when he was at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when he was at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time in the past when someone was present at a particular place or event. Example: "When he was at the conference last year, he made several important connections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pearl Washington when he was at Syracuse.

The New York Times - Sports

"It has happened when he was at his peak.

The New York Times

I wasn't here when he was at university.

Independent

His father died when he was at college.

The New Yorker

His parents divorced when he was at school.

Independent

"He was Igor Peschkowsky when he was at Dalton.

The New Yorker

"Everybody was against us when he was at Spurs.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Johnson admitted that he was when he was at Miami.

The New York Times - Sports

Friday, when he was at his father's apartment in Norwich.

The New York Times

He'd game when he was at my house too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fincham negotiated the contract when he was at BBC1.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "when he was at", ensure the context makes it clear who "he" refers to and which place or organization is being referenced, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "when he was at" if the timeframe is vague or unspecified. Always provide sufficient context to make the period of association clear. For example, instead of just saying "when he was at school", specify "when he was at primary school" or "when he was at university".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when he was at" functions as an adverbial clause, providing a temporal context to the main clause. It specifies the time period during which a person was associated with a particular location or institution, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

13%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when he was at" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to provide temporal context by specifying a past association with a location or institution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used across various sources. This phrase is particularly common in news and media, as well as academic contexts, but maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. To enhance clarity, it's important to provide specific details about the timeframe and reference to avoid ambiguity. While there are several alternatives to convey similar meanings, the choice depends on the specific context and emphasis you wish to convey. For example, to emphasize duration you can use during his time at.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during his time at

Emphasizes the duration of his association with the place or organization.

while he was with

Highlights his affiliation with a group or company.

during his tenure at

Implies a formal or official position held at the place.

in his days at

Refers to a more nostalgic or past period.

when he belonged to

Focuses on membership or belonging to a group or organization.

when he worked at

Specifically refers to his employment or work at a place.

during his employment at

More formal version of "when he worked at".

during his stay in

Focuses on physical presence and temporary residence in a location.

while stationed at

Implies assignment or duty at a specific location, often military.

in his period with

Highlights a specific period of his association.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when he was at" to emphasize duration?

To emphasize duration, consider using phrases like "during his time at" or "throughout his tenure at", which highlight the period he spent at a particular place.

What alternatives are there for "when he was at" to indicate employment?

If you want to specifically indicate employment, you can use "when he worked at" or "during his employment at", which clearly refers to his work relationship with the organization.

Is "when he was at" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "when he was at" is generally suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, for very formal contexts, you might prefer "during his tenure at" if it implies an official position.

How does "when he was at" compare to "while he was with"?

"When he was at" is used for places, while "while he was with" is more appropriate for organizations or groups. For example, "when he was at the university" versus "while he was with the team".