when he got

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when he got" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific moment in the past when someone received or experienced something. Example: "When he got the news about his promotion, he couldn't believe his luck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For when he got married.

The New Yorker

When he got them back, he cried.

The New York Times - Magazine

I called him when he got out.

The New Yorker

When he got off, he just smiled".

The New Yorker

"It was tough when he got injured.

The New York Times - Sports

She wasn't there when he got in.

The New Yorker

When he got to N.Y.

The New Yorker

What would he say when he got home from work?

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Sparks was 11 when he got his first guitar.

The New York Times

"But when he got arrested, that really upset the kids".

The New York Times

When he got out she was still there.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "when he got", ensure the subsequent clause clearly explains the result or consequence of what he obtained. For example, "When he got the job, he celebrated with his family."

Common error

Avoid using "when he got" in situations where the focus should be on the action itself rather than the timing. For instance, instead of saying "When he got angry, he shouted", consider "He shouted because he was angry" to emphasize the anger as the cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when he got" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a dependent clause that specifies the time or circumstances under which the main clause action occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when he got" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to introduce a clause that provides temporal context to an event. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is perfectly acceptable and appears frequently in various sources. Its function is to establish a time frame, with the register being neutral and suitable for diverse writing styles. It's important to emphasize the clarity of the result of what was obtained in the main clause to maximize effectivity in the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after he had obtained

Specifies that the action happened after the subject obtained something. The phrasing is more explicit about the sequence.

as soon as he received

Emphasizes the immediacy following the act of receiving. The conjunction adds a sense of urgency or direct consequence.

once he acquired

Similar to "as soon as", indicating the action occurred after acquisition. Focuses on the completion of the acquisition.

at the point he obtained

Highlights the specific moment of obtaining something. It is more emphatic about the timing of the event.

upon his acquisition

Focuses on the moment of obtaining something, often in a formal context. It changes the structure to emphasize the act of acquiring.

the moment he secured

Highlights the act of making something certain or safe. "Secured" implies a deliberate effort to obtain.

the instant he procured

Implies a swiftness or efficiency in obtaining something, replacing "got" with a more formal and emphatic term.

when it was given to him

Focuses on the act of receiving as a gift or passively. It changes the focus from his action to an external action.

following his attainment

Refers to the achievement of gaining something, often after effort. It places more emphasis on accomplishment.

the day he picked up

Indicates a specific day of acquisition, possibly casual or informal in tone. "Picked up" suggests ease of obtaining.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when he got" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "upon his acquisition", "following his attainment", or "after he had obtained", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "when he gotten" instead of "when he got"?

No, "when he gotten" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past tense form of "get" is "got". Use "when he got" for past events.

What's the difference between "when he got" and "after he got"?

"When he got" implies that something happened at the same time or very soon after he received something. "After he got" ("after he got") emphasizes that there was a period of time between the getting and the subsequent event.

Can you provide an example sentence using "when he got"?

Here's an example: "When he got home, he immediately started working on his project."