when they arrived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when they arrived" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific time or event related to the arrival of a group of people. Example: "The party started shortly after when they arrived, and everyone was excited to see them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

When they arrived, it was cold.

The New Yorker

A bishop was there when they arrived.

The New York Times

He was gone when they arrived.

The New York Times

When they arrived, DataWind executives were shocked.

The New York Times

He felt safer when they arrived.

The New Yorker

When they arrived he was gone.

The New York Times

When they arrived, the second bomb detonated.

The New York Times

Paramedics declared him dead when they arrived.

The New York Times

They were welcome when they arrived.

The New Yorker

When they arrived, 17 were immediately shot.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"My travelling companions applauded [when they arrived].

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “when they arrived” to clearly establish a chronological sequence in your writing. It helps the reader understand the timing of events in relation to the arrival of a specific group.

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs with the plural subject “they”. A common mistake is writing 'when they arrives' instead of the correct form, “when they arrived”.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they arrived" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when the action in the main clause occurred. Ludwig examples showcase its role in setting a temporal context for subsequent events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when they arrived" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce a time clause, setting the stage for events that occurred upon someone's arrival. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives such as "upon their arrival" offer a more formal tone, "when they arrived" remains a versatile and clear choice for establishing chronology. The Ludwig AI response confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon their arrival

Replaces the "when" clause with a prepositional phrase, offering a more formal tone.

at the time of their arrival

Emphasizes the specific moment of arrival, adding a bit more detail.

as soon as they got there

Indicates immediacy following the arrival.

on reaching their destination

Highlights the completion of the journey and the act of arriving.

after they had arrived

Focuses on the period following their arrival, creating a slight temporal distance.

once they were there

Implies a condition being met upon arrival, shifting the focus to the subsequent state.

the moment they arrived

Stresses the immediate aftermath of arrival, heightening the sense of urgency or importance.

subsequent to their arrival

Introduces a formal way to express something that happens after they arrived.

following their arrival

Similar to "after they arrived" but slightly more formal.

after getting to the place

Informal alternative that focuses on the act of reaching a place.

FAQs

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

You can use "when they arrived" to introduce a clause that describes what happened at the point of arrival. For example, "When they arrived, the party had already started".

What are some alternatives to "when they arrived"?

Alternatives include phrases like "upon their arrival", "at the time of their arrival", or "after they arrived", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "upon their arrival" or "when they arrived"?

"Upon their arrival" is generally considered more formal than "when they arrived". The latter is suitable for most contexts, while the former lends a more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "when they arrived" and "after they arrived"?

"When they arrived" indicates something that happened at the exact moment of arrival. "After they arrived" implies something that occurred sometime following their arrival, not necessarily at the precise moment.