when it arrives

USAGE SUMMARY

"when it arrives" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when speaking about something that is in transit/on the way. For example: "I'm looking forward to my new laptop arriving - I should receive it when it arrives next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And its impact when it arrives will be huge.

The Economist

what happens when it arrives?

The New York Times - Arts

Read the survey when it arrives.

The Guardian - Money

Resolution, when it arrives, is swift, brutal and unexpected.

The New York Times - Books

And when it arrives, the water is often not drinkable.

The New York Times

Until Sunday night, when it arrives bearing $150 million.

The New York Times

I WILL send you a letter when it arrives".

The New York Times - Travel

When it arrives, she's disdainful of the white wine.

The New York Times - Magazine

Recovery, when it arrives, is predicted to be modest.

The New York Times

When it arrives, they regard it with magisterial awe.

The New Yorker

When it arrives he passes it around to his friends.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when it arrives" to clearly indicate a point in time contingent on something's arrival. Ensure the sentence structure makes it clear what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining what "it" refers to. If the subject is unclear, rewrite the sentence for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when it arrives" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause of a sentence. It specifies the timing of an event in relation to the arrival of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when it arrives" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that functions as an adverbial clause of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and general writing. While formal alternatives like "upon its arrival" exist, "when it arrives" offers a clear and simple way to indicate a future point in time contingent on an arrival. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by clearly defining what "it" refers to, and you'll be well-equipped to use this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as it arrives

This alternative is a more direct and slightly more emphatic way of saying "when it arrives".

upon its arrival

This alternative uses a more formal tone by employing "upon" and replacing the verb "arrives" with the noun "arrival".

following its arrival

This is a more formal way of saying "when it arrives", using a participial phrase.

at its arrival

This alternative substitutes "when" with "at" and uses the noun form "arrival", resulting in a slightly more concise expression.

the moment it gets here

This alternative emphasizes the immediacy of the event occurring upon arrival.

as soon as it gets here

This alternative uses more informal language, replacing "arrives" with the phrasal verb "gets here".

when it is delivered

This alternative is more specific, suggesting that something is being delivered.

once it's here

This alternative is a more concise and informal way of expressing the same idea.

on its coming

This alternative is somewhat archaic and emphasizes the act of coming rather than the arrival itself.

subsequent to its reaching

This is a more formal and elaborate way of saying "when it arrives", suitable for technical or legal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "when it arrives" in a sentence?

Use "when it arrives" to describe an action or event that will occur at the time something is delivered or appears. For example, "Read the survey "when it arrives"."

What are some alternatives to "when it arrives"?

Alternatives include "upon its arrival", "as soon as it gets here", or "once it's here".

Is "when it arrives" formal or informal?

"When it arrives" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "upon its arrival" exist for professional writing.

What's the difference between "when it arrives" and "after it arrives"?

"When it arrives" implies immediacy and the moment of arrival, while "after it arrives" ("after it arrives") suggests a period of time following the arrival.