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When is a widely-used vocabulary and a part of the WH-words category. We will learn five functions of when in this lesson:
Functions of 'When'
- Interrogative Adverb
- Conjunction of Time
- Subordinating Conjunction
- Relative Adverb
- Nominal Relative Pronoun
1. 'When' as an Interrogative Adverb
Use
When as an interrogative adverb is used to ask questions about the time of an action. For example:
'When' asks about the time of an action.
Position in a Sentence
When is used either alone or at the beginning of a clause. If it is used at the beginning of a clause, an inversion is needed. Here are three steps to make an inversion:
- The interrogative adverb comes at the beginning of a clause.
- The adverb of time is omitted.
- The subject and the verb are inverted.
Tip
1. The subjects 'I' and 'we' are replaced with 'you' in interrogative sentences.
2. If there is a main verb in a sentence, a semi-auxiliary or an auxiliary verb is needed to make an interrogation.
Here is an example:
Tip
When as an interrogative adverb is used alone to show emotion. Here are some examples:
'When' here shows impatience.
2. 'When' as a Conjunction of Time
Use
When as a conjunction of time introduces an adverbial clause, expressing when an action happens. It also functions as adverbs and describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Now look at its uses and some examples:
- When is used when the two actions are happening at the same time or during that time, here when has a similar meaning to while; like:
Two actions are happening simultaneously.
I was driving
'My sister was talking to me' is happening during ' I was driving.'
- When means after or just after; such as:
I will play with you,
‘I will play with you’ happens after 'you have cooked the meal.'
You called me
'When' here means 'just after.'
- When shows a condition and it has a similar meaning to 'whenever, if.' For example:
I call you
Position in a Sentence
When only comes before an adverbial clause. An adverbial clause comes before or after the independent clause.
You called me
'When I stepped into the home' can also be used after 'you called me.'
3. 'When' as a Subordinating Conjunction
Use
When as a subordinating conjunction introduces an adverbial clause. It shows concession, contrast, or reason. Now, take a look at the uses and examples of when as subordinating conjunction:
- When shows that there is a concession between two clauses, which means the dependent clause is rather surprising or unlikely; here when is synonymous with although, though; like:
I had to read a horror book
- When shows that there is a contrast between two clauses; when here is synonymous with 'whereas, while.' For example:
I came back home
- When can mean 'for the reason that.' It has a similar meaning to 'since.' For example:
I don’t go out
Position in a Sentence
When is only used at the beginning of the dependent clause. For example:
I don’t go out
'I have no money' is marked by 'when.'
4. 'When' as a Relative Adverb
Use
When as a relative adverb introduces an adjective clause that functions as an adjective and describes a noun or a noun phrase it precedes. Here is an example:
She remembers the night
'When you asked her' acts as an adjective for 'the night.'
Position in a Sentence
When as a relative adverb always comes at the beginning of the adjective clause. Now, take a look at an example:
She remembers the night
'When' comes at the beginning of the adjective clause 'you asked her out.'
5. 'When' as a Nominal Relative Pronoun
Use
When as a nominal relative pronoun connects a nominal relative clause to the main clause. The nominal relative clause is either the object or subject of the main clause. Now, take a look at its uses and some examples:
I don't know
The nominal relative clause acts as an object here.
The nominal relative clause acts as a subject here.
Position in a Sentence
When as a relative pronoun always comes at the beginning of the relative clause. When is used in two ways:
- When precedes a sentence; here are two examples:
I never asked
- The nominal relative pronoun when can precede an infinitive too. For example:
I never forget
I never forget
'When to see you' is a nominal relative clause introduced by 'when.'
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