when they come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when they come" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a future event or situation when a specific group of people arrives or appears. Example: "We will discuss the project details when they come to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When they come back, they're changed.

The New Yorker

When they come to the meeting late.

The New Yorker

But they shoot when they come through.

The New York Times

"When they come under fire they scatter.

The Economist

Attacks will come when they come.

The New York Times

That's when they come alive".

The New York Times - Arts

It's when they come on the property".

The New York Times

"When they come out, it's pretty awesome".

The New York Times - Sports

When they come together, they are formidable".

The Guardian

When they come, it's a real thrill.

The Guardian - Books

Notifications override anything when they come in.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when they come" to introduce a clause that specifies the timing of an event or action. For example, "We will start the meeting when they come."

Common error

Ensure the tense in the main clause agrees with the tense implied by "when they come". Avoid mixing future and past tenses inappropriately. For example, instead of "When they come, I was happy", use "When they came, I was happy" or "When they come, I will be happy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they come" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when an event will occur. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showing it introduces a condition dependent on the arrival of a specific group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

24%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when they come" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial clause of time. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and serves to specify the timing of an event contingent on the arrival of a particular group. It is characterized by a neutral register, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news reports to scientific papers. The most frequent contexts where this phrase is used are "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki". Remember to maintain tense agreement and consider alternatives like "upon their arrival" or "as they arrive" for stylistic variation. By paying attention to these nuances, writers can effectively use "when they come" to convey precise temporal relationships in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they arrive

Focuses on the action of arriving with a temporal conjunction.

upon their arrival

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of arriving.

on their arrival

Similar to "upon their arrival" but slightly less formal.

after they get here

Focuses on the completion of arrival.

the moment they arrive

Highlights the specific point in time of arrival.

once they're here

Emphasizes presence at a location.

when they show up

Informal alternative indicating appearance.

if they arrive

Expresses a condition based on their arrival.

as they reach

Emphasizes the action of reaching a specific destination.

at their coming

A more archaic or poetic phrasing of their arrival.

FAQs

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

You can use "when they come" to indicate a future action that will occur upon the arrival of a specific group. For example, "The presentation will begin when they come."

What are some alternatives to "when they come"?

Some alternatives include "upon their arrival", "as they arrive", or "once they are here".

Is "when they come" formal or informal?

"When they come" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the surrounding language and situation.

What is the difference between "when they come" and "if they come"?

"When they come" assumes the arrival is expected or definite, while "if they come" suggests the arrival is conditional and not guaranteed.