when we arrived

USAGE SUMMARY

"when we arrived" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific time when the subject of the sentence arrived at a place. Example: When we arrived at the beach, we were amazed by the beauty of the sunset.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, he was kicking when we arrived.

Independent

"When we arrived, there were forty".

The New Yorker

The house was dark when we arrived.

The New Yorker

"When we arrived there were boos.

The New York Times

It was nearly twilight when we arrived.

The New Yorker

Nobody turned when we arrived.

The Guardian - Travel

"When we arrived, it was night-time.

The Guardian - Film

It was dark when we arrived.

The New York Times - Travel

The rodeo was deserted when we arrived.

The Guardian - Travel

"I cried a lot when we arrived.

The Guardian

The scene when we arrived was electric.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when we arrived" to clearly establish a temporal sequence, ensuring the reader understands the timing of events in relation to your arrival at a particular location. For example, "When we arrived, the meeting had already begun."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing "when we arrived" close to the clause it modifies. Incorrect: "Exhausted, the hotel was a welcome sight when we arrived." Correct: "The hotel was a welcome sight when we arrived, exhausted from our journey."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we arrived" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause of the sentence by indicating when the action described in the main clause took place. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when we arrived" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial clause of time, primarily used to establish a temporal reference point for subsequent events. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used across various sources, particularly in News & Media, and is considered appropriate for both informal and neutral registers. While alternatives like "upon our arrival" exist, "when we arrived" offers a straightforward and easily understood way to set the scene. Remember to pay attention to modifier placement to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon our arrival

More formal and emphasizes the act of arriving.

on reaching our destination

Focuses on the completion of the journey and arrival at a specific place.

as soon as we got there

Highlights the immediacy of the events following arrival.

the moment we reached

Emphasizes the specific instant of arrival.

at the point of our arrival

More formal and precise, specifying the exact moment of arrival.

after getting to our destination

Focuses on the state of being at the destination following the act of arrival.

subsequent to our arrival

Highly formal, indicating a sequence of events following arrival.

following our reaching

Similar to 'upon our arrival' but can imply a slightly longer period after arrival.

once we were there

Emphasizes a shift to a new state or location.

when we made it

More informal and emphasizes overcoming challenges to arrive.

FAQs

How can I use "when we arrived" in a sentence?

Use "when we arrived" to introduce a situation or observation that occurred at the time of your arrival. For example, "When we arrived, the party was in full swing."

What are some alternatives to "when we arrived"?

Alternatives include "upon our arrival", "as soon as we got there", or "on reaching our destination", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "when we had arrived" instead of "when we arrived"?

While both are grammatically correct, "when we arrived" is simpler and more commonly used. "When we had arrived" implies a completed action before another event in the past, adding an extra layer of temporal complexity that is often unnecessary.

What's the difference between "when we arrived" and "where we arrived"?

"When we arrived" refers to the time of arrival, while "where we arrived" refers to the location. For example, "When we arrived, it was dark" versus "Where we arrived was a small, quiet village."