when

Use when in a sentence

adverb

When describes a point in time, and the circumstances under which something occurred.
An example of when is the time at which you go to the store.

conjunction

When is defined as information such as what time, what point or an alternative.
An example of when is the point in time that the runners started running.

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MLA Style

"when." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/when>.

APA Style

when. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/when

when

1. at what time?: when did they leave? he asked when he should go
2. on what occasion or under what circumstances?: when do you double the final consonant?
3. at what point?: when shall I stop pouring?
at an earlier time and under different, often less favorable, circumstances: I knew him when

Origin of when

Middle English whenne from Old English hwænne, akin to German wann, when, wenn, if, akin to hwa, who: see what

1. at what time or point: they told us when to eat
2. at the time that: when we were at college
at which: a time when people must speak out
as soon as: the runners started when the gun went off
at whatever time; whenever: she smiles when you praise her
although; while on the contrary: to complain when there's no reason to do so
if; considering the fact that: how can he help when they won't let him?

what time: until when will you stay?
which time: we came a week ago, since when we've been very busy

the time or moment (of an event): the when and where of his arrest

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"when." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/when>.

APA Style

when. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/when

when

adverb

At what time: When will we leave?

conjunction

At the time that: in the spring, when the snow melts.
As soon as: I'll call you when I get there.
Whenever: When the wind blows, all the doors rattle.
During the time at which; while: When I was young, I was sick all the time.
Whereas; although: She stopped short when she ought to have continued.
Considering that; if: How can he get good grades when he won't study?

pron.

What or which time: Since when has this been going on?
At or during the time that: Where were you on the night when the murder took place?

noun

The time or date: Have they decided the where and when?

Origin of when

Middle English from Old English hwenne ; see k^wo- in Indo-European roots.

Usage Note: In informal style when is often used after forms of be in definitions: A dilemma is when you don't know which way to turn. Although useful, this construction is widely regarded as incorrect or unsuitable for formal discourse. In formal style such definitions should be recast to eliminate is when, either by supplying a generic term that may be modified by a restrictive adjective clause ( A dilemma is a situation in which you don't know which way to turn ) or by making the when-clause adverbial ( You are in a dilemma when you don't know which way to turn ). When is acceptable, however, when a noun phrase that denotes a point in time is being defined or described: The best time to drink this tea is when you are sleepy.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"when." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/when>.

APA Style

when. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/when

Adverb

(not comparable)

(interrogative) Used to introduce questions about time.
When will they arrive?
Used to introduce indirect questions about time.
Do you know when they arrived?
Do you know when they will arrive?
Do you know when they arrive?
At an earlier and less prosperous time.
He's mister high and mighty now, but I remember him when.

Conjunction

At what time.
They were told when to sleep.
At such time as.
I'm happiest when I'm working.
As soon as.
I'll do it when I get the time.
At a time in the past,
It was raining when I came yesterday.

Pronoun

(interrogative) What time; which time
Since when do I need your permission?

Noun

(plural whens)

The time.
A good article will cover the who, the what, the when, the where, the why and the how.

Interjection

That's enough, a command to stop adding something, especially an ingredient of food or drink.

Anagrams

hewn

Origin

From Middle English when(ne), whan(ne), from Old English hwenne, hwÃ¦nne, hwonne (“when"), from Proto-Germanic *hwannÄ“ (“at what time, when"), from Proto-Indo-European *kÊ·o-, *kÊ·i- (“interrogative base"). Cognate with Dutch wanneer (“when") and wen (“when, if"), German wann (“when") and wenn (“when, if"), Gothic ðˆðŒ°ðŒ½ (Æ•an, “when, how"), Latin quandÅ (“when"). More at who.