whenever that is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'whenever that is' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a statement about when something will be done, or is expected to be done. For example: I will finish the project by Friday, whenever that is.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whenever that is.

The New York Times

Whenever that is, I can't tell you.

The New York Times - Sports

Presumably he will have more time when he retires, whenever that is.

The New York Times - Sports

I've no doubts he'll go back to United – whenever that is – better for the experience.

Independent

But at some point, whenever that is, we'll have a vote on final passage".

The New York Times

He deserves to finish his career -- whenever that is -- how he wants to finish it".

The New York Times - Sports

The law finds no difficulty in disregarding the corporate fiction whenever that is deemed necessary to attain a just result.

Cornell University

When my time is up with Wales, whenever that is, I would prefer to work abroad again.

Independent

"I hope she gets the country muse again soon, and we'll gladly welcome her back whenever that is," he said.

The New Yorker

It is also a stratagem to ensure understanding, providing the opportunity for explanation and elaboration whenever that is desirable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Reporters should consider the advantages of reporting from the scene of events they are covering whenever that is possible.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, follow "whenever that is" with any known conditions or factors that might influence the timing.

Common error

Avoid using "whenever that is" if the context or event being referred to is not already clear to the audience. Ensure prior context is established to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whenever that is" functions as an adverbial clause, adding information about time. It qualifies the timing of an event, indicating it's uncertain or unspecified. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "whenever that is" serves as an adverbial clause, injecting uncertainty about timing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and common usage across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media, its purpose is to soften statements with a neutral register. To maintain clarity, ensure the context surrounding "whenever that is" is well-established. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "at an unspecified time". Overall, "whenever that is" is a versatile phrase, but the context is king.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at an unspecified time

Replaces "whenever" with a more formal phrase and slightly alters the tone to be more academic.

at some indeterminate point

Uses more elaborate vocabulary to express the uncertainty of timing.

when the time comes

This implies a future event, but leaves the timing vague.

when it's appropriate

Shifts the focus to the suitability of the time, rather than just its occurrence.

at a later date

A more generic and formal way to indicate an unspecified future time.

when the opportunity arises

Emphasizes the conditional aspect of the timing, dependent on a chance or event.

eventually

Simplifies the phrase to a single adverb indicating a future occurrence without a specified time.

at some juncture

A more formal and less common way of saying "at some point".

in due course

Suggests that something will happen when the time is right or expected.

down the line

An informal way of referring to a future time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "whenever that is" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "at an unspecified time", "at some indeterminate point", or "at a later date".

Is it appropriate to use "whenever that is" in professional writing?

While acceptable, "whenever that is" can sometimes sound informal. Assess your audience and the overall tone of your writing; consider more professional alternatives if needed.

What does "whenever that is" imply in a sentence?

The phrase "whenever that is" implies uncertainty about the exact timing of a future event or action. It acknowledges that the time is indefinite or subject to change.

Can you use "whenever that is" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "whenever that is" is less common. It's more natural to use it mid-sentence, following the event or condition it refers to.