when
gb/wˈɛn/ us/wˈɛn/
A1
Anglais
~ 100
Sens
0 sens
conjunction
A1
relation
1
at the time that
Used to talk about the time something happens.
Schéma d’usage :
when [something happens], [something else happens]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'when' with 'while'; 'when' refers to a specific moment or period, while 'while' emphasizes duration.
Synonymes
as soon as (Emphasizes immediacy after the time something happens)
Antonymes
before (Refers to a time earlier than the event)
Collocations
when I arrived
|when it happened
|when you see
Thèmes
daily life
|storytelling
|time
|communication
Exemples
- Call me when you get home.
- I was just leaving when the phone rang.
- He smiled when he saw her.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Schéma d’usage :
when [auxiliary verb] [subject] [verb]?
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may omit auxiliary verbs in questions with 'when'. For example, incorrect: 'When you come?' Correct: 'When do you come?'
Synonymes
what time (More direct and specific; 'when' can be more general)
Collocations
when did you arrive
|when will it end
|remember when
Thèmes
daily life
|communication
|time
Exemples
- When will the train arrive?
- Do you remember when we met?
- She asked when the meeting would start.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Schéma d’usage :
[time] when [something happened]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes omit 'when' after a noun referring to time, but it is needed for clarity in formal speech/writing.
Synonymes
that moment (More specific and concrete than 'when')
Collocations
the day when
|a time when
|moment when
Thèmes
storytelling
|time
|communication
Exemples
- I remember the day when we first met.
- There was a time when I believed in magic.
- That was the moment when everything changed.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Schéma d’usage :
[clause] when [contrasting clause]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this use with temporal 'when', but here it signals contrast, not time.
Synonymes
although ('Although' is more formal and less conversational)
Collocations
strange when you think about it
|odd when compared
Thèmes
argumentation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
when
API
GB/wˈɛn/
US/wˈɛn/
Syllabes et accentuation
when (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (when)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: when
- Plural: whens
Famille de mots
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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- Since when do you like jazz?
- Since when have you been working here?