when they are done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when they are done" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to suggest the completion of an action. For example: "Let's go for a walk when they are done with their chores."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And, when they are done, it's rendering time.

The New Yorker

Put them on a serving platter when they are done.

The New York Times

(When they are done with that, the Web site could use a bit of a revamp).

The New York Times

"Renovations, when they are done by other people," Ms. Bourne said, "don't always meet your standards".

The New York Times

Be happy with the leftovers they charitably chuck you when they are done.

Independent

Because we make physical objects, it's very easy to see when they are done and shipped.

The New York Times

When they are done, remove from the oven and allow to cool in the fat.

Independent

"In France, provocations by artists are sometimes seen well, when they are done with grace.

The New Yorker

When they are done, they will have six bedrooms plus a library.

The New York Times

When they are done and fairly cool, toss them with remaining ingredients.

The New York Times - Food

"I think it helps us since most of our kids aren't going to be playing basketball when they are done.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "when they are done", ensure that the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify "when the developers are done" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "when they are done" without a clear reference to who "they" are. This can confuse readers. Instead of saying, "When they are done, the result is delivered", specify, "When the tests are done, the result is delivered to the team".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they are done" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when an action or event occurs. Ludwig examples show it used to indicate a condition that must be met before something else can happen. It's grammatically correct and clearly understood, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when they are done" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate a time-based relationship between actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile across various contexts, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying to whom "they" refers. Alternatives such as "once they have finished" or "after they conclude" can be used for stylistic variation. This phrase serves as a temporal marker, clearly defining when a subsequent event can occur. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science, suggesting its wide applicability. It is also important to clearly define the subject of the phrase for better understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as soon as they are complete

Substitutes "done" with "complete" and introduces "as soon as" to emphasize immediacy after finishing.

once they have finished

Substitutes "done" with "finished" and uses "once" instead of "when" to convey a sense of completion.

once they've wrapped up

Replaces "finished" with the phrasal verb "wrapped up", implying a more casual, conclusive end.

upon their completion

Replaces the informal "when" with a more formal "upon" and uses the noun "completion" instead of "done".

after they conclude

Employs a more formal verb, "conclude", to replace "are done", suitable for more professional contexts.

at the end of their task

Rephrases the idea using "at the end" and specifies "task" to add context, implying a specific activity.

after the task is finalized

Shifts the focus to the "task" being "finalized" rather than the actors completing it.

following their accomplishment

Uses "following" as a preposition and replaces "done" with "accomplishment", creating a more formal tone.

subsequent to their finishing

Presents a more academic alternative, replacing "when" with "subsequent to" and using "finishing".

upon the termination of their work

Offers a very formal alternative using "termination" and specifies "work" to give more context.

FAQs

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

You can use "when they are done" to indicate the completion of an activity before another action takes place. For example, "When they are done eating, we will go to the park".

What are some alternatives to saying "when they are done"?

Alternatives include phrases like "once they have finished", "after they conclude", or "as soon as they are complete" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify who "they" refers to when using "when they are done"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who "they" refers to enhances clarity. Without context, readers might misunderstand. For example, instead of "when they are done, we'll leave", say "when the meeting is done, we'll leave".

What is the difference between "when they are done" and "after they are done"?

Both phrases indicate completion, but "when they are done" implies a more immediate transition to the next action, whereas "after they are done" is more general and can indicate a slightly longer delay.