when it was recorded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when it was recorded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the specific time or context in which something was documented or captured, often in relation to audio, video, or data. Example: "The song has a unique sound that reflects the era when it was recorded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"And he showed how the establishment has used music for thousands of years to support its way of thinking". When it was recorded in Ireland by Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem in 1976, the song became the first of three chart-topping hits for Mr. Bogle there.

The New York Times - Arts

Springsteen was 16 when it was recorded.

The Guardian - Music

"They don't care when it was recorded".

The New York Times

Mr. South's best-known song became a hit when it was recorded by someone else.

The New York Times - Arts

"It sounds better than when it was recorded in the room," Mr. Werdyger said.

The New York Times

One song on the album, Holy Incense, is credited as the "Tibet version", but Dingding says she had not even been there when it was recorded.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The live lecture also serves other pedagogical ends that are lost when it is recorded.

Princeton University

Emmanuele Pereira — drawn just after Ricci's death when, it is recorded, those present "got on their knees, imploring [You] to make a likeness of [Ricci] that would be true to nature".

The New York Times - Arts

In fact, its origins date at least as far back as the 19th century, when it is recorded in a threat made by disgruntled German villagers against an English angler who was depleting the stocks of their trout streams.

The Guardian

What about when it's recorded outside of the home?

TechCrunch

By 1878 (when it is recorded as being repaired) the company also owned a passenger carriage divided into a third-class compartment, a second-class compartment and a luggage compartment.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "when it was recorded", ensure that the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "when it is recorded" when referring to a past event. The correct tense is "when it was recorded" to indicate that the recording has already taken place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when it was recorded" functions as an adverbial clause modifying a verb in the main clause, indicating the specific time an action occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when it was recorded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial clause that serves to specify the time a recording occurred. As Ludwig AI indicates, its versatility extends across various registers, predominantly appearing in News & Media, Wiki and Scientific contexts. While primarily used to provide temporal context, careful attention should be given to ensure clarity by explicitly defining what "it" refers to, and avoid using incorrect tenses such as "when it is recorded" to refer to past events. Alternative phrases include "at the time of recording" or "during the recording session".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the time of recording

Focuses on the specific act of recording, emphasizing the moment.

during the recording session

Highlights the session itself, rather than a specific point in time.

upon its recording

A more formal way to indicate the time of recording.

the recording date

Simplifies the phrase to the date on which the recording took place.

the time of its recording

Specifies the 'time' as the focal point.

date of the recording

Similar to 'the recording date' but with a slightly different word order.

when the recording happened

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

the period it was recorded in

Focuses on the broader time period during which the recording occurred.

its original recording date

Emphasizes the 'original' nature of the recording's date.

in the recording's timeline

Places the event within the context of the recording's creation process.

FAQs

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

Use "when it was recorded" to specify the time or circumstances surrounding a particular recording. For example, "The quality of the audio is remarkable, considering when it was recorded."

What can I say instead of "when it was recorded"?

You can use alternatives like "at the time of recording", "during the recording session", or "upon its recording" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "when it is recorded" instead of "when it was recorded"?

No, "when it is recorded" implies a future or habitual action, whereas "when it was recorded" refers to a past event. Use "when it was recorded" when discussing something that has already been recorded.

What's the difference between "when it was recorded" and "where it was recorded"?

"When it was recorded" refers to the time of the recording, while "where it was recorded" refers to the location of the recording. For instance, "The song's historical significance depends on when it was recorded," versus "The acoustics are unique because of where it was recorded."