when they occur

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when they occur" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific events or situations as they happen. Example: "We need to address the issues when they occur to ensure smooth operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Are you often doing the same thing when they occur?

Harvard University

But her flashes of brilliance, when they occur, are memorable.

The Guardian

"We should recognize such efforts when they occur".

The New York Times

They can't get help with problems when they occur.

The Guardian

But when they occur, they are very rough and brutal.

The New York Times

The effects of these processes are especially difficult to determine when they occur quickly and simultaneously.

Land Use Policy

Seizures themselves can disrupt sleep, even when they occur during wakefulness.

Sleep Medicine

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — Symptoms, when they occur, are usually the same as the symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Harvard University

Problems, when they occur, are usually caused by bugs in the code I'm trying to run.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

True, we now have fewer failures, but when they occur....I shiver at the thought.

Huffington Post

As they are largely unconscious, mistakes when they occur are seldom corrected.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when they occur" to clearly indicate a conditional timing of events. For example: "Address issues when they occur to prevent escalation."

Common error

Ensure that the "they" in "when they occur" clearly refers to a specific and previously mentioned subject to avoid ambiguity. Be specific in your sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they occur" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying the timing or condition under which the main clause's action takes place. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

30%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when they occur" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that introduces an adverbial clause of time, setting a condition for the action described in the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its versatile nature allows it to be used across various registers, though it's predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. Remember to maintain clarity by ensuring the pronoun "they" has a clear referent to avoid ambiguity. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase "when they occur" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if and when they arise

Emphasizes both the possibility and the timing of events happening.

upon their occurrence

Replaces "when" with "upon" and uses the noun form of "occur", creating a more formal tone.

once they have occurred

Highlights the completion of the event before a subsequent action.

should they happen

Uses an inversion for conditional clauses, offering a more hypothetical nuance.

as they transpire

Replaces "occur" with "transpire", suggesting a more gradual unfolding of events.

at their happening

Focuses on the exact moment of the event, similar to "when" but more specific.

as and when they present themselves

Suggests an opportunity or condition that needs to be actively recognized.

in the event that they take place

Introduces a more formal and cautious tone, suitable for legal or official contexts.

at the time of their incidence

Formal and precise, emphasizing a specific point in time.

on their materialization

Implies a more concrete or physical manifestation of events.

FAQs

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

Use "when they occur" to specify a timeframe or condition. For example, "Problems, when they occur, are usually caused by bugs in the code".

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

Alternatives include "if and when they arise", "upon their occurrence", or "as they happen", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "where they occur" instead of "when they occur"?

While "when" refers to time, "where" refers to location. Use "where they occur" if you are referring to the location of events rather than the time "when they occur".

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

"When they occur" implies simultaneous action or immediate consequence, whereas "after they occur" indicates a subsequent action following the event. The difference is the time relation: simultaneity or sequence.