when
gb/wˈɛn/ us/wˈɛn/
A1
English
~ 100
Senses
0 senses
conjunction
A1
relation
1
at the time that
Used to talk about the time something happens.
Usage pattern:
when [something happens], [something else happens]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'when' with 'while'; 'when' refers to a specific moment or period, while 'while' emphasizes duration.
Synonyms
as soon as (Emphasizes immediacy after the time something happens)
Antonyms
before (Refers to a time earlier than the event)
Collocations
when I arrived
|when it happened
|when you see
Themes
daily life
|storytelling
|time
|communication
Examples
- Call me when you get home.
- I was just leaving when the phone rang.
- He smiled when he saw her.
Learner examples
- I eat breakfast when I wake up.
- She calls me when she is ready.
- We go inside when it rains.
adverb
A1
relation
2
at what time
Used to ask about the time of something.
Usage pattern:
when [auxiliary verb] [subject] [verb]?
Common mistake:
Learners may omit auxiliary verbs in questions with 'when'. For example, incorrect: 'When you come?' Correct: 'When do you come?'
Synonyms
what time (More direct and specific; 'when' can be more general)
Collocations
when did you arrive
|when will it end
|remember when
Themes
daily life
|communication
|time
Examples
- When will the train arrive?
- Do you remember when we met?
- She asked when the meeting would start.
Learner examples
- When is your birthday?
- When do we eat?
- When will he come?
pronoun
B1
relation
3
the time that
Means the time that something happened or will happen.
Usage pattern:
[time] when [something happened]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'when' after a noun referring to time, but it is needed for clarity in formal speech/writing.
Synonyms
that moment (More specific and concrete than 'when')
Collocations
the day when
|a time when
|moment when
Themes
storytelling
|time
|communication
Examples
- I remember the day when we first met.
- There was a time when I believed in magic.
- That was the moment when everything changed.
Learner examples
- I remember the day when we played in the park.
- There was a time when I lived in Paris.
- This is the moment when we start.
conjunction
B2
relation
4
considering that
Used to show surprise or contrast because of a fact.
Usage pattern:
[clause] when [contrasting clause]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this use with temporal 'when', but here it signals contrast, not time.
Synonyms
although ('Although' is more formal and less conversational)
Collocations
strange when you think about it
|odd when compared
Themes
argumentation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It's surprising when you think about it.
- How can you say that, when you know it's not true?
- It's odd when compared to last year.
Learner examples
- It is strange when you see it.
- How can he be late when he lives next door?
- It is funny when you think about it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
when
IPA
GB/wˈɛn/
US/wˈɛn/
Syllables & stress
when (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (when)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: when
- Plural: whens
Word family
Forms
whens
noun
Core family
whenever
conjunction/adverb A2
Expressions
just when you think...
1/d͡ʒˈʌst wˈɛn jˈu θˈɪŋk |/
fixed phrase
at exact moment belief changes
Used to say something surprising happens right after you think something else.
Examples
- Just when you think it's safe, trouble appears.
- Just when you think he's gone, he calls again.
when in doubt
1/wˈɛn ˈɪn dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
if unsure what to do
If you are not sure what to do, follow this advice.
Examples
- When in doubt, ask for help.
- When in doubt, choose the safer option.
when it comes to
1/wˈɛn ˈɪt kˈʌmz tə/
fixed phrase
regarding a subject or topic
Used to introduce the subject you are talking about.
Examples
- When it comes to cooking, he's an expert.
- When it comes to sports, she knows everything.
since when
1/sˈɪns wˈɛn/
fixed phrase
from what time onward?
Used to ask when something started happening or being true, often showing surprise.
Examples
- Since when do you like jazz?
- Since when have you been working here?