when they convened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when they convened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time when a group of people gathered for a meeting or discussion. Example: "The committee made significant decisions when they convened last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

When they convened in 1968 in Chicago, the Democrats, like the nation, were deeply divided.

The New York Times

Thus it was on a recent afternoon, when they convened shortly before 1 p.m. "We always order the same thing," said Mr. Beame.

The New York Times

Posterity may have been the furthest thing from the minds of the composer, arranger, and flugelhorn player Thad Jones and the drummer Mel Lewis when they convened a jazz orchestra to play the Village Vanguard on February 7 , 1966�� their goal was to give worthy players a chance to bite into some challenging music on Mondays, when jazz clubs were traditionally closed.

The New Yorker

The first of those funding operations, in which the ECB will lend to banks pledging to improve their lending performance at a fixed rate of 0.25% for four years, will occur in September.Even so, the council had some worrying economic developments to mull over when they convened today.

The Economist

On reflection, however, Jim Fouratt, 72, of Greenwich Village, said the organizers of the front might not have listened closely enough in 1969 when they convened a meeting of several hundred people just days after the uprising at the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, where patrons had militantly refused to submit to police intimidation.

The New York Times

ON the face of it, examinations of human phobias or the physics of ice-skating and billiards would seem to have little to do with "the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge," the mission the founders of the National Geographic Society took on when they convened in a club near the White House in 1888.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

They will have another chance to engage on the subject when they convene a senior-level strategic dialogue next month.

The New York Times

Vice President Al Gore and the Democrats will engage in much the same tawdry exercise when they convene in Los Angeles next week.

The New York Times

Owners of local stations have tried to block the proposal, but it appears likely to be approved by the commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission when they convene later this month.

The New York Times

Council officials said that when they convene today, they expect to send only one message to Albany, asking for actions both the mayor and the Council are seeking.

The New York Times

Eurozone finance ministers are expected to give the green light to an emergency loan for the country when they convene for urgent talks in Luxembourg.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when they convened" to indicate a formal meeting or gathering of a group, especially when the context involves decision-making, discussions, or organized events. It adds a touch of formality and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "when they convened" in casual or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "when they met" or "when they gathered" to maintain a natural and approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they convened" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when an action occurred. This use is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig, which showcase its role in setting the temporal context for events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when they convened" is a grammatically correct phrase used to specify the time a group formally gathered. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples, primarily from news and media sources. While suitable for professional and formal contexts, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives like "when they met" in informal settings. Remember, as demonstrated by Ludwig, precision in word choice enhances clarity and maintains the appropriate tone for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when they met

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic meaning.

when they gathered together

Adds emphasis on the act of gathering, making it slightly more descriptive.

as they came together

Emphasizes the action of coming together.

at their meeting

Uses simpler terms, focusing on the act of meeting rather than the formal act of convening.

during their session

Suggests a more formal or structured meeting.

as they assembled

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

upon their assembly

Replaces "when" with "upon" and "convened" with "assembly", emphasizing the formal nature of the gathering.

once they were assembled

Highlights the state of being assembled as the condition for the subsequent action.

at the time of their gathering

More descriptive, specifying the time of the gathering.

at the commencement of their meeting

More formal and emphasizes the beginning of the meeting.

FAQs

What does "when they convened" mean?

The phrase "when they convened" means at the time that a group of people formally gathered or met, usually for a specific purpose such as a meeting or conference. It implies a structured and organized gathering.

What can I say instead of "when they convened"?

You can use alternatives like "when they met", "when they gathered", or "upon their assembly" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "when they convened" formal or informal?

"When they convened" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, or news-related contexts. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "when they met" might be more appropriate.

How do I use "when they convened" in a sentence?

Use "when they convened" to introduce a clause describing the circumstances or actions taken at the time of a formal gathering. For example: "When they convened, the committee reviewed the latest financial reports."