when they

USAGE SUMMARY

'when they' is a valid part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a previously mentioned group or individuals. For example: The students had to write an essay on the assigned topic, and when they were finished, they had to turn it in to the teacher.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When they….

The New Yorker

Or when they withdraw?

Independent

Except when they don't.

The New York Times

— when they were developed.

The New York Times - Tech

And when they do?

The New York Times

When they get better?

The New Yorker

When they practice again.

The New York Times - Sports

When they practice.

The New York Times - Sports

When they compete.

The New York Times - Sports

When they start crowning.

Independent

It's when they feel scared.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "when they", ensure the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a previously mentioned group to avoid ambiguity. This enhances clarity and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "when they" if it's not immediately clear who "they" refers to. Rephrase the sentence to specify the group or individuals to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that provides temporal or conditional information. It sets the context for the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

24%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

15%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when they" is a frequently used subordinating conjunction that creates temporal or conditional relationships within sentences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility across various registers. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase effectively sets the stage for subsequent actions or events. When employing "when they", ensure that the reference of "they" is unambiguous to maintain clarity. Alternative phrases such as "as soon as they" or "once they" can provide similar meaning with subtle variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as soon as they

Emphasizes immediacy, making the action contingent on the moment they do something.

once they

Indicates completion before the next action, providing a sense of sequence.

the moment they

Similar to "as soon as they", but with a stronger sense of simultaneity.

after they

Specifies that the action happens subsequent to their action, emphasizing a clear order.

while they

Implies the actions happen at the same time, running parallel to each other.

upon their

Replaces "when" with "upon", changing the temporal emphasis and often implying a more immediate reaction.

if they

Introduces a conditional clause, focusing on the possibility of the action occurring.

should they

Implies a more formal or hypothetical scenario, often used in writing.

during their

Changes the structure to use a possessive pronoun, indicating the event happens within a period.

in the event that they

Adds formality and stresses the possibility of something happening.

FAQs

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

"When they" is used to introduce a clause that specifies a time or condition. For example, "The flowers bloom when they receive enough sunlight."

What can I say instead of "when they"?

You can use alternatives like "as soon as they", "once they", or "if they" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "when they" or "where they"?

The correct phrase depends on the context. Use "when they" for temporal relationships and "where they" for locational relationships. For example, "When they arrive, we will start the meeting" versus "We will meet where they are staying".

What's the difference between "when they" and "while they"?

"When they" indicates a specific point in time or a condition, whereas "while they" implies that two actions are happening simultaneously. For example, "When they called, I was busy" versus "While they were eating, I read a book".