when it was published

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when it was published" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the time or date something was made public or released, typically in the context of books, articles, or research. Example: "The study provided valuable insights into climate change, especially when it was published in 2020."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When it was published, politically themed works were limited to smaller publishers.

Wikipedia

(De Castellane was six when it was published).

The New Yorker

It was poorly received when it was published (H.

The New Yorker

When it was published, Collins was already 41.

The New York Times

Many critics hailed The Sea when it was published.

The Guardian

When it was published, Alex Comfort was 18.

The Guardian - Books

Walker Evans reviewed "The Decisive Moment" when it was published.

The New York Times - Arts

It received widespread attention when it was published last November.

The New York Times

Virtually no one took "Lives" seriously when it was published.

The New York Times - Arts

It caused a storm when it was published in 1970.

The Guardian

The book won the prestigious Prix Médicis in 2011 when it was published in French.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Make sure that the subject and tense match the context.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "when it was published" with similar phrases like "if it was published", which introduces a conditional aspect rather than a temporal one. The former is used to specify a time, the latter to present a hypothetical situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when it was published" functions as an adverbial clause of time, specifying the temporal context in which an event occurred relative to the publication of a particular work. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, adding clarity by grounding events in a specific timeframe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when it was published" is a versatile adverbial clause used to provide a temporal anchor, situating events in relation to the publication of a work. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, from formal academic papers to informal news articles. This phrase is especially useful in establishing context and understanding the sequence of events. The prevalence of "when it was published" across diverse sources underscores its importance in clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon its publication

Emphasizes the event of publication as the point of reference.

at the time of release

Focuses on the moment something becomes available.

on its release date

Specifies the exact date of publication or release.

at the time of its appearance

Highlights when something became visible or known.

once it was available

Indicates the period after something could be accessed.

following its debut

Emphasizes the initial presentation or launch of something.

after its initial release

Highlights the period after the first release.

post-publication

A more concise, formal way to refer to the time after publication.

subsequent to its publication

A formal alternative indicating a later time frame.

with its publication

Indicates something happening simultaneously with the act of publishing.

FAQs

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

You can use "when it was published" to provide context about the time a work became available. For instance, "The book was controversial "when it was published"" indicates the timing of the controversy.

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

Alternatives include phrases like "upon its release", "at the time of publication", or "following its debut". Each emphasizes the temporal aspect of the publication event in slightly different ways.

Is there a difference between "when it was published" and "after it was published"?

"When it was published" pinpoints the moment of publication, while "after it was published" refers to the period following the publication date. The former is more specific, while the latter allows for a broader time frame.

Can "when it was published" refer to online content as well?

Yes, "when it was published" can be used for any form of published material, including online articles, blog posts, and digital books. It simply denotes the point in time when the content became publicly accessible.