when addressed

USAGE SUMMARY

"when addressed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action that has been directed towards someone, such as a question or request. Example: The teacher asked her question when addressed to the class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

But what women hear when addressed as totty isn't complimentary at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a quick-witted but inappropriate remark, especially when addressed to a priest.

The New Yorker

Mentions a dinner Putin attended at "21," hosted by Tom Brokaw; Putin spoke only when addressed.

The New Yorker

Story of a young maiden who invariably, when addressed on any subject, would answer "What".

The New Yorker

Even low-lying infractions like suggestive posing and graphic language gain potency when addressed to hundreds of thousands of viewers.

The New York Times

Calling her "Babcia" (Granny) and using the informal "Ty" (demeaning when addressed to a stranger), the guard insists.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

When addressing one, he suggested saying "your age group" instead.

The New York Times

George Bush looks happiest when addressing crowds of pumped-up soldiers.

The Economist

When addressing the party faithful, a leader was addressing a real group, a significant group.

The Guardian

He recalls Baron weeping when addressing the team about the death of a janitor.

The New York Times - Sports

All of the relevant factors need to be acknowledged and considered when addressing what causes extremism.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when addressed" to clearly indicate a response or action that occurs specifically after someone is spoken to or contacted. For example, 'The witness only spoke when addressed directly by the judge'.

Common error

Avoid using "when addressed" when you actually mean "when addressing". "When addressed" implies the subject is receiving the action, not performing it. Ensure the context reflects this passive reception. For example, say 'When addressed, the dog barked' instead of 'When addressing the crowd, the speaker paused'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when addressed" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating the timing of an action in relation to someone being spoken to. It modifies the main clause by specifying when the action takes place. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when addressed" functions as an adverbial clause, providing critical temporal context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse fields like News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's crucial to distinguish its passive implication from the active "when addressing" to avoid potential misinterpretations. As such, understanding its usage, synonyms, and potential errors empowers writers to articulate responses and actions with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when spoken to

Similar meaning, but replaces 'addressed' with the more common phrase 'spoken to'.

upon being addressed

Replaces 'when' with 'upon being', slightly formalizing the tone.

on being spoken to

Emphasizes the action of speaking rather than the response.

if spoken to

Uses a more direct and conditional structure instead of a subordinate clause.

once addressed

Implies that the action happens after someone is addressed.

if someone addresses you

Transforms the phrase into a direct conditional statement.

when questioned

Focuses specifically on instances where a question is posed.

when called upon

Implies a more formal or official request to speak.

if queried

Uses a more concise and formal term for being asked a question.

if contacted

More general, referring to any form of communication, not just speaking.

FAQs

How do I use "when addressed" in a sentence?

Use "when addressed" to describe an action or response that occurs after someone is spoken to or contacted. For example: "The robot responded with a pre-programmed greeting when addressed." or "She became nervous when addressed by her manager."

What's the difference between "when addressed" and "when addressing"?

"When addressed" implies that the subject is on the receiving end of the action, such as being spoken to. "When addressing" indicates the subject is performing the action of speaking to someone. So, you can say "When "addressed", she replied politely" and "When "addressing" the audience, he felt confident".

Can I replace "when addressed" with "if spoken to"?

Yes, in many contexts, "if spoken to" can be a suitable alternative to "when addressed". However, "when addressed" emphasizes the timing of the response, while "if spoken to" introduces a conditional element. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example: "The program outputs a response "when addressed"" is similar to "The program outputs a response if spoken to".

Is "when addressed" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "when addressed" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a grammatically correct and clear way to indicate a response or action following communication. However, consider context and audience to ensure it suits the overall tone. You might also want to explore synonyms like "upon being addressed" for even more formal contexts.