when

When will the train arrive at the station?

Definition

1. Adverb:

   • At what time: "when" is used to ask about the time or occasion of an event or action.

     • When will you arrive? (At what time will you get here?)

2. Conjunction:

   • At or during the time that: "when" introduces a clause indicating a specific time or period.

     • I was sleeping when the phone rang. (During the time I was sleeping, the phone rang.)
   • Although or considering that: "when" can imply a contrast or reason.

     • He keeps talking when he should be listening. (Although he should be listening, he keeps talking.)

3. Pronoun:

   • What or which time: "when" is used as a relative pronoun referring to a time.

     • Do you remember the day when we first met? (Do you remember the day on which we first met?)

4. Noun:

   • The time or occasion: "when" refers to a specific moment or period.

     • Tell me the when and where of the meeting. (Tell me the time and place of the meeting.)

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • When is your birthday? (At what time or date is your birthday?)
  • She asked when the store opens. (She inquired about the opening time.)

• Conjunction:

  • I'll call you when I get home. (I will call you at the time I arrive home.)
  • Why do you complain when you have everything you need? (Although you have everything, you still complain.)

• Pronoun:

  • The year when he graduated was 2020. (The year in which he graduated was 2020.)
  • There are times when silence is best. (There are occasions during which silence is best.)

• Noun:

  • We need to decide the when of the event. (We need to determine the time of the event.)
  • The when is uncertain, but the plan is clear. (The timing is unclear, but the plan is definite.)

Advanced Usage

• "since when": used to express surprise or disagreement about something recently stated.

  • Since when do you own this car? (From what time until now have you owned this car? — implying doubt or surprise.)

• "when it comes to": regarding or concerning a particular topic.

  • When it comes to cooking, she is an expert. (Regarding the topic of cooking, she is highly skilled.)

• "hardly when": used to show that one event immediately follows another.

  • Hardly had I sat down when the doorbell rang. (Immediately after I sat down, the doorbell rang.)

Variants and Related Words

• Whenever (conjunction/adverb): at any time that; every time.

  • You can come whenever you want. (You can come at any time you wish.)

• Whence (adverb/pronoun, archaic): from what place or source.

  • Whence did you receive this letter? (From what place or source did you receive this letter?)

• Wherewithal (noun): the means or resources needed to do something.

  • He has the wherewithal to buy a house. (He has the money and resources to buy a house.)

Synonyms

• As: at the same time that.

  • As I was leaving, it started to rain. (At the same time I was leaving, the rain began.)

• While: during the time that.

  • She read while he cooked dinner. (She read during the time he cooked dinner.)

• Whenever: at whatever time.

  • Call me whenever you need help. (Call me at any time you need help.)

Phrasal Verbs

• When out (rare): to happen or occur.
  • When out the truth, he confessed. (When the truth came out, he confessed.) — *Note: This usage is uncommon; typically "come out" is used.

Related Idioms

• When in Rome, do as the Romans do: follow the customs of the place you are visiting.

  • When in Rome, do as the Romans do, so try the local food. (Adapt to the local customs.)

• When push comes to shove: when a situation becomes critical or when action is necessary.

  • When push comes to shove, he will support his family. (When the situation becomes urgent, he will act.)

• When hell freezes over: never; an event that will not happen.

  • He will apologize when hell freezes over. (He will never apologize.)