which is when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to connect two related ideas, one of which is a specific moment in time. For example, "We began our trip in September, which is when the autumn leaves were just starting to turn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which is when?

The New Yorker

Which is when it's done.

The New York Times - Magazine

Which is when the trouble started.

Independent

Which is When?

The New York Times

Which is when everything went tits up.

The Guardian - Books

"Which is when Steve [ Redgrave competed.

The Guardian - Sport

PAUL -- Which is when Bob helped out.

The New York Times

Which is when I realized he was pulling my leg.

The New Yorker

"I ended things, which is when the problems began.

The Guardian

Which is when things started to go wrong.

The Guardian - Music

"Which is when I realised they were 50 years old.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is when" to clearly connect an event or action to a specific point in time, enhancing clarity and flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "which is when" to introduce clauses that don't relate to time. Ensure the clause following "which is when" directly refers to a specific moment or period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is when" functions as a relative clause, introducing additional information about a specific point in time. Ludwig examples confirm its role in providing temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Huffington Post

22%

The New York Times

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which is when" functions as a relative clause to add temporal information, is grammatically correct, and is very commonly used across various sources. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The phrase is versatile, appearing frequently in news, media and less frequently in academic or scientific writing. When using "which is when", ensure that the following clause directly relates to a specific point in time to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's when

This is a more direct and informal way of indicating the specific time.

the moment that

This highlights a specific, often critical, point in time.

at that moment

This phrase emphasizes a specific, often brief, point in time.

when it happened

A more conversational and straightforward alternative.

at which point

This alternative uses a more formal tone and structure.

the time when

This alternative explicitly states the temporal nature of the connection.

when that occurred

This is a slightly more descriptive and less concise alternative.

upon which

This option implies a more immediate temporal consequence or dependency.

as soon as

This implies immediacy and direct succession.

at the instant that

This emphasizes the simultaneity and precision of timing.

FAQs

How can I use "which is when" in a sentence?

Use "which is when" to connect a clause that provides more information about a specific point in time. For example, "The concert starts at 8 PM, "which is when" the sun sets".

What are some alternatives to "which is when"?

Alternatives include "at which point", "that's when", or "at that moment", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it ever incorrect to use "which is when"?

It's incorrect to use "which is when" if the following clause doesn't relate to a specific time or moment. Ensure the clause provides temporal context.

What's the difference between "which is when" and "because that's when"?

"Which is when" simply adds information about a time, whereas "because that's when" provides a reason related to a specific time. The latter implies causality, while the former provides context.