Are you often confused about when to use “what” and when to use “when” in your sentences? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings and functions in a sentence.
The proper word to use depends on the context of the sentence. “What” is a pronoun that is used to refer to a thing or an idea. On the other hand, “when” is an adverb that is used to refer to a specific time or moment.
For instance, in the sentence “What is your favorite color?”, “what” is used to refer to the thing, which is the color. Meanwhile, in the sentence “When is your birthday?”, “when” is used to refer to a specific time, which is the date of the birthday.
Throughout this article, we will explore the differences between “what” and “when” in detail, so you can confidently use them in your sentences.
Define What
What is a pronoun used to ask for information about something. It is used to refer to a thing, an idea, or a concept that is unknown or unspecified. It is often used to identify an object or an action.
For example, “What is the time?” is asking for information about the time. “What is your name?” is asking for information about the person’s name. “What is the capital of France?” is asking for information about the capital of France.
What can also be used as a determiner, indicating that something is being referred to in a general sense. For instance, “What you need is a good night’s sleep” is indicating that a good night’s sleep is what is needed in general.
Define When
When is an adverb used to refer to a point in time or a duration of time. It is used to ask for information about the time that an event occurred or will occur.
For example, “When did you arrive?” is asking for information about the time of arrival. “When is the meeting?” is asking for information about the time of the meeting. “When will the package arrive?” is asking for information about the time of delivery.
When can also be used as a conjunction, indicating the time at which something happened. For instance, “I was walking home when it started to rain” is indicating that the rain started at the same time the person was walking home.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
In order to effectively communicate through writing, it is essential to understand how to properly use certain words in a sentence. Two commonly confused words are “what” and “when”. Here, we will explore the correct usage of both words.
How To Use “What” In A Sentence
“What” is a pronoun that is used to ask for information or to refer to a specific thing or idea. It can be used in a variety of ways, including as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence.
When using “what” as a subject in a sentence, it is typically followed by a form of the verb “to be”. For example: “What is your favorite color?”
As an object in a sentence, “what” is often used to ask a question or to refer to a specific thing. For example: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“What” can also be used as a complement in a sentence, typically following a linking verb such as “is” or “was”. For example: “The problem is what we need to address.”
It is important to note that “what” can also be used in an indirect question, where it is used to ask for information in a more polite or indirect way. For example: “Could you tell me what time it is?”
How To Use “When” In A Sentence
“When” is an adverb that is used to refer to a specific time or to indicate a time-related relationship between two events. It can also be used as a conjunction to join two clauses together.
When used to refer to a specific time, “when” is typically followed by a subject and a verb. For example: “When did you arrive at the party?”
When used to indicate a time-related relationship between two events, “when” is often used in conjunction with other time-related words such as “before” or “after”. For example: “I will call you when I get home.”
As a conjunction, “when” is used to join two clauses together, typically indicating a time-related relationship between the two. For example: “I always feel happy when I’m with my friends.”
It is important to note that “when” can also be used to introduce a dependent clause, where it is used to indicate a time-related relationship between two events. For example: “When I finish my work, I will go for a walk.”
Overall, understanding the proper usage of “what” and “when” in a sentence is essential for effective communication through writing. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand.
More Examples Of What & When Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between “what” and “when,” it’s important to see them used in context. Here are some examples of how these words can be used in sentences:
Examples Of Using “What” In A Sentence
- What time is it?
- What is your favorite color?
- What did you eat for breakfast?
- What is the capital of France?
- What is the meaning of life?
- What are you doing this weekend?
- What do you want for your birthday?
- What is the name of your pet?
- What is the weather like today?
- What do you think of this book?
As you can see, “what” is used to ask questions about things, ideas, or concepts. It’s often used to gather information or to clarify something that is uncertain.
Examples Of Using “When” In A Sentence
- When is your birthday?
- When did you graduate from college?
- When does the movie start?
- When will you be home?
- When was the last time you went on vacation?
- When do you usually wake up in the morning?
- When did you first learn how to drive?
- When is the best time to plant a garden?
- When do you plan on retiring?
- When was the Declaration of Independence signed?
On the other hand, “when” is used to ask questions about time or to refer to a specific point in time. It’s often used to make plans or to discuss past events.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using “what” and “when” in the English language, there are some common mistakes that people tend to make. It’s important to understand the differences between these two words and when to use them correctly to avoid confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Mistake #1: Using “What” Instead Of “When”
One of the most common mistakes people make is using “what” instead of “when” when referring to time. For example, saying “What did you do yesterday?” instead of “When did you do it?” This mistake can lead to confusion and make it difficult for the listener to understand the timeline of events.
To avoid making this mistake, it’s important to remember that “what” refers to the thing or action being done, while “when” refers to the time it was done. So, if you’re asking about a specific time, use “when” instead of “what.”
Mistake #2: Using “When” Instead Of “What”
On the flip side, another common mistake is using “when” instead of “what” when referring to an object or thing. For example, saying “When is that?” instead of “What is that?” This mistake can lead to confusion and make it difficult for the listener to understand what you’re referring to.
To avoid making this mistake, it’s important to remember that “what” refers to the object or thing being discussed, while “when” refers to the time it was done. So, if you’re asking about an object, use “what” instead of “when.”
Mistake #3: Using “What” And “When” Interchangeably
Another common mistake is using “what” and “when” interchangeably, without understanding the differences between the two words. This can lead to confusion and make it difficult for the listener to understand what you’re trying to say.
To avoid making this mistake, it’s important to remember that “what” refers to the thing or action being done, while “when” refers to the time it was done. Use “what” when referring to an object or thing, and “when” when referring to a specific time.
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
Here are some tips to help you avoid making these common mistakes:
- Take a moment to think about what you want to say before speaking.
- Use the correct word for the situation – “what” for an object or thing, and “when” for a specific time.
- If you’re unsure which word to use, take a moment to clarify in your mind before speaking.
By avoiding these common mistakes and using “what” and “when” correctly, you can communicate more effectively and avoid confusion in your conversations.
Context Matters
Choosing between “what” and “when” can be dependent on the context in which they are used. The context can refer to the situation, the audience, and the purpose of the communication.
Examples Of Different Contexts
In different contexts, the choice between “what” and “when” can change. Here are some examples:
| Context | Example | Choice between “what” and “when” |
|---|---|---|
| Informational | A blog post about a new product launch | “What” – the focus is on the product and its features |
| Instructive | A tutorial on how to bake a cake | “When” – the focus is on the steps and the order in which they should be done |
| Persuasive | A sales pitch for a new software | “What” – the focus is on the benefits of the software and how it can solve the customer’s problems |
As shown in the examples above, the choice between “what” and “when” can vary depending on the context. It is important to consider the purpose and the audience of the communication to determine which choice is appropriate.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using “what” and “when” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind.
1. Idiomatic Expressions
There are certain idiomatic expressions where “what” and “when” are used in a non-literal sense and do not follow the usual rules.
- What: In the idiomatic expression “what’s up?”, “what” is used instead of “how” to ask about someone’s well-being.
- When: In the idiomatic expression “when pigs fly”, “when” is used to indicate that something is impossible or unlikely to happen.
2. Interrogative Pronouns
When used as interrogative pronouns, “what” and “when” can be used interchangeably to ask for information.
- What: “What is your name?” and “When were you born?” are both grammatically correct ways to ask for information.
- When: “When did you arrive?” and “What time did you arrive?” are both correct ways to ask about someone’s arrival time.
3. Contextual Usage
Depending on the context, either “what” or “when” might be the more appropriate choice, even if it doesn’t follow the general rules.
| Context | Example | Correct Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Asking for information about an event | “What/When is the concert?” | “When” is the correct choice, as it specifically asks for the time of the event. |
| Asking for information about a thing | “What/When is that?” | “What” is the correct choice, as it asks for the identity of the thing. |
By understanding these exceptions, you can confidently navigate the use of “what” and “when” in various contexts.
Practice Exercises
In order to improve your understanding and usage of “what” and “when” in sentences, here are some practice exercises:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with either “what” or “when” to complete the sentence correctly:
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| _______ did you arrive? | When |
| _______ is your favorite color? | What |
| I can’t remember _______ we met. | when |
| _______ time is it? | What |
| We need to decide _______ to do next. | what |
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:
- _______ did you eat for breakfast?
- a) What
- b) When
- a) What
- b) When
- a) What
- b) When
- a) what
- b) when
- a) What
- b) When
Answer key: 1. a, 2. b, 3. b, 4. a, 5. b
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between “what” and “when,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and uses in the English language. While “what” refers to the specific thing or idea being discussed, “when” refers to the time or occasion in which something occurs.
It is important for writers and speakers to understand the nuances of these words in order to communicate effectively and avoid confusion. By using “what” and “when” correctly, one can convey their message clearly and accurately.
Key Takeaways:
- “What” refers to the specific thing or idea being discussed
- “When” refers to the time or occasion in which something occurs
- Understanding the differences between these words is crucial for effective communication
As with any aspect of language and grammar, there is always more to learn. Encourage readers to continue exploring the intricacies of the English language and expanding their knowledge of grammar and usage.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.