when that happened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when that happened" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to an event that has already happened or is about to happen. For example: I still remember the moment when that happened - the moment when I found out I had been accepted into university.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And when that happened it was just Daddy and me.

The New Yorker

Remember when that happened?

Independent

Who did you tell when that happened?

The New York Times

When that happened, he had a realization.

The New York Times - Sports

I was nine when that happened.

The New York Times

Q. Do you remember when that happened?

The New York Times

But he doesn't remember when that happened.

The New York Times

When that happened I was disappointed.

The Guardian - Sport

(He was eleven when that happened).

The New Yorker

When that happened, they dropped and exploded.

The Guardian

When that happened, better offense followed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when that happened" to clearly link a past event with its consequences or related actions, ensuring a smooth flow in your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "when that happened" without clearly establishing what "that" refers to. Ensure the context makes the event immediately obvious to the reader to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when that happened" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when the action or state described in the main clause took place. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and common construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when that happened" is a versatile phrase used to connect a prior event with a subsequent action or state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, sports, and lifestyle contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "once that happened" or "after that occurred" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when it occurred

More formal and precise, suitable for academic or technical contexts.

once that happened

Emphasizes the condition being met before a subsequent action.

as soon as that happened

Highlights the promptness of the reaction or subsequent event.

after it took place

Simple and direct rephrasing, emphasizing the completion of the event.

following that occurrence

Similar to 'subsequent to', but slightly less formal.

subsequent to that event

Highlights the sequence of events, indicating what followed.

at the time of that event

Focuses on the specific moment when the event took place.

at that instant

Emphasizes the immediate reaction to the triggering event.

upon that occurrence

Formal alternative that emphasizes the immediacy of the event's consequence.

the moment that transpired

Adds a touch of formality and emphasizes the significance of the moment.

FAQs

How can I use "when that happened" in a sentence?

Use "when that happened" to connect an event with its result or your reaction. For example, "The power went out, and "when that happened", I lit some candles."

What are some alternatives to "when that happened"?

Alternatives include "once that happened", "after that occurred", or "subsequent to that". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "when it happened" instead of "when that happened"?

Yes, "when it happened" is perfectly acceptable and often more concise. "When that happened" is useful when you want to specifically refer back to a previously mentioned event, providing added emphasis.

Can "when that happened" be used in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "upon that occurrence" or "subsequent to that event" in highly formal contexts such as academic papers or legal documents.