when he killed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when he killed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing events or actions related to a killing, often in narratives or historical accounts. Example: "The investigation began when he killed the notorious criminal in self-defense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

1978 is when he killed this woman.

The Economist

"He was in Beijing with Chen when he killed himself.

The New Yorker

He left this painting unfinished when he killed himself.

The Guardian - Arts

Thomas Hardy cried when he killed off Tess.

The Guardian - Books

He said he was insane when he killed his wife.

The New York Times - Arts

Burr was vice president when he killed Hamilton, the former treasury secretary.

The New York Times

They went hunting and when he killed a deer, she screamed.

The New Yorker

Which was why, when he killed himself a year later, it made everything so difficult.

The New York Times - Magazine

"How'd he bungle it when he killed himself?" I said again.

The New Yorker

Aaron Burr was the sitting vice president when he killed Alexander Hamilton.

The New York Times

Now, in Pasteur's experiments, when he killed anthrax in animals, he got 25 right out of 25.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when he killed" to clearly establish a chronological relationship between events, providing a specific timeframe for actions and consequences in narratives or historical accounts.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly identifies who "he" refers to, especially when multiple male figures are present in the narrative, to prevent confusion and maintain clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when he killed" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying a main clause by specifying when an action occurred. This is supported by Ludwig which indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when he killed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial clause that establishes a temporal relationship between the act of killing and another event. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts. Predominantly found in "news & media" and academic sources, it serves to provide chronological context and clarity. When using the phrase, it is important to ensure that the reference to "he" is unambiguous. Alternatives include phrases like "upon his killing" or "at the time of his killing" for a more formal tone. The consistent use and high source quality contribute to its strong expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while committing the killing

Highlights the action of killing as it occurs.

when he carried out the killing

Highlights planning and execution of a premeditated act

at the time of his killing

More descriptive, specifying the point in time.

in the course of the killing

Focuses on the process and circumstances of the event.

upon his killing

Formal alternative emphasizing the moment of the act.

as he perpetrated the killing

Emphasizes the perpetrator's role and the execution of the act.

the moment he committed the murder

More explicit, specifying the crime as murder.

the instant he murdered

Focuses on a specific point in time when murder happened.

the day he took his victim's life

Emphasizes the victim and the finality of the action.

during the act of homicide

Formal and clinical, focusing on the act itself.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "upon his killing" or "at the time of his killing". These alternatives offer a more detached and objective perspective.

What are some alternatives to "when he killed" that emphasize the victim?

To emphasize the victim, you could say "the day he took his victim's life" or "the moment he committed the murder". These options highlight the impact on the victim.

Is it correct to use "when he killed" in legal or official documents?

Yes, "when he killed" is grammatically correct, but in legal or official documents, it might be more appropriate to use precise legal terms such as "during the act of homicide" or consider stating the specific charge, like "when he committed murder".

How does "when he killed" differ from "after he killed"?

"When he killed" specifies the moment the act occurred, while "after he killed" /s/after+he+killed indicates a period following the act. The first focuses on the event itself, and the second on subsequent events.