which occurs when

USAGE SUMMARY

"which occurs when" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that happens at a specific point in time or as a result of a specific condition. For example: "Bullying is a serious problem, which occurs when a person is subjected to negative comments or behavior from another person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Human folly causes famine, which occurs when those ways are blocked.

The New York Times

The first is the oligopolistic effect, which occurs when an agent can single-handedly influence prices.

Yale University

Constraints may cause offset, which occurs when the set points are unreachable.

Journal of Process Control

It's the wealth effect, which occurs when rising asset prices make people feel more secure.

The New York Times

One standard practice to prove a warrior's strength is the circumcision, which occurs when a male is in his teens.

The Guardian - Travel

However, progress has been made, notably on stunting, which occurs when children are too short for their age.

The Guardian

The most serious consequence is blindness, which occurs when the membrane behind the retina calcifies and develops cracks.

The New York Times

Despite the intense pressure, no A&E unit had to close temporarily, which occurs when a hospital cannot cope.

The Guardian

It recognizes that violence can be cultural, which occurs when beliefs are used to justify either direct or structural violence.

Britannica

This one is related to the well-known quantum Zeno effect, which occurs when a quantum system is frequently measured.

MIT Technology Review

This is a natural state of paralysis, which occurs when elasmobranchs are positioned ventral side up in the water column.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which occurs when" to clearly define a condition or event that triggers a specific outcome. Ensure the clause following "when" accurately describes the triggering event.

Common error

Avoid embedding "which occurs when" within convoluted sentence structures. Aim for clarity by keeping the relationship between the event and its trigger direct and easy to understand. Break down complex sentences if necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which occurs when" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information about a noun or situation. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and utility of this phrase. It commonly clarifies the conditions or circumstances under which something happens.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which occurs when" is a versatile phrase used to specify the conditions or timing of an event. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically sound and widely applicable across various contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig's examples, this phrase appears frequently in news, science, and academic writing, making it suitable for formal and neutral registers. To maintain clarity, avoid embedding it within overly complex sentence structures. Consider alternatives like "that happens when" or "that arises when" for slight variations in meaning or tone. Ultimately, mastering the use of "which occurs when" allows for precise and informative communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that happens when

Replaces "occurs" with the more informal "happens", maintaining the same meaning.

that arises when

Substitutes "occurs" with "arises", indicating the beginning or emergence of something.

that results when

Replaces "occurs" with "results", focusing on the outcome of a specific condition.

that takes place when

Replaces "occurs" with "takes place", emphasizing the event or action happening.

that is triggered when

Uses "triggered" to highlight the initiating event or condition.

that is present when

Focuses on the state of being during a specific time or condition.

that is observed when

Highlights the act of noticing or witnessing something under specific conditions.

that is evident when

Emphasizes the clarity or obviousness of something under certain conditions.

that is manifested when

Uses "manifested" to describe the way something appears or becomes apparent.

that comes about when

Substitutes "occurs" with "comes about", indicating how something begins to exist or happen.

FAQs

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

Use "which occurs when" to define or explain the circumstances under which something happens. For example: "Coral bleaching, "which occurs when" seawater becomes even slightly warmer than average highs, is a major threat to reefs."

What are some alternatives to "which occurs when"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that happens when", "that arises when", or "that results when", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Consider "that happens when" for a more informal tone.

Is it better to use "that occurs when" instead of "which occurs when"?

In most cases, "which" is preferred when introducing non-restrictive clauses that provide additional information, whereas "that" is used for restrictive clauses essential to the sentence's meaning. Thus, "which occurs when" is generally more appropriate when providing extra context.

How does the formality of "which occurs when" compare to other similar phrases?

The phrase "which occurs when" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone, suitable for academic, news, and professional writing. Phrases like "that happens when" are more informal.