whenever there was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whenever there was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a recurring situation or event that occurs at any time something specific happens. Example: "Whenever there was a storm, the power would go out in our neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Whenever there was more than one person, I'd always clam up and wouldn't talk much.

Huffington Post

A: Yes, whenever there was a wedding, or whenever there was a death.

Columbia University

"Whenever there was a bike race, I competed".

The New York Times

Whenever there was a wide shot, we used a double.

The Guardian - Film

Whenever there was a collision, we were there".

The Guardian - Sport

Whenever there was a baby coming, Martin started forgetting things.

The New York Times - Style

Whenever there was a glint of hope, it was dashed.

The Guardian

"Whenever there was something to vote on, we would vote yes.

The New Yorker

Whenever there was something he did not know, he promised to find out.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A former supervisor also noticed that working conditions were significantly better whenever there was an inspection.

The Guardian

Whenever there was an external shock, these countries would allow their currencies to depreciate.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whenever there was" to clearly indicate a recurring situation dependent on a specific condition. This helps create a cause-and-effect relationship in your writing, enhancing clarity and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "whenever there was" repeatedly within a short paragraph. This can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "each time" or "every time" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whenever there was" functions as an adverbial clause, introducing a condition or circumstance that triggers a repeated action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage to set up dependent clauses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whenever there was" is a versatile and grammatically sound adverbial clause used to establish recurring conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. While it's prevalent in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific writing, it’s essential to avoid overuse and maintain variety in sentence structure. Remember to use alternatives like "each time there was" or "every time there was" to prevent monotony and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

each time there was

Replaces "whenever" with "each time", emphasizing the individual occurrences.

every time there was

Similar to "each time", this alternative highlights the frequency with which something happened.

on every occasion there was

More formal and emphasizes specific instances.

in any instance where there was

This is a more formal and slightly longer alternative, focusing on specific instances.

if ever there was

This version introduces an element of doubt or conditionality, implying that the event may not have always occurred.

when there happened to be

This alternative emphasizes the chance or unexpected nature of the event.

during any period there was

Focuses on a time frame during which the event occurred.

as soon as there was

Highlights the immediacy or promptness of the action following the event.

in situations where there was

Emphasizes the contextual aspect of the phrase.

considering there was

Acknowledges the existence of something and its impact on subsequent events.

FAQs

How can I use "whenever there was" in a sentence?

The phrase "whenever there was" is used to describe recurring situations or events dependent on a specific condition. For example, "Whenever there was a problem, she would find a solution."

What can I say instead of "whenever there was"?

You can use alternatives like "each time there was", "every time there was", or "in any instance where there was depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "when there was" instead of "whenever there was"?

While "when there was" can be used, it often implies a single instance. "Whenever there was" suggests a recurring event or condition. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a repeated occurrence or a specific point in time.

What's the difference between "if there was" and "whenever there was"?

"If there was" indicates a hypothetical or conditional situation, while "whenever there was" describes something that happened repeatedly under certain conditions. The first is about possibility, the second about recurrence.