when I was ten

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when I was ten" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific time in your childhood, often when sharing memories or experiences from that age. Example: "When I was ten, I spent my summer vacation learning how to ride a bike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

When I was ten God sent.

The New Yorker

"It's from when I was ten".

The New Yorker

I started riding when I was ten.

The New Yorker

I came here when I was ten years old.

The New Yorker

"Once, when I was ten, I switched the tubes.

The New Yorker

We moved to Salt Lake City when I was ten.

The New Yorker

So I started running when I was ten.

The New Yorker

In 1984, when I was ten, my father died.

The New Yorker

When I was ten, she got temporary custody of me and my younger sister, Ashley.

The New Yorker

My mother died when I was ten, and he became overly concerned about my welfare.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When I was twenty the one true.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when I was ten" to introduce personal anecdotes or memories from that specific time in your life, providing context for your story or reflection.

Common error

Avoid using "when I was ten" if the exact year is crucial for understanding the context; instead, specify the year directly (e.g., "In 1997, when I was ten...") to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when I was ten" functions as an adverbial clause of time, providing temporal context to the main clause. It specifies when an event or state occurred, setting the scene for the subsequent information. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and useful in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when I was ten" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce events or memories from a specific year in someone's childhood. It functions as an adverbial clause of time, providing temporal context. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various registers, though most examples are found in news and media. While effective for setting the scene, it's essential to provide more specific dates if the exact year is critical. Consider alternatives like "at the age of ten" or "during my tenth year" for variety, but "when I was ten" remains a clear and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the age of ten

Replaces the "when I was" clause with a prepositional phrase specifying age.

at ten years old

Slightly shorter alternative using a preposition.

during my tenth year

Uses a possessive pronoun and noun to indicate a period of time.

in my tenth year of life

More formal and explicit way to refer to the tenth year of someone's life.

as a ten-year-old

Uses the age as a compound adjective.

as a child of ten

Rephrases it with "child" specifying age.

being ten years old

Uses a gerund phrase to describe the state of being ten.

in the year I turned ten

Specifies the year in which the person reached the age of ten.

when I reached ten years of age

A more formal version using "reached" instead of "was".

around the age of ten

Indicates an approximate age.

FAQs

How can I use "when I was ten" in a sentence?

The phrase "when I was ten" is typically used to introduce a memory, experience, or event that occurred during that year of your life. For example, "When I was ten, I learned how to ride a bike".

What are some alternatives to saying "when I was ten"?

Alternatives include "at the age of ten", "during my tenth year", or "as a ten-year-old". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. See "at the age of ten", "during my tenth year", and "as a ten-year-old".

Is it grammatically correct to say "when I was ten years old"?

Yes, "when I was ten years old" is grammatically correct, but "when I was ten" is more concise and commonly used. The longer version simply adds explicit detail.

What's the difference between "when I was ten" and "around the time I was ten"?

"When I was ten" refers specifically to the year you were ten years old, whereas "around the time I was ten" suggests an approximate age, possibly a year or two before or after turning ten. See "around the age of ten".