when they were available

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when they were available" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time in the past when certain items, services, or people were accessible or present. Example: "We decided to schedule the meeting for next week when they were available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Their official test scores were collected when they were available.

System

Sometimes the sites said rooms were sold out when they were available elsewhere.

The Guardian - Money

I started recording the score with the main band, while the guest artists – David, Phil Lynott, Julie Covington, Justin Hayward – came in when they were available.

The Guardian - Music

If I had chosen the Kirkland equivalents in my survey when they were available (and not all shoppers would), the basket would have cost another $8 less.

The New York Times

Two groups have approached him about buying the Chicago Cubs, he said, and he recalled receiving a half-dozen calls about the Royals when they were available in the late 1990s.

The New York Times

His accommodations from New Hampshire to Georgia, when they were available, were for the most part dirty and uncomfortable; it was not uncommon for guests to share beds swarming with insects.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

are used for weights when they are available.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We will provide further updates when they are available".

The Guardian

When they are available, triples are cheaper by the person.

The New York Times - Travel

While our alternatives may be limited, we exercise our options when they are available.

The New York Times - Travel

Just send them in when they're available - there's no penalty.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when they were available" to clearly indicate that something was only an option during a specific period in the past. It is useful for historical contexts or describing past conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "when they were available" if you actually mean "when they were easily accessible". Availability refers to the existence of something, while accessibility refers to how easily it can be obtained or used. Ensure your word choice accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they were available" functions as an adverbial clause of time and condition, modifying the main clause by specifying when or under what condition the action in the main clause occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It indicates a temporal constraint on the availability of something in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

40%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when they were available" is a versatile adverbial clause used to indicate that something was only accessible or obtainable during a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, including news reporting, scientific research, and general explanations. When writing, ensure that "when they were available" accurately reflects the past temporal limitation you intend to convey, distinguishing it from "when they are available" (present/future) and considering the nuances of availability versus accessibility. Remember to select words that appropriately reflect the intended context and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while they were obtainable

Replaces "available" with a synonym, maintaining the temporal and conditional meaning.

during their availability

Nominalizes the phrase, focusing on the period of availability.

at the time of their accessibility

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the ease of access.

when they could be accessed

Shifts focus to the possibility of accessing something during a specific period.

if and when they became accessible

Adds emphasis on conditionality and future possibility.

subject to their accessibility

Highlights the dependence on the condition of something being accessible.

contingent on their being available

Emphasizes the dependency of an action or event on the availability.

provided they were accessible

Introduces a condition with a slightly more formal tone.

as and when they were attainable

Focuses on the act of obtaining something when it becomes possible.

depending on their presence

Highlights the condition of the presence of something affecting the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "when they were available" in a sentence?

Use "when they were available" to specify that something was accessible or obtainable only during a certain period in the past. For instance, "We used employer-specific estimates of the necessary constructs "when they were available"".

What phrases are similar to "when they were available"?

Similar phrases include "during their availability", "at the time of their accessibility", or "when they could be accessed". The best alternative depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "when they are available" instead of "when they were available"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "when they are available" for present or future situations, and "when they were available" for past situations. For example, "We will use the data when they are available" (future) versus "We used the data when they were available" (past).

What is the difference between "available" and "accessible"?

"Available" means that something exists and can be obtained, while "accessible" means that something can be easily reached or used. You might say "The books were available, but not accessible due to the locked shelves", implying they existed but couldn't be reached. Therefore "when they could be accessed".