when they arrive

USAGE SUMMARY

"when they arrive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "when they arrive" after mentioning who "they" are, for example: "My friends will visit next week, and I'm excited to spend time with them when they arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They call each other when they arrive.

The New York Times

And when they arrive, they often thrive.

The Economist

When they arrive, he is still uneasy.

The New Yorker

When they arrive, they can't talk.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They look very funny when they arrive.

The Guardian - Film

Few speak English when they arrive.

The New York Times

In what psychological state are patients when they arrive?

Independent

It's the same when they arrive at security".

Independent

When they arrive, Reynard sinks his teeth into Cuwaert's throat.

The New Yorker

When they arrive, the eggs will be waiting.

The New York Times

When they arrive at Kennedy airport, friends greet them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject to which "they" refers is clearly defined in the preceding context to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the delegates" before using "when they arrive".

Common error

Avoid using "when they arrive" without clearly establishing who "they" are. This can confuse readers and weaken your writing. Always provide a clear antecedent for pronouns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they arrive" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying a main clause to specify when an event occurs. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various sentence structures, providing a temporal context to the action described in the main clause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when they arrive" functions as an adverbial clause indicating the timing of an event, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and common, particularly in news, scientific, and wiki content. When writing, it is important to ensure the pronoun "they" has a clear antecedent. Alternative phrases include "upon their arrival" or "as soon as they get there", depending on the desired level of formality or emphasis. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate the phrase's versatility and widespread use in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon their arrival

Formally indicates the moment of arrival.

as soon as they get there

Emphasizes immediacy after arrival.

after their arrival

Focuses on the period following arrival.

on their reaching the destination

More formal and specific about reaching a destination.

when they show up

More informal way to say they arrive.

at the time of their arrival

Emphasizes a specific point in time.

once they are present

Focuses on their presence after arriving.

subsequent to their coming

A more stilted and formal way to say after they arrive.

following their entrance

Highlights the act of entering a place.

as they make their appearance

Focuses on the act of becoming visible or present.

FAQs

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

Use "when they arrive" to describe an action or state that occurs at the time of someone's arrival. For example: "The driver calls "when they arrive"."

What are some alternatives to using "when they arrive"?

You can use alternatives such as "upon their arrival", "as soon as they get there", or "after their arrival" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "when they arrive" or "when they arrived"?

The choice between "when they arrive" and "when they arrived" depends on the tense and context of your sentence. "When they arrive" is used for future or habitual actions, while "when they arrived" is used for past actions.

What's the difference between "when they arrive" and "if they arrive"?

"When they arrive" implies a greater certainty of arrival, while "if they arrive" suggests that their arrival is conditional or uncertain. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to express.