when
/wɛn/ conjunction A1- At (or as soon as) that time that; at the (or any and every) time that; if. · Pavlov's dogs salivate when [i.e. at any and every time that] they hear a bell.· When [i.e. at any and every time that] he speaks to her, he is always polite.
- During the time that; at the time of the action of the following clause or participle phrase. · They dream when [i.e. during the time that] they sleep.· I'm happiest when [during the time that, or at any time that] I’m working.
- At what time; at which time. · I am here till Friday, when [i.e. at which time] I leave for Senegal.· I was just walking down the street, when [i.e. at which time] all of a sudden it started to rain.
- Since; given the fact that; considering that.
- Whereas; although; at the same time as; in spite of the fact that. · You're picking at your scabs when you should be letting them heal.· He keeps changing things when the existing system works perfectly well.
From the library
Reynolds then directed their attention to one of Miss Darcy, drawn when she was only eight years old.
“Except,” thought Elizabeth, “when she goes to Ramsgate.”
“We are never quits with those who oblige us,” was Dantès’ reply; “for when we do not owe them money, we owe them gratitude.”
I had gone on the quay to match a piece of mulberry cloth, when I met friend Danglars.
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