when
Question about timing
When typically relates to time: When will you be back? We lived there when we were kids.
When is interchangeable with if in sentences where the main clause states a truism: When you lie you create complications for yourself. The desert blooms when it rains.
When may stand for a particular time stated in an earlier clause: They moved in a month ago, since when we have had no peace.
Informally, when is used as a noun to designate an unknown time: We haven’t yet settled the when or the where of the meeting.
Brief period of time
- instantBriefest unit of time
- junctureCritical point of decision
- pointExact location or meaning
- occasionNotable event or moment
time · instance · circumstance · situation · context · conditions · case · event
Conditional clause marker
- providedSupplied or given
- assumingAccepting as true unverified
- supposingConjecture as premise
- onceAt one time
should · upon · contingent · dependent · circumstance · condition · trigger · prerequisite
In brief time
- eventuallyAt a later time
- somedayVague future time
- laterAt a subsequent time
- afterwardAt a subsequent time
forthcoming · impending · imminent · anticipated · pending · expected · approaching · upcoming
Request for information
- queryRequest for information
- interrogativeAsking in nature
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
Time limit for completion
- nowThe present moment
- immediatelyWithout any pause
- promptlyWithout hesitation or delay
- time-sensitiveRequiring prompt action
countdown · crunch-time · last-minute · pressing · zero-hour · eleventh-hour
At one time
- formerlyIn the past
- previouslyBefore the present moment
- memoriesStored past experiences
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
During that period
- duringThroughout the span of
- asComparison word
- meanwhileDuring the intervening time
- concurrentHappening at once
mid · amidst · synchronous · alongside · coinciding · throughout
Coming into the world
- childhoodLife's earliest phase
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- adulthoodState of being grown
- retirementLeaving the workforce permanently
old-age · infancy · coming-of-age · milestone · graduation · marriage · parenthood · senescence
moment
Brief period of time
occasion · time · instance · circumstance · situation · context · conditions · case · event · occurrence
if
Conditional clause marker
once · should · upon · contingent · dependent · circumstance · condition · trigger · prerequisite
soon
In brief time
- eventuallyAt a later time
- somedayVague future time
- laterAt a subsequent time
afterward · forthcoming · impending · imminent · anticipated · pending · expected · approaching · upcoming · one-day
inquiry
Request for information
- queryRequest for information
- interrogativeAsking in nature
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
deadline
Time limit for completion
- nowThe present moment
- immediatelyWithout any pause
- promptlyWithout hesitation or delay
time-sensitive · countdown · crunch-time · last-minute · pressing · zero-hour · eleventh-hour
once
At one time
- formerlyIn the past
- previouslyBefore the present moment
- memoriesStored past experiences
nostalgia · yesteryear · bygone · retrospect
while
During that period
concurrent · mid · amidst · synchronous · alongside · coinciding · throughout
birth
Coming into the world
- childhoodLife's earliest phase
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- adulthoodState of being grown
retirement · old-age · infancy · coming-of-age · milestone · graduation · marriage · parenthood · senescence
- since whenExpression of incredulous surprise
- when pigs flyExpressing utter impossibility
- remember whenPrompt for shared nostalgia
- way back whenA long-ago time
- back whenAt a former time
- say whenRequest to indicate sufficiency