[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/when/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [W](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/w/) / when # when conjunction, adverb; pronoun «when» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. When asks at what time something happens: «When is lunch?». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#m1) 2. When tells the time or the case in which something happens: «When it rains, we stay in». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#m2) 3. When can mean «as soon as»: «Call me when you get home». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#m3) 4. When can mean «although» or «since»: «Why walk when you can ride?» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#m4) 5. (casual) «Say when» means tell me when to stop pouring; «since when?» shows surprise or doubt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#m5) 6. (formal) Exams say «at which time», «upon», «in the event that», «whereupon» and «at what point». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#m6) ### In the lessons stating a rule or a moment in the story; in maths «when» often begins a rule: «When we put two groups together, we add»; «When does it end» asks for a time; phrases: «since when», «when I was little», «say when», «when it comes to»; in casual talk «when's the bus?», «say when», «since when do you like maths?»; in rough talk «when I get my hands on you…» (an angry threat), «when are you gonna shut up?»; in the exam voice «in the event that», «upon receipt», «at what point in time» ### Examples - When we put two groups together, we add. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x1) - When Tom came home, he had 3 cards left. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x2) - When does the film end? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x3) - When water freezes, it turns into ice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x4) - Call Mum when you get to school. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x5) - When is your birthday? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x6) - Wash your hands when you come in from outside. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x7) - when's the bus, 8:40? its 8:25 now [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x8) - Say when… stop, that's 3 spoonfuls! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x9) - When I get my hands on whoever took my last 2 biscuits… [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x10) - Upon the subsequent arrival of 5 passengers, ascertain the total number on board. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x11) - Why walk when you can take the bus? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x12) - But when was that to be? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/#x13) ### Note Introduces a rule or a time; carries no operation clue. «When does it end» asks for a time. «upon» and «in the event that» in an exam mean when. Trap: «when» asks about time, «where» about place. «when I get my hands on you» is an angry threat, not a time. ## In Jewish tradition Often marks the moment in a story ("when Moses heard it") or the case in a law ("when a man..."). In the primary lessons: stating a rule or a moment in the story; in maths «when» often begins a rule: «When we put two groups together, we add»; «When does it end» asks for a time; phrases: «since when», «when I was little», «say when», «when it comes to»; in casual talk «when's the bus?», «say when», «since when do you like maths?»; in rough talk «when I get my hands on you…» (an angry threat), «when are you gonna shut up?»; in the exam voice «in the event that», «upon receipt», «at what point in time» ### Examples - And Isaac was threescore years old when she bore them. (Torah GEN.25.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/when/#x1) - And Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. (Torah GEN.27.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/when/#x2) - And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face. (Torah NUM.16.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/when/#x3) - My soul failed me when he spoke. (Writings SNG.5.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/when/#x4) - When thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest. (Prophets JER.11.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/when/#x5) - And who shall stand when he appeareth? (Prophets MAL.3.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/when/#x6) ### Note Introduces a rule or a time; carries no operation clue. «When does it end» asks for a time. «upon» and «in the event that» in an exam mean when. Trap: «when» asks about time, «where» about place. «when I get my hands on you» is an angry threat, not a time. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «when» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/when/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«when» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/when.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «when» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/when/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«when» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/when.html) on Mova free.