When vs. Whenever

conjunctions of time relative adverbs when

What Is Their Main Difference?

The main difference between 'when' and 'whenever' is that we use 'when' for a specific time while we use 'whenever' to talk about repeated actions.

Expressing Time and Events

'When' and 'whenever' can be used to express times and events.
'When' is used to express single occurrences. In other words, 'when' is used to show unique events. It is also used to express events with a known time.
'Whenever' is used to express repeated events. It is also used to show events that have an uncertain time.

Example

I will call you when I get home.

He calls me whenever I'm about to go outside.

Parts of Speech

'When' and 'whenever' have their similarities and differences when it comes to their parts of speech.
'When' can be used as a relative adverb and interrogative adverb.
'Whenever' can be used as an adverb.
They both can be used as conjunctions.

Example

I remember the day when I first met you.

I become angry whenever I think about what she did.

Comments

(1)

Joan Peterson

Jul 2024

Some teachers must be poor in grammar to have allowed the use of 'whenever' instead of 'when', as so many youth use the term incorrectly!

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What Is Their Main Difference?
Expressing Time and Events
Parts of Speech

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