this happen when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this happen when" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "This happens when scientists don't understand the consequences of their experiments."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

As a society, can we afford to have this happen when we have humane alternatives?

The New York Times

"Unfortunately, things like this happen when you have confrontations out there," he said.

The New York Times

Yao is certainly not an All-Star by most definitions, but things like this happen when the fans vote.

The New York Times

How does this happen when you have agencies like the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health in place to protect us?

The New York Times

But no sooner did this happen when another mushroom, smaller in size than the first one, began emerging out of the pillar.

The New York Times

Importantly, did this happen when Patry Hoskins was cross-examining witnesses, presumably had access to confidential information and was drafting sensitive correspondence on behalf of the inquiry?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Usually this happened when someone unexpectedly asked what it was.

The New Yorker

This happens when the pelvic muscles and connective tissues weaken.

The New York Times

"All this happened when he got released," Johnson said.

The New York Times

This happened when the family went shopping en masse.

The New York Times - Arts

Apparently, this happened when Columbus landed in America.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this happen when", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. It's often used to introduce a cause-and-effect relationship or to explain the conditions under which something occurs.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "this happen" instead of "this happens" when referring to a singular event or situation. Always ensure the verb agrees with the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this happen when" functions as a clause introducing a condition or circumstance. Although the grammatically correct form is “this happens when”, Ludwig shows that the expression is used to explain the circumstances related to a certain event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Huffington Post

9%

Less common in

The New Yorker

3%

Wiki

3%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this happen when" is a phrase used to introduce a condition or circumstance, often explaining why something occurs. Despite not being strictly grammatically correct, Ludwig indicates that the expression is commonly used, particularly in news and media, to indicate the conditions of an event. While it's acceptable in informal contexts, using the grammatically correct form "this happens when" is advisable for formal writing. Remembering subject-verb agreement can help prevent errors in usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when this occurs

Reverses the order and uses "occurs" instead of "happen" for a more formal tone.

when does this take place

Uses "take place" to replace "happen" and frames the phrase as a question.

under what circumstances does this happen

Specifies that we are talking about circumstances or conditions related to something.

this is the time when it happens

Changes the structure to emphasize the timing of the event.

the moment this occurs

Replaces "happen" with "occurs" and focuses on a specific moment.

this transpires when

Substitutes "happen" with the more formal "transpires".

this event happens when

Adds the word "event" to clarify the subject and focuses on the timing.

this unfolds when

Replaces "happen" with "unfolds" suggesting a gradual process.

when this comes about

Uses "comes about" instead of "happen" for a slightly different nuance.

upon this occurrence

Employs more formal language to describe the timing of an event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this happen when" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "this occurs when" or "this transpires when". These alternatives employ more sophisticated vocabulary while maintaining the original meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this happen when"?

While commonly used, "this happen when" is not strictly grammatically correct. The grammatically correct alternative is "this happens when", with the verb agreeing with the singular subject.

What's the difference between "this happen when" and "this happens when"?

"This happen when" is often used colloquially, while "this happens when" is the grammatically correct form. The latter ensures subject-verb agreement.

When is it appropriate to use "this happen when" in writing?

While not ideal for formal writing, "this happen when" may be acceptable in informal contexts, such as casual conversations or less formal blog posts. However, it's generally best to use the grammatically correct "this happens when".