when it was released

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when it was released" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something, usually a product or movie, became available in the past. For example: "The album was widely acclaimed when it was released in 2012."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Firefox had 10 million downloads in its first month when it was released late last year.

Forbes

Play caused controversy when it was released.

The Guardian - Film

I loved it when it was released and still do.

The New York Times - Arts

When it was released, the reviews tended not to flatter.

The New Yorker

(The members were teenagers when it was released).

The New York Times - Arts

When it was released in 1994, many critics savaged it.

The Guardian - Music

Blade Runner, notoriously, was completely misunderstood when it was released.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The single "i" sounded almost off-puttingly buoyant when it was released, a few months ago.

The New Yorker

I hadn't heard of The Escape of Sigmund Freud when it was released.

Stanford University

— when it was released in 1962.

The New York Times

It became an unofficial national anthem when it was released in 2001.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when it was released" to clearly indicate the specific time frame an event or product became available to the public. It helps establish a temporal context for your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "when it was released" if you're referring to something that was simply discovered or found, rather than formally launched or published. Use alternative phrasings like "when it was discovered" or "when it was found" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when it was released" functions as an adverbial clause of time, providing temporal context to the main clause. It specifies when an action or state occurred in relation to the release of something. Ludwig AI also confirms that this expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when it was released" serves as a common and grammatically sound adverbial clause, used to provide a temporal reference point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used in various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Wiki. While primarily neutral in register, its specific tone can be adjusted through the choice of surrounding vocabulary. Remember to use it when you want to clearly establish when something happened concerning the availability or publication of something. Alternatives include "upon its release" or "following its launch", providing similar meanings with slight variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon its release

Replaces "when" with "upon", emphasizing the moment of release.

at the time of its release

Specifies the period more explicitly, adding slight formality.

on its debut

Uses "debut" as a synonym for release, typically for a first appearance.

following its launch

Emphasizes the launch event, suitable for products or initiatives.

after its publication

Replaces "release" with "publication", apt for books or articles.

subsequent to its unveiling

More formal, using "unveiling" to denote a reveal or presentation.

once it became available

Focuses on availability rather than the act of releasing.

as soon as it was launched

Highlights the immediacy of the action following the release.

with its initial appearance

Describes the first time something is presented or shown.

in its opening stages

Describes the commencement phase of something, less direct than release.

FAQs

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

Use "when it was released" to specify the time context of an event or opinion, like "The software received mixed reviews "when it was released" last year".

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

Alternatives include "upon its release", "at the time of its release", or "following its launch", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "at its release" instead of "when it was released"?

While "at its release" is grammatically correct, "when it was released" provides a clearer temporal context, especially in complex sentences. "At its release" often implies immediacy or direct consequence.

What's the difference between "when it was released" and "after its release"?

"When it was released" focuses on the time of release itself, whereas "after its release" emphasizes the period following the release. For example, "When it was released, it was a hit" versus "After its release, sales skyrocketed".