when we got to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when we got to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific moment in time when an event or action occurred, often in storytelling or recounting experiences. Example: "When we got to the top of the mountain, the view was breathtaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When we got to London.

The Guardian

And then when we got to London.

The Guardian

When we got to the street, it was snowing.

The New York Times

When we got to my car, she started to panic.

The New York Times - Magazine

When we got to security, it was a nightmare.

The New York Times

When we got to the curtain, he gave out".

The New York Times

When we got to Seattle it was pouring.

The New York Times

When we got to the beach, it was chaos.

The Guardian

"When we got to another village, they started shooting.

The Guardian

When we got to New York, it was the same".

The New York Times - Arts

But when we got to Turkey, my dreams were shattered.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when we got to" to clearly mark the sequence of events in a narrative, providing a temporal anchor for subsequent actions or observations.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "got". "When we got in the place" is incorrect; use "when we got to the place" or "when we got in the car".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we got to" functions as an adverbial clause of time, specifying when an action or state occurred. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showcasing its use in various contexts to set a temporal reference point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when we got to" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used as an adverbial clause of time. It serves to provide temporal context, indicating when something occurred upon arriving at a location. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across diverse sources, including news media and informal communications. While suitable for neutral contexts, it is best to use more formal alternatives like "upon arriving at" in academic or professional settings. Remember to avoid using incorrect prepositions after "got".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once we reached

Similar to the original phrase, but places more emphasis on the completion of reaching the destination.

when we arrived in

Specifically used for arriving in a city, country, or region.

upon our arrival at

Emphasizes the moment of arrival more formally.

after reaching

Simply describes an event occurring after the act of reaching a place.

as we arrived at

Highlights the process of arriving, adding a sense of action.

on reaching

A more concise and slightly formal way to express reaching a destination.

arriving at

Focuses solely on the act of arrival itself.

at the point we reached

A more descriptive way to indicate a particular moment upon reaching somewhere.

following our arrival to

Indicates a sequential order after arrival.

subsequent to arriving at

More formal and emphasizes the sequence of events after arriving.

FAQs

How can I use "when we got to" in a sentence?

You can use "when we got to" to describe an event that happened upon arriving at a specific location. For example, "When we got to the restaurant, it was already crowded".

What are some alternatives to "when we got to"?

Some alternatives include "upon arriving at", "on reaching", or "as we arrived at", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "when we arrived to" grammatically correct, and how does it compare to "when we got to"?

"When we arrived to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "when we arrived at". The phrase "when we got to" is a more informal alternative that carries the same meaning.

What's the difference between "when we got to" and "after we got to"?

"When we got to" pinpoints a specific moment upon arrival, whereas "after we got to" implies a period following the arrival. For example, "When we got to the hotel, we checked in immediately" versus "After we got to the hotel, we spent the afternoon exploring the city".