when I undertook

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when I undertook" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific time in the past when you began or accepted a task or responsibility. Example: "When I undertook the project, I had no idea how challenging it would be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

When I undertook the same poll last month traveling to and from Chicago, the numbers had changed dramatically.

The New York Times

Abrams: When I undertook the original job of general editor, I thought of it as the work of one clear summer.

The New York Times - Books

By the late 1970's, when I undertook my "Conversations With Arrau," he had begun to retreat into a world without words.

The New York Times - Arts

I believed when I undertook this assignment that it was in the national interest that the case be settled, and I believe it even more strongly today.

The New York Times

I was studying a 'pre-nursing course' in college (as it was called in the Dark Ages) when I undertook a placement in a Geriatric Hospital (as it was called in those days).

Nature

My job with Richard when I undertook it was to change the image of what people perceived as Sam LeFrak's company, which was basically affordable housing, into a dynamic development owner who builds exciting, exceptionally designed property.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

This image came to life for me years after I first puzzled about it, when I was undertaking a transformation in my own work and realized that Robert had planted a seed that was then sprouting.

The New Yorker

And G.M. did the same when it undertook a thorough redesign of the Malibu for 2004.

The New York Times

When my colleagues and I undertook our study of mortality in Iraq, I was very impressed with the public health professionals we were working with because of their innate interdisciplinarity.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"When I became a priest, I undertook to serve the sick even if it meant putting my life in danger," he says.

The Guardian

When I was a soldier, I undertook (I was bidding for the romantic attention of a student who had fallen behind in her work) a study of Sam Houston, and learned of the very large impact he had made with his speeches in the decades before the Civil War.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the task or project you undertook is clearly defined to provide context for your audience and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "when I undertook" if the timing of the action is irrelevant to the main point. If the specific moment isn't important, simply describe the action without the temporal clause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when I undertook" functions as an adverbial clause of time, providing a temporal context for the main clause. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when I undertook" serves as a temporal marker, effectively establishing a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. Appearing most frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts, this phrase is useful for providing background or setting the stage for a narrative. While there are several alternative phrases, choosing "when I undertook" appropriately adds clarity and context to your writing. Remember to ensure the timing is relevant to the point you are making. The expert rating is 4.5, emphasizing its grammatical correctness, authoritative sources, and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when beginning

A more straightforward and simple way to express the start of something.

upon beginning

A more formal way to say "when starting".

as I embarked on

Highlights the beginning of a journey or project with a sense of adventure.

as I initiated

Highlights the act of starting or launching a project.

on setting out to

Emphasizes the intention and purpose behind starting something.

as I set about

Implies a deliberate and purposeful start to a task.

upon commencing

Emphasizes the act of beginning something, often a formal task.

at the inception of

Emphasizes the very beginning or origin of something, often a project or idea.

at the start of

Focuses on the initial phase or moment of a task.

in initiating

Stresses the action of setting something in motion.

FAQs

How can I use "when I undertook" in a sentence?

Use "when I undertook" to introduce a specific past event or task that provides context for a subsequent action or realization. For example: "When I undertook the project, I had no idea how challenging it would be".

What are some alternatives to "when I undertook"?

Alternatives include: "as I embarked on", "upon beginning", or "at the start of", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it always necessary to use "when I undertook" when describing past actions?

No, it's not always necessary. Use "when I undertook" primarily when the timing or initiation of the action is relevant to the narrative or explanation. Otherwise, a simpler past tense may suffice.

What's the difference between "when I undertook" and "after I undertook"?

"When I undertook" emphasizes the moment the action began, while "after I undertook" focuses on the period following the completion of the action. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the beginning or the result of the undertaking.