when

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'when' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to connect two clauses or phrases in order to form a question or introduce a subordinate clause. For example: "When will you be back from your trip?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was one of the most gentle and unflappable politicians I have ever known, yet he was immensely courageous, too, not least when he spoke for the country against the invasion of Iraq".

The Guardian

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly.

The Guardian - Opinion

When we are on the tube, occasionally I have to say to a member of the public that my son is autistic and that I'm sorry he is staring.

The Guardian - Opinion

Powell said: "When we saw Ahmed's image it had an instant Floydian resonance.

The Guardian - Music

I was in the room when he decided to vote for it.

The Guardian

All I know is that when I needed McDonald's, McDonald's was there for me.

The Guardian - Business

"Mr Carmichael said at the time that the first he was aware of this matter was when he received a call from a journalist, but we now know that this is simply untrue.

The Guardian

There was a time when 50 out of every 1,000 women in the UK got married annually.

The Guardian

"It is regrettable when homes need to be demolished, but Annington's decision to redevelop the estate will see an increase in the number of homes by more than 100%, from 142 to 288, and the inclusion of 20% affordable homes will see a minimum of 59 created where there were none before.

The Guardian

"When you have jets being flown up the English Channel, when you have submarines in the North Sea, it looks to me like it's warming up".

The Guardian

It is not just when settler violence against Palestinians goes unpunished.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when" to clearly establish temporal relationships between events, ensuring the sequence of actions is easily understood by the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "will" or "would" in the clause introduced by "when" when it refers to a future event. Instead, use the present simple tense: "I will call you when I arrive" (not "when I will arrive").

Linguistic Context

"When" primarily functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a time clause that provides context for the main clause. Ludwig's examples show its role in establishing temporal relationships within sentences, creating complex sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when" functions as a subordinating conjunction that specifies the timing or circumstances of an event. Ludwig AI identifies its grammatical status as correct, and it's very common. Its versatility allows for use across varied registers, with a prevalence in News & Media. To enhance clarity, remember to use the present simple tense for future events in the "when" clause and avoid confusion with "if". By understanding these nuances, you can confidently and accurately use "when" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at what time

This alternative emphasizes the specific point in time.

while

This indicates simultaneous actions or events.

at the moment that

Highlights the precise instant something happens.

during the time that

It specifies an action happening concurrently with a period of time.

as soon as

It implies immediacy following an action.

upon the occasion that

This is a formal way to introduce a specific event or circumstance.

in the event that

This introduces a hypothetical situation or condition.

at any time that

Implies a non-specific timing, where something can happen on multiple occasions.

if and when

Suggests uncertainty about whether something will happen.

on the condition that

It indicates an action that will only occur if something else does.

FAQs

How to use "when" in a sentence?

"When" can introduce a time clause (When the bell rings, the students leave) or a question (When will you arrive?). Ludwig provides numerous examples of both.

What can I say instead of "when" to indicate time?

Alternatives to "when" include "while", "as soon as", or "during", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Which is correct, "when I will arrive" or "when I arrive"?

In most cases, "when I arrive" is correct to describe a future action. "When I will arrive" is generally incorrect unless expressing uncertainty or speculation. Example: I will be informed when I will arrive at destination.

What's the difference between "when" and "if"?

"When" indicates a time or circumstance that is certain to happen, while "if" introduces a condition that may or may not occur. For instance, "Call me when you arrive" implies arrival is certain, while "Call me if you have time" implies time is conditional.