when there are

USAGE SUMMARY

"when there are" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are indicating conditions, usually when conditions exist out of a set of possibilities. Example: When there are more volunteers, we can run more activities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Especially when there are storms.

The New York Times - Books

Being naughty when there are strangers around.

The New York Times - Arts

Innovation happens when there are no guarantees".

The New Yorker

"When there are downturns, I'm very pleased.

The New York Times

When there are tears, they are warranted.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

— when there are no classes or labs.

The New York Times - Sports

"It won't when there are students here," Mr. Travis replied.

The New York Times

Why, when there are multiple superhero films coming out?

Independent

"It's different when there are smiles on the way in".

The New York Times - Arts

When there are competing claims, the bank takes precedence.

The New York Times

"There'll be a time when there are just old people.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by specifying what 'there' refers to. Avoid ambiguity by making the subject of existence clear within the context.

Common error

A common mistake is using "when there are" without clearly indicating what 'there' refers to. This can lead to confusion. Always ensure the subject of existence is explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when there are" functions as an adverbial clause of time, introducing a condition or situation that must exist for the main clause to be true. It indicates that the event in the main clause occurs only under the specified conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when there are" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to establish conditions based on the existence of multiple items or situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and adaptable phrase for various writing styles. Predominantly found in News & Media, and Science, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts. To ensure clarity, always define what 'there' refers to. For alternatives, consider "if there are" or "in cases where there are" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if there are

Changes the temporal condition to a more general conditional statement.

in cases where there are

Adds emphasis on specific instances or situations.

should there be

Introduces a more formal and hypothetical tone.

provided that there are

Specifies a necessary condition for something to occur.

given that there are

Indicates that something is already known or assumed.

assuming there are

Expresses a supposition or hypothesis.

on occasions when there are

Highlights specific instances or events.

during periods when there are

Focuses on a specific timeframe or duration.

at times when there are

Emphasizes the intermittent nature of the condition.

whenever there are

Indicates that the condition applies universally.

FAQs

How can I use "when there are" in a sentence?

"When there are" is used to introduce a condition that depends on the existence of something. For example, "When there are no clouds, the stars are visible".

What can I say instead of "when there are"?

You can use alternatives like "if there are", "in cases where there are", or "provided that there are", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "when there are" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "when there are". It introduces a conditional clause. For example, "When there are issues, we address them promptly".

What's the difference between "when there is" and "when there are"?

"When there is" is used with singular nouns or uncountable nouns (e.g., "When there is a problem"). "When there are" is used with plural nouns (e.g., "When there are problems").