Questions tagged [when]
The when tag has no usage guidance.
79
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3
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Using the conjunction "when" with the Present Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous, Past Simple and the Past Continuous Tense
From a grammatical point of view, I'm trying to understand the use of these tenses in the "when" clause. I'll give you an example. All of these example sentences are from native English ...
2
votes
1
answer
67
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Can I use "when" to replace "how often"?
Can I use when as a replacement for how often? Is it common to use when to ask about the frequency of an action?
ex: Question: When do you do the dishes?
Answer: Sometimes I do the dishes.
1
vote
3
answers
145
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"When" + future perfect usage
A Scots friend of mine corrected my usage of future perfect in this construction:
Right, see you in five years when your mother tongue will have taken another ten steps back.
Maybe the construction ...
2
votes
10
answers
624
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How do I ask "when" without implying past or future?
"When did or will the event happen?" — This sounds silly to me.
To make matters worse, I would like to use passive voice because the question is in reference to a statement that uses passive voice.
"...
0
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0
answers
51
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Present subordinate clause using "when" followed by a main clause in the past
Recently, I've listened to this version (on YouTube) of Led Zeppelin's song When the Levee Breaks. In this part of the song this guy sings "when the levee breaks, I had no place to stay", ...
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0
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43
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Can relative adverb "when" also be used to indicate condition?
As far as I know, I can't use the word "If" to make a relation between noun and clause such as
*The threshold if X occurs is 40 products at a time.
The right form of it would be
If X ...
6
votes
5
answers
103k
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Difference between "when" and "if" in a sentence
I was doing a grammar activity and filling in sentences when I came across the instruction: "fill in when or if."
I was wondering, since these two can be used in a lot of same sentences, what is the ...
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1
answer
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Is it correct to use where in a sentence like this? [duplicate]
I don't want you to do things where you put your hand on the back of my head.
I saw this use of where and wondering is it right use or "when" should use in stead of where.
2
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0
answers
43
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Shall I put that/when in this sentence? [closed]
For your safety, you will only be given access to lifts and runs that/when your instructor determines you are capable of skiing safely.
I was wondering if we put "that", which is a relative ...
0
votes
1
answer
376
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How to choose between "where" and "when" after the expression "There hasn't been a moment...."? [duplicate]
There hasn't been a moment where/when science has ceased to amaze me. What do I choose?
I have also seen use of "that" in some cases:
There hasn't been a time that I haven't loved you.
8
votes
2
answers
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For when [insert phrase]
5 cakes you can eat for when you're trying to gain weight.
Materials needed for when you build your time machine.
Recommended surrender terms for when our planet is invaded.
Word for when a writer ...
1
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0
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1k
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Which is the correct one? "When should we" or "When we should"? [closed]
I would like to know which of the following sentences is the correct one:
a) **When should we** use this or that?
or
b) **When we should** use this or that?
If both are correct, is there a different ...
0
votes
2
answers
192
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WHEN + PAST PARTICIPLE
I am struggling a little with a question I received from one of my Russian students today.
She doesn't understand the sense of :
You can go to the country break when you have passed your last ...
3
votes
3
answers
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Can "when verb+ing" refer to an activity in the past?
A correct sentence would be: When they were designing the product, they paid attention to...
Is this grammatically correct: When designing the product, attention was paid...
20
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5
answers
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"In cases when" vs. "in cases where"
This is one I struggle with from time to time. Which is better?
Methodology X is more suitable in cases where users' needs are well understood up front.
Methodology X is more suitable in cases ...
2
votes
2
answers
239
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Does any grammar (book or theory) classify 'where' and 'when' as pronouns?
(1) A: Where are you from? B: I'm from the U.S.
(2) A: When do you leave? B: I leave a week from tomorrow/July 7th/this coming Sunday.
Traditional grammar classifies where and when in (1) and (2) as ...
0
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0
answers
47
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"would" and "will" after "when" for generalization
I need help, a second eye to proofread the following:
"This method precludes an instance when the user has/will have their device broken."
AND:
"This method precluded an instance when the user had/...
0
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0
answers
18
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Why is "when clause" past?
"She said she would wait for me to return safely," he said, "and go to the frontline again with me when she recovered."
Do you know why "when clause" is past? My understanding is that it should be ...
0
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2
answers
673
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Which grammar rule (if any) applies to the phrase 'I like it when you smile.'
Why can we say 'I like it when you smile,' but not 'I like it how you talk, or 'I like it where you go.'?
5
votes
2
answers
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When / While + gerund
I would like to ask about two things
Can both "while" and "when" be used with a gerund?
Which one sounds better: "While ordering" or "when ordering" ?
While ordering a taxi, reliability is very ...
0
votes
2
answers
390
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Regarding "when" is a preposition
I was in a text exchange with a friend from Mexico. English is his second language. He deigned to correct something I, whose English is my first language, texted... "When you, me, Tony, and Gabi met ...
5
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3
answers
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Is "when" a preposition?
I had to come up with an "edit-the-mistakes" worksheet for a Special Education student on-the-fly. One of my offerings was this sentence:
When I was three years old I can tie my shoes.
I had ...
1
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0
answers
212
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Using 'at the time of ' instead of the word 'when '
I will go when you come.
Can I use 'at the time of' instead of the word 'when', as follows?
I will go at the time of your coming.
After the change, Is there any difference in meaning?
0
votes
1
answer
86
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"When" clause in second conditional
I would like to ask you for clarification, if the usage of the when clause is correct in the second conditional.
In one book I found the sentence:
When the factory came online in 1990, he would ...
0
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3
answers
333
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What tense to use with when along with past perfect
Consider this sentence:
He had felt this pain earlier, when he drew the bow.
My intuition would be that the sentence is incorrect, and that the correct form is:
He had felt this pain earlier, when ...
0
votes
1
answer
429
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Is "I got lost trying to find" correct?
I read this paragraph:
- Why didn't you come to Alex's house last night? We were all expecting to see you there.
+ Oh, I'm sorry about that. I got lost trying to find Alex's house.
Which one is ...
1
vote
2
answers
709
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Using "won't" in a "when" sentence
I'm confused about the use of "won't" in a "when" sentence, I've seen many sentences like:
What to do When Your Dog Won't Eat
is that right? or should it be:
What to do When Your Dog doesn't ...
3
votes
1
answer
523
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Subordinating conjunctions "who" & "when" as subject clause?
I understand who and when can be used to introduce adjective clause for sure like the following sentences.
The time when it is good for us to meet has not been decided.
The person who is qualified ...
1
vote
1
answer
2k
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what is the correct use of "when vs If"?
Stop work and initiate emergency response when unplanned contact with a buried facility occurs. OR
Stop work and initiate emergency response if unplanned contact with a buried facility occurs.
0
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1
answer
40
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Sequence of tenses in "When they do X, they do Y" structure
I got corrected when I said:
When people heard the term "accounting graduate", they usually say "Do you work at a bank?".
I was told to use "hear" instead of "heard". In this situation, why is "...
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1
answer
56
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Using Be or Being for initial word [closed]
I don't know which word is right for this sentence:
Be at the airport by 4 o'clock to meet him when his flight lands.
or
Being at the airport by 4 o'clock to meet him when his flight lands.
...
3
votes
2
answers
196
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When and why can you omit “when” (or other conjunctions or prepositions) before a gerund clause that’s used adverbially?
I had a bad experience working there.
Is that sentence correct, or must I write:
I had a bad experience when working there.
I had a bad experience while working there.
or even:
...
5
votes
4
answers
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Relative pronouns "where" and "when": where can they be omitted?
I know the "omitting-rules" regarding the relative pronouns who/which/that and whose. How does it work with where and when? In the first sentence I cannot omit where but I can easily omit when in the ...
0
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2
answers
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Is this "When doing something" sentence correct?
I was wondering if this sentence is okay:
The algorithm is inspired by the indirect local communication among the
individuals of a population of ants when (they are) searching for food
...
1
vote
0
answers
2k
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"when": conjunction or adverb? [duplicate]
I have a question about the word when. I have read that it can be a conjunction or a relative adverb (either way, it joins two clauses together). Can I ask how do I differentiate between the two?
A ...
6
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4
answers
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"When" or "Where" when refering to scenario?
In a sentence like, "This bias may not be acceptable in all scenarios, especially where/when recall is important," which of where/when should be used?
1
vote
1
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"When travelling in Australia, guidance is advised." [closed]
Is the following sentence grammatically correct?
"When travelling in Australia, guidance is advised."
It seems to me the subject is not matching the verb, as if "guidance is travelling".
0
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2
answers
379
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Comma usage: Sentence starting with "But", sentential adverb, and followed by "when"
I have a sentence structured as follows in a scientific text.
But, in particular, when doing A, the system cannot do B.
I think all commas are formally required. However, for "But" in particular, ...
3
votes
1
answer
2k
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Somewhere, somewhat, somehow, some...day? [duplicate]
While talking to myself the other day, I noticed something odd.
We have the five W words and the H:
What
When
Where
Who
Why
How
I've heard three of these words said with "some" at the start:
...
0
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1
answer
1k
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When should "dough" be used?
I've heard in many movies/songs, specially in American English, that they add to the end of sentences the word "dough". For instance:
I won´t play today dough
Could anyone give me a hint - what ...
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2
answers
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Do I need to use a comma in this sentence? [closed]
Which one is correct:
When you see the image, scan it with the app.
or
When you see the image scan it with the app.
(no comma)
0
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2
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'I will miss everyone when/if I leave my job.' Can the sentence with 'if' and the one with 'when' really mean the same?
A course book for learners of English I have to use (New Total English, Intermediate, Student's Book, page 57) says:
'For First Conditionals, we use when rather than if to show that something is ...
0
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2
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6k
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Is it When or where in this sentence? [duplicate]
We all have a moment in our life where something happens and that change the course of our life.
9
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3
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"If I go.." vs. "If I will go.." referring to the future [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Future tense in conditional clauses
Which one is correct?
option 1: If I go there, I can meet her
or
option 2: If I will go there, I can meet her
I clearly remember, ...
0
votes
1
answer
688
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What's the difference between when, as, and while? [closed]
I think choices 1, 2, and 3 are correct. Is there any difference?
I saw a boy.........I was driving.
1)when
2)as
3)while
4)since
Thanks
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1
answer
58k
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When using a comma before when [closed]
When is correct to use a comma before when? I have read many examples and still don't understand when it is correct to have a comma before.
2
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2
answers
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"It will be the first time (that) I have flown to America." Is the "that"-clause a relative clause?
It will be the first time (that) I have flown to America.
The above example sentence is borrowed from this earlier post.
Depending on context, there can be other variations as follows:
It is the ...
3
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3
answers
4k
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Can I use "when" + future tense in this case?
Can I use "when" + future tense in this case?
I'm not sure when it will be released.
0
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1
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How to change this to passive: No one knows when he has come into the room?
How can I change this sentence to a passive one?
No one knows when he has come into the room.
I feel it is probably wrong to say
When he has come into the room is not known by anybody. (wrong)
...
1
vote
1
answer
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Usage of "even when"
In my understanding, a sentence of the following form
A requires B, something that may be difficult even when C
means that
A is difficult since a necessary condition B is difficult. While B ...