when he exits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when he exits" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate a specific time or condition related to someone's departure. Example: "The meeting will conclude when he exits the room." Alternative expressions include "when he leaves" and "upon his exit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

When he exits, Elizabeth weeps.

Independent

One man goes in and when he exits after 20 minutes, his friend asks if he got his money.

The New York Times

WHEN he exits New York's City Hall after three terms as mayor in 2013, Michael Bloomberg will leave behind an impressive legacy.

The Economist

Channel 4, which launched Ross's career with The Last Resort in 1987, was seen as a natural next stop for the presenter when he exits the BBC.

The Guardian

When he exits for a costume change, Barratt and the band play a swinging jazz version of the punk anthem - scatological scat.

The Guardian - Music

When Marlowe discovers that one of Wocop's henchmen has gotten to Harley and subjected him to unspeakable acts, he goes on the lam, if only to take some of the bad guys with him when he exits the stage.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

He played dead briefly, but was shot again in the back when he exited the building.

The Guardian

When he exited the bedroom, Ron was on the phone with Jasper at the hospital.

The New Yorker

When he re-emerges on the political stage, he will be the same as when he exited it.

The New York Times

He saw a plane hit when he exited the subway and had run from the Canal Street station.

The New York Times

The Yankees, already short-handed, lost Marcus Thames when he exited in the sixth inning with a sprained left ankle.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context; while "when he exits" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "upon his departure" may be more appropriate in professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "when he exits" in highly formal or academic writing. Alternatives such as "upon his departure" are better suited for those contexts. If the context is a novel, a simple alternative may fit better: 'when he leaves'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when he exits" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when an action occurs. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where it introduces events that happen following someone's departure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when he exits" is a correct and commonly used phrase that functions as an adverbial clause of time, typically found in news and media contexts. It serves to establish a temporal relationship between someone's departure and another event. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like "upon his departure" for academic or professional settings. According to Ludwig, its usage is quite versatile, and related phrases can offer nuanced ways to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as he leaves

More direct and simple way to express the same idea.

when he departs

A more formal synonym for 'exits'.

the moment he exits

Highlights the immediacy of the action.

upon his departure

Formal alternative, emphasizing the act of leaving.

following his exit

Formal way to indicate sequence after departure.

as soon as he leaves

Emphasizes the promptness of the action following the exit.

at the time of his exit

Highlights the specific moment of leaving.

upon leaving

A concise and formal alternative.

on his way out

Focuses on the action of leaving a place.

after he steps out

Emphasizes the physical action of leaving.

FAQs

How can I use "when he exits" in a sentence?

You can use "when he exits" to describe an event that happens immediately after someone leaves a place. For example, "The discussion will begin "when he exits" the room."

What are some alternatives to "when he exits"?

Some alternatives include "as he leaves", "upon his departure", or "the moment he exits". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "when he exits" formal or informal?

"When he exits" is generally considered neutral in tone. More formal options include "upon his departure" or "following his exit", while simpler alternatives, such as "as he leaves", exist for informal settings.

What is the difference between "when he exits" and "when he leaves"?

The difference between "when he exits" and "when he leaves" is minimal. "Exits" implies a more specific action of leaving a defined space, while "leaves" is more general. In most cases, they are interchangeable.