when he comes to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when he comes to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when there is an expectation of something happening in the near future, as in this example: "I'll make my decision when he comes to visit next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What happens when he comes to visit?

The Washington Post

Tellingly, Republicans save their fire when he comes to town.

The New York Times

Death, when he comes to fetch her, speaks his admiration.

The Guardian - Books

When he comes to get her, she glows.

The Guardian

When he comes to describe sex itself, it's even worse.

The Guardian - Music

He promises to bring her home when he comes to the city the next week.

The New Yorker

Averil and Dr. Brown have long conversations when he comes to check on her cast.

The New Yorker

When he comes to London, he'll arrange to meet in a museum, or a cathedral.

The New Yorker

One girl throws a gift from Tiffany back at her father when he comes to visit.

The New York Times - Books

Their fate will haunt Mr Bush when he comes to Miami to campaign.

The Economist

Even if he's a sportsman, when he comes to a country, he should respect its laws".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when he comes to" to clearly indicate a future event or condition that depends on someone's arrival or presence. This helps establish a clear timeline for your readers.

Common error

Avoid using "when he comes to" interchangeably with phrases that imply a different meaning, such as "if he comes to" (hypothetical) or "after he comes to" (sequential). Ensure the context genuinely requires a simple arrival-dependent scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when he comes to" functions primarily as an adverbial clause of time, indicating a point in the future when an action or event will occur. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show the phrase introducing circumstances contingent on someone's arrival or presence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when he comes to" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a future event that is contingent upon someone's arrival. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is applicable in various contexts, primarily within news and media, science, and formal business settings. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider context and audience to ensure the appropriate level of formality. For more formal situations, alternatives like "upon his arrival" might be preferable. Understanding its function and avoiding common errors, such as confusing it with hypothetical scenarios, will enhance clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when he gets to

A more informal and colloquial version, suitable for casual conversation.

when he arrives at

Specifically indicates the location of arrival, adding a detail about the destination.

the moment he reaches

Highlights the specific instant of reaching a destination or state.

after he has come to

Emphasizes the completion of his arrival before another event occurs.

upon his arrival

Focuses on the moment of arrival, often used in a more formal context.

once he is at

Implies a condition or state that begins after his arrival.

on his coming to

A slightly more archaic or formal way of saying 'when he comes to'.

subsequent to his arrival

A formal phrase indicating something happens after he arrives.

following his coming to

Similar to 'subsequent to', but slightly less formal.

as he approaches

Emphasizes the process of approaching, rather than the arrival itself.

FAQs

How can I use "when he comes to" in a sentence?

You can use "when he comes to" to describe an event that will happen upon someone's arrival. For example, "We'll have a party "when he comes to" town."

What is a more formal alternative to "when he comes to"?

A more formal alternative includes phrases like "upon his arrival at" or "subsequent to his arrival at". These are suitable for professional contexts where a more sophisticated tone is needed.

How does "when he comes to" differ from "if he comes to"?

"When he comes to" implies a higher degree of certainty or expectation of arrival, whereas "if he comes to" suggests a hypothetical situation. The choice depends on the level of certainty you want to convey.

Can I use "when he comes to" for abstract locations or situations?

Yes, you can use "when he comes to" not only for physical locations but also for abstract situations or states. For example, "We'll discuss the budget "when he comes to" a decision."