when class begins

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when class begins" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the specific time or moment that a class is scheduled to start. Example: "Please make sure to arrive early when class begins to find a good seat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When class begins, pair students and give each pair one of the scenarios.

The New York Times

When class begins, students take out their pictures and respond to the following prompt, written on the board prior to class: "Explain what you find attractive about these celebrities.

The New York Times

When class begins, clear your mind of everything, except what you are making your body do.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When class began, Shipsey explained to his students that because he was deaf, he'd like students to write down their questions.

Science Magazine

When classes began, his mother had recently been captured by the rebels.

The New Yorker

About 100 students returned Sunday, when classes began, to a school where there were once 50 students in each classroom.

The New York Times

When classes began a week later, she learned otherwise; they were in the same music theory and listening skills classes, and in the orchestra together.

The New York Times

Receiver Kyle Prater, from Hillside, Ill., who had planned to enroll Monday when classes began, opened up his recruitment when Carroll left.

The New York Times - Sports

The first day of September, often referred to as The Day of Knowledge, is the day when classes begin in schools across the country.

The New York Times

Adding to the inconvenience, when classes begin next Wednesday many professors are expected to move their classes off campus to honor the picket line.

The New York Times

While the library is expected to reopen to employees tomorrow, it remained unclear whether students would be allowed inside on Wednesday, when classes begin.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when class begins" to clearly indicate a specific time or condition related to the start of a class session. For example, "Announcements will be made "when class begins"."

Common error

Avoid using "when class begins" if the context doesn't clearly relate to an educational setting or scheduled lesson. It can be confusing if used in unrelated situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when class begins" functions as an adverbial clause, specifically a subordinate clause of time. This type of clause modifies the main clause by indicating when the action in the main clause occurs. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when class begins" functions as a time-related adverbial clause, setting a condition or trigger point related to the commencement of a class. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in English. It is commonly used in educational, news, and general writing contexts. Alternatives like "at the beginning of class" or "as class starts" can be used to express similar ideas. Remember to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that the context clearly relates to an educational setting. While the expression enjoys general acceptance across multiple sources, the user should always consider alternative expressions depending on formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the beginning of class

Focuses on the specific point in time class starts, emphasizing the commencement.

as class starts

Highlights the action of class starting and what happens concurrently.

upon commencement of class

A more formal way to refer to the class start.

once class has begun

Emphasizes the state of class having already started.

at the start of the lesson

Replaces "class" with "lesson", offering a subtle variation in terminology.

when the lecture begins

Substitutes "class" with "lecture", focusing on a more formal setting.

as the session commences

Uses more formal terms "session" and "commences".

when the course starts

Replaces "class" with "course", suggesting a more extended period of study.

from the start of class

Emphasizes duration beginning with the start of class.

once the class is underway

Focuses on the class being already in progress.

FAQs

How can I use "when class begins" in a sentence?

You can use "when class begins" to specify a time or condition related to the start of a class. For example, "Please be seated "when class begins"".

What are some alternatives to "when class begins"?

Alternatives include "at the beginning of class", "as class starts", or "upon commencement of class", depending on the context and desired formality.

Is it correct to say "when class begin" instead of "when class begins"?

No, "when class begin" is grammatically incorrect. The verb should agree with the singular noun "class", so the correct form is "when class begins".

What's the difference between "when class begins" and "after class begins"?

"When class begins" refers to something happening at the exact moment the class starts, while "after class begins" refers to something happening sometime after the class has already started.