when you come

USAGE SUMMARY

"when you come" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something will happen once someone comes, either to a specific location or at some point in the future. For example, "We'll have dinner when you come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You speak differently when you come back".

The New York Times - Arts

When you come to the other side.

The New Yorker

When you come to B.C., it's team.

The New York Times

"It's just weird when you come back".

The New York Times

But when you come here, it's hard.

The New York Times

"I don't play that role when you come to me".

The New York Times

When you come here, you'd better be prime time".

The New York Times

There's big adjustments when you come to the big leagues.

The New York Times

"When you come home we will show you the model.

The New York Times - Science

"There's an emotion when you come here," she said.

The New York Times

"Time stops when you come here," reflects Palomaki.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when you come" to clearly indicate a future event contingent on someone's arrival. For example, "Please call me when you come home."

Common error

Avoid using "when you come" interchangeably with phrases like "if you come" or "should you come", as the latter implies uncertainty about the arrival, while "when you come" suggests an expected or definite arrival.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when you come" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating the timing of an event relative to someone's arrival. Ludwig examples show it used in diverse contexts to set conditions or expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when you come" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to specify the timing of events contingent on someone's arrival. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and general writing. While alternatives like "upon your arrival" exist for more formal settings, the phrase is generally suitable for neutral communication. A key writing tip is to avoid confusing it with phrases implying uncertainty. This guide offers practical advice and addresses common questions to help writers effectively use "when you come" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when you arrive

A slightly simpler and more direct alternative to "when you come".

when you get back

Implies a return to a previous location.

the moment you arrive

Emphasizes the immediacy of an action following arrival.

upon your arrival

Replaces "when you come" with a more formal phrasing, emphasizing the moment of arrival.

after your arrival

Highlights the period following someone's arrival.

once you get here

Focuses on the action of arriving at a specific location.

on your return

Specifically refers to the act of returning to a place.

as you approach

Describes the action of nearing a destination.

upon reaching

A formal way of indicating the completion of arrival.

subsequent to your arrival

A very formal and less common way to say "after you arrive".

FAQs

How can I use "when you come" in a sentence?

Use "when you come" to indicate that something will happen upon someone's arrival. For instance, "We'll start the meeting "when you come"."

What's a more formal alternative to "when you come"?

A more formal alternative is "upon your arrival", which is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is there a difference between "when you come" and "if you come"?

Yes, "when you come" implies an expectation of arrival, while "if you come" suggests uncertainty.

What can I say instead of "when you come" to emphasize the immediacy of an action?

To emphasize immediacy, you can use "the moment you arrive", which conveys that something will happen right after the arrival.