when
gb/wˈɛn/ us/wˈɛn/
A1
Inglese
~ 100
Accezioni
0 accezioni
conjunction
A1
relation
1
at the time that
Used to talk about the time something happens.
Schema d'uso:
when [something happens], [something else happens]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'when' with 'while'; 'when' refers to a specific moment or period, while 'while' emphasizes duration.
Sinonimi
as soon as (Emphasizes immediacy after the time something happens)
Contrari
before (Refers to a time earlier than the event)
Collocazioni
when I arrived
|when it happened
|when you see
Temi
daily life
|storytelling
|time
|communication
Esempi
- Call me when you get home.
- I was just leaving when the phone rang.
- He smiled when he saw her.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Schema d'uso:
when [auxiliary verb] [subject] [verb]?
Errore comune:
Learners may omit auxiliary verbs in questions with 'when'. For example, incorrect: 'When you come?' Correct: 'When do you come?'
Sinonimi
what time (More direct and specific; 'when' can be more general)
Collocazioni
when did you arrive
|when will it end
|remember when
Temi
daily life
|communication
|time
Esempi
- When will the train arrive?
- Do you remember when we met?
- She asked when the meeting would start.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Schema d'uso:
[time] when [something happened]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes omit 'when' after a noun referring to time, but it is needed for clarity in formal speech/writing.
Sinonimi
that moment (More specific and concrete than 'when')
Collocazioni
the day when
|a time when
|moment when
Temi
storytelling
|time
|communication
Esempi
- I remember the day when we first met.
- There was a time when I believed in magic.
- That was the moment when everything changed.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Schema d'uso:
[clause] when [contrasting clause]
Errore comune:
Learners may confuse this use with temporal 'when', but here it signals contrast, not time.
Sinonimi
although ('Although' is more formal and less conversational)
Collocazioni
strange when you think about it
|odd when compared
Temi
argumentation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Grammatica
Forma base
when
IPA
GB/wˈɛn/
US/wˈɛn/
Sillabe e accento
when (1 sillaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (when)
Forme flesse
Noun
- Base: when
- Plural: whens
Famiglia di parole
Forms
whens
noun
Core family
whenever
conjunction/adverb A2
Espressioni
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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- Since when do you like jazz?
- Since when have you been working here?