Overage charges may simply reflect a customer's intentional extra use of a service, suggests Christopher Guttman-McCabe, vice president for regulatory affairs at the C.T.I.A.. "There are months when my water bill or electricity bill goes up significantly," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were months when", ensure that the context clearly indicates which specific months are being referred to, or that the general idea is understood from previous context.

Common error

Avoid using "there were months when" without providing sufficient context. Readers may struggle to understand which months are being discussed, leading to confusion. Be specific or provide related information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were months when" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying the period during which an action or state occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there were months when" is a grammatically correct and common way to specify periods of time in which something occurred. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing sufficient context about the months being referenced. While versatile, consider alternative phrases like "there were times when" or "during certain months" to add nuance or formality to your writing. Avoiding vagueness will enhance the effectiveness of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were times when

Replaces "months" with "times", broadening the scope to include any instance, not just monthly periods.

there were periods when

Substitutes "months" with "periods", indicating a more general duration of time.

there were occasions when

Uses "occasions" instead of "months", focusing on specific instances or events.

there were moments when

Replaces "months" with "moments", narrowing the focus to brief instances.

during those months

Refers to a previously specified group of months when something happened.

during some months

Specifies that something happened during certain months, shifting the focus slightly.

in several months

Emphasizes the quantity of months in which an event happened.

for a few months

Indicates a limited duration measured in months when something occurred.

certain months saw

Restructures the sentence to emphasize specific months and their characteristics.

some months included

Similar to 'certain months saw', but focusing on the content or components of each month.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "there were months when" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you might consider alternatives such as "during certain months", "in several months", or "over a period of months". These options offer a similar meaning but convey a more polished tone.

What's the difference between "there were months when" and "there were times when"?

While both phrases indicate a past occurrence, "there were months when" refers specifically to periods of approximately 30 days, while "there were times when" is more general and can refer to any duration of time.

Is it grammatically correct to say "there was months when"?

No, "there was months when" is grammatically incorrect. The plural "months" requires the plural verb "were". The correct phrase is "there were months when".

What can I say instead of "there were months when" to emphasize the infrequency of an event?

To emphasize infrequency, you could use phrases like "only in a few months", "in sporadic months", or "just a couple of months saw".