when was that

USAGE SUMMARY

"when was that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it to politely ask someone when a certain event occurred, for example: "When was that meeting you had yesterday?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Finally, try the When Was That Invented?

Forbes

When was that?

The New York Times

[laughter] When was that?

The New York Times

"When was that?" he continued.

The New York Times

When was that directive changed?

The New York Times

And when was that?

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

RF:When's that?

The Guardian

When is that number determined?

The New York Times - Health

When is that day going to be?

The New Yorker

When's that show coming back?

The New York Times

When is that?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when was that" to politely seek clarification about the timing of a previously mentioned event or action. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Ensure the "that" in "when was that" clearly refers to a specific event or piece of information already established in the conversation to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when was that" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the time or date of a specific event or action. As Ludwig AI explains, it prompts for clarification or more precise information regarding timing. It is a question form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when was that" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to request the timing of a specific event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a suitable phrase for seeking clarification on previously mentioned occurrences. While the phrase is mainly used in neutral contexts, and especially in News & Media, more formal options like "Could you specify when that occurred?" can be considered for professional writing. Remember to ensure the reference of "that" is clear to avoid ambiguity. The phrase is supported by numerous real-world examples and authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when did that happen

Focuses specifically on the occurrence of an event, similar in meaning but different in structure.

what date was that

Specifies the type of information requested, changing the emphasis slightly.

on what date did that occur

More formal and specific, differing in formality and word choice.

what was the date of that

Rephrases the question to focus on identifying the date, altering sentence structure.

when did you say that was

Includes an element of reported speech, differing in complexity.

at what time did that take place

Focuses on the precise time rather than just the date, slightly altering the scope.

what year was that

Narrows the query to a specific year, changing the breadth of the answer.

can you remind me when that was

Adds a request for a reminder, changing the intent from simply asking to seeking assistance.

how long ago was that

Shifts the focus to the duration since the event, changing the nature of the inquiry.

what's the timeline for that

Asks for a broader temporal context, rather than a specific point in time.

FAQs

How can I use "when was that" in a sentence?

You can use "when was that" to ask for clarification on the timing of a specific event, for example: "The project was completed last year.
When was that?". It implies you're seeking a more precise timeframe or date.

What's a more formal way to ask "when was that"?

In a more formal setting, you could ask "Could you specify when that occurred?" or "On what date did that take place?". These phrases are more precise and professional compared to "when was that".

What are some alternatives to asking "when was that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "when did that happen", "what date was that", or "how long ago was that" to inquire about the timing of an event.

Is "when was that" appropriate in professional writing?

"When was that" is generally acceptable in professional settings for conversational contexts. However, for formal writing, it's better to use more precise and professional alternatives like "Could you specify when that occurred?" or "On what date did that take place?".