when it was activated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when it was activated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific time or condition under which something was turned on or made operational. Example: "The device began to function normally when it was activated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

In contrast, the PKA-activated Cl− current was not sensitive to Ni2+, when it was activated downstream to the β-adrenoceptors using 10 μM forskolin (an adenylyl cyclase activator).

Cell Calcium

But they argue that when it was activated to pass payroll tax cuts and low-interest student loans, the pressure made a difference.

The New York Times

But in the February crash, he said, "the crew was not ready to respond to a stall warning when it was activated — it kind of caught them by surprise".

The New York Times

Images of the undeflected and deflected molecules were then recorded at a MCP detector when the decelerator was off, and when it was activated, respectively.

EPJ Techniques and Instrumentation

There is a fifth type of tab in the WHG Portlet that can be activated with the JSME 2D editor, which populates the portlet with the ChemSpider search results for whatever molecule was in the editor when it was activated.

Journal of Cheminformatics

It was already 21 years old when it was activated a few months before Pearl Harbor.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

So if you are to listen to when it's activated, again, brrrp, you hear that.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's a sodium channel and it has a different conformational state when it's activated.

Cornell University

"It tastes a little like candied lemon when it's activated," Catalano says.

The Guardian

Signal output from the module is sensitive to low-level input only when it is activated at the plasma membrane.

Current Biology

The Office of the Registrar sends all AB sophomores a link to this page when it is activated at the start of the major declaration period.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when it was activated" to clearly indicate the point in time at which something became functional or operational, providing context to the action or event that follows.

Common error

Avoid using "when it was activated by itself" as it's redundant. The passive voice already implies an external actor performed the activation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when it was activated" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when an event occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

35%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when it was activated" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used as an adverbial clause of time. It's commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts to specify the timing or conditions under which an event occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-understood and can be confidently used to clearly communicate temporal relationships. Remember to avoid redundant phrasing and use contextually appropriate alternatives for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon its activation

This alternative uses a prepositional phrase instead of a clause, making it more concise.

when activated

This is a shortened version of the original phrase, omitting "it was" for brevity.

once it was turned on

This replaces "activated" with a more common phrasal verb, simplifying the language.

after it was enabled

This uses "enabled" as a synonym for "activated", offering a slight variation in vocabulary.

at the time of its activation

This version emphasizes the specific timing of the activation.

following its initialization

This alternative uses a more technical term, "initialization", suitable for formal contexts.

as soon as it was triggered

This suggests that the activation was caused by an external event or condition.

subsequent to its being activated

This is a more formal and verbose way of saying "after it was activated".

with its activation

This is a more concise, prepositional phrase emphasizing the action of activation.

when it became operational

This replaces "activated" with "became operational", focusing on the result of the activation.

FAQs

How can I use "when it was activated" in a sentence?

Use "when it was activated" to specify the timing or condition under which something became functional or operational. For example: "The alarm sounded "when it was activated"."

What are some alternatives to "when it was activated"?

You can use alternatives such as "upon its activation", "when activated", or "once it was turned on" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "when it activated" instead of "when it was activated"?

While "when it activated" might be grammatically correct in some contexts, it typically requires that "it" is capable of self-activation. "When it was activated" is generally safer because it implies an external action.

What is the difference between "when it was activated" and "after it was activated"?

"When it was activated" implies that something happened simultaneously with the activation, while "after it was activated" indicates that something happened subsequently to the activation.