when obtainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when obtainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will be provided or done as soon as it becomes available. Example: "We will send you the report when obtainable, so you can review the latest findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We used unamplified mRNA to make probe for microarray experiments, as, when obtainable, unamplified material provides the least bias for transcriptome analysis.

Plosone

The number of axillary lymph nodes examined was recorded when obtainable from patient records.

British Journal of Cancer

Nosocomial pneumonia was defined by traditional criteria as a new or progressive pulmonary infiltrate detected on routine chest radiographs or computed tomography with a temperature higher than 38.5°C, blood leucocyte count of more than 12 × 10/L, and when obtainable tracheal secretions, bronchial washings or blood cultures were consistent with a likely pathogen [ 14, 15].

Critical Care

As parents are often the primary reporters of symptoms and are the main decision-makers on behalf of their child, their evaluation of QoL is clinically relevant, when used in a complementary manner to child self-report when obtainable (Matza et al, 2004; Pickard et al, 2004; Eiser and Jenney, 2007).

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Our findings demonstrate the difference between manufacturer quoted accuracy (0.01 mm) to that practically obtainable when the pointer was placed in a known position.

Measurement

However, river otters, as foragers, will immediately take advantage of other prey when readily obtainable.

Wikipedia

The phenomenon can be explained by prospect theory's idea that subjects value gains and losses relative to a reference point like the purchase price (PP), and that they are risk-seeking in the domain of possible losses and risk-averse when a certain gain is obtainable.

Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money

While LHDs obtained data from a number of sources in order to monitor the H1N1 pandemic, there were instances in many organizations when not all of the desired data were obtainable.

BMC Public Health

When the current is amplified electronically, high magnification is obtainable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When planning meals, choose dishes with ingredients that are easily obtainable.

WikiHow

There's a certain energy that can be felt when you first see someone you are attracted to in person that will never be obtainable through a screen.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when obtainable" to clearly indicate that something will be provided or considered only if it becomes available, avoiding assumptions of guaranteed access.

Common error

Avoid using "when obtainable" if there's a high likelihood the item or information will not be available. In such cases, consider alternative plans or explicitly state the uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when obtainable" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, specifying the condition under which an action will occur. It indicates that something will happen contingent on the availability of a particular resource or piece of information. Ludwig's examples show this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when obtainable" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express conditionality, specifying that something will occur only if it can be obtained. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's most frequently encountered in scientific and formal writing, though it's understandable in general contexts. While less common than alternatives like "when available", it adds a nuance of active acquisition. When using "when obtainable", be mindful of potentially overpromising, and ensure that there is a reasonable possibility of obtaining the item or information in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when available

Focuses on general availability, without the implication of needing to actively obtain it.

if obtainable

Emphasizes the conditionality of being able to obtain something.

when accessible

Highlights the ease of access rather than the act of obtaining.

as obtainable

Indicates the manner in which something can be obtained.

if accessible

Similar to "if obtainable" but focuses on accessibility.

where obtainable

Focuses on the location or source from which something can be obtained.

as soon as it can be obtained

A more verbose version that emphasizes the timing and the process of obtaining.

when it is possible to get

Explains the condition in simpler terms.

subject to availability

A common phrase in business contexts, focusing on the condition of something being available.

depending on what can be obtained

Highlights the dependence on what is available.

FAQs

How can I use "when obtainable" in a sentence?

You can use "when obtainable" to indicate that something will be provided or done only if it becomes available. For example, "We will send you the report "when obtainable"."

What's a good alternative to "when obtainable"?

Alternatives include "when available", or "as soon as possible", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "when obtainable" or "when available"?

"When obtainable" can sound slightly more formal, implying a process of actively acquiring something. "When available" is generally more neutral and widely applicable.

How does "when obtainable" differ from "if obtainable"?

"When obtainable" suggests a situation where something is expected to become available at some point. "If obtainable" emphasizes the uncertainty of whether it will be available at all.