Adverbe Relatif : 'When' pour le Temps
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'when' to link a specific time, day, or era to a description without using clunky prepositions.
- Place 'when' immediately after a time noun like 'day', 'year', or 'moment'. Example: 'The year when we met.'
- The clause following 'when' must contain a subject and a verb. Example: '...when the sun sets.'
- In informal English, 'when' can often be replaced by 'that' or omitted entirely. Example: 'The day (that) we left.'
Overview
when intervient.lien de ton appli préférée.I remember that day. We met then, tu peux dire avec fluidité
I remember the day when we met. C'est plus naturel, ça coule mieux, et ça te donne l'air d'un pro.when correctement est l'un de ces petits changements qui font passer ton anglais de compréhensible à courant. C'est la différence entre une photo floue et une vidéo 4K. Si tu veux que tes auditeurs voient le moment exact que tu décris, when est ton meilleur ami.How This Grammar Works
when un adverbe relatif. Mais ne laisse pas ce nom sophistiqué t'effrayer. Son job est en fait assez simple : il introduit une proposition qui décrit un nom de temps.mot de temps (le nom) et tu veux donner plus d'informations à son sujet. Au lieu de commencer une toute nouvelle phrase, tu utilises when pour faire le lien. Par exemple, si tu parles du moment, et que ce moment était celui où tu as liké par erreur la photo de ton ex d'il y a trois ans, when connecte parfaitement ces deux pensées.on which ou at which. Même si dire the day on which we traveled est techniquement correct, on dirait que tu écris un roman du 19ème siècle. Dans les textos, les jeux et les vlogs modernes, when est la voie à suivre.save the date.Formation Pattern
day, year, time, moment, era, week, ou même summer.
when juste après ce nom. C'est ton connecteur.
when dans le langage courant si le sens est clair, mais le garder est toujours plus sûr pour les apprenants B1.
when + [Subject] + [Verb].
The summer + when + I + started vlogging was amazing.
when remplace le besoin d'une préposition comme in ou at. Tu ne dis pas The summer. LewhenI started vloggingin
when porte déjà cette signification de temps en lui. C'est un gain de place !
When To Use It
when un peu partout dans la vie moderne. C'est parfait pour ces vidéos Storytime sur YouTube ou quand tu expliques un bug dans un jeu à tes amis. Utilise-le chaque fois que tu veux préciser une période ou un point dans le temps.- Social Media Captions:
Throwback to the week
whenwe lived on iced coffee and memes. - Work & Zoom Calls:
Do you remember the time
whenthe Wi-Fi cut out during the presentation? - Travel & Vlogging:
This was the exact moment
whenwe reached the summit. - Nostalgia & Daily Life:
I miss the days
whenwe could just hang out at the mall for hours. - Setting Boundaries:
Tell me the time
whenyou’ll be free so I can order the food.
when t'aide à lier tes réalisations à des années ou des rôles spécifiques. C'est la colle qui maintient ta chronologie personnelle ensemble.Common Mistakes
face-palm le plus courant est d'utiliser which ou that au lieu de when sans préposition.- The Preposition Trap: Les apprenants disent souvent :
The day
(Faux !) Tu as besoin dewhichI met her.whenou deon which. Si tu utiliseswhich, tu dois avoir la préposition :The day
Maison whichI met her.whenest beaucoup plus naturel. - Double Time: Évite de dire
The time
Tu n'as pas besoin dewhenit happenedthen.thenà la fin de la proposition parce quewhena déjà fait le boulot. C'est comme porter deux paires de lunettes de soleil — redondant et un peu bizarre. - Confusing with 'Where': Assure-toi que ton nom est bien un temps. Parfois, les gens disent
The place
À moins que tu ne sois né à l'intérieur d'une horloge géante, tu voulais probablement direwhenI was born.The place
whereI was born. - Forgetting the Noun:
Whena besoin d'unnom de tempsauquel se référer dans ces propositions relatives. Si tu disI remember
, c'est une structure légèrement différente (une proposition nominale). Pour une proposition relative, tu as besoin du nom :whenwe metI remember the
timewhenwe met.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
when, which ou that ? C'est comme choisir le bon emoji pour une conversation de groupe — le contexte est tout.whenvs.on which/in which: Ils signifient la même chose, maiswhenest le cousin cool et décontracté. Utiliseon whichpour les e-mails formels ou les essais académiques. Utilisewhenpour tout le reste.whenvs.that: Dans de nombreux cas, tu peux échangerwhencontrethatou simplement le supprimer complètement.The year
etwhenI graduatedThe year
sont tous les deux corrects. Cependant,thatI graduatedwhenest plus spécifique au temps et semble souvent plus clair.whenvs.where: C'est le plus facile. Si c'est sur un calendrier ou une horloge, utilisewhen. Si c'est sur une carte, utilisewhere.- Relative Clauses vs. Question Words: Ne confonds pas le
whendansThe time
avec lewhenwe metwhendans
L'un est un connecteur (adverbe relatif), l'autre est un mot interrogatif.Whenare we meeting?
when comme un outil spécialisé. Tu n'utiliserais pas un marteau pour réparer un écran de smartphone, et tu ne devrais pas utiliser which pour décrire un samedi après-midi si tu veux avoir l'air fluide.Quick FAQ
Puis-je utiliser when pour des heures précises, comme
the hour when the show starts ?
R: Absolument ! when fonctionne pour n'importe quelle unité de temps, d'une milliseconde à un millénaire.
Est-ce que c'est ok de laisser tomber when ?
R: Oui, en anglais courant, on dit souvent
The time we metau lieu de
The time when we met. C'est très courant dans les textos.
Est-ce que when fonctionne avec le passé, le présent et le futur ?
R: Oui ! Tu peux dire
The day when I was born (passé), The moments when I feel happy (présent), ou The year when I will travel (futur).
Est-ce que when est plus formel que that ?
R: Pas nécessairement, mais il est plus précis. Il signale à l'auditeur qu'une explication de temps arrive.
Puis-je utiliser when après every day ?
R: Oui !
I love the days when the sun is out est une super phrase.
Et si je ne suis pas sûr que ce soit un nom de temps ?
R: Si tu peux demander What time? ou Which day? à propos du nom, c'est un nom de temps.
C'est
the time when ou the time at which ?
R: Les deux sont corrects, mais
the time when est beaucoup plus courant dans la conversation quotidienne. At which donne l'impression que tu rédiges un contrat légal ou une invitation de mariage très chic.
Puis-je utiliser when dans un entretien d'embauche ?
R: Tout à fait. Ça t'aide à définir clairement tes périodes d'expérience, comme
The two years when I worked at Google.
Sentence Structure with 'When'
| Time Noun (Antecedent) | Relative Adverb | Subject | Verb Phrase | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
The day
|
when
|
we
|
met
|
Defining the specific day
|
|
The year
|
when
|
I
|
was born
|
Identifying a specific year
|
|
A time
|
when
|
life
|
was simpler
|
Describing a general period
|
|
The moment
|
when
|
she
|
laughed
|
Capturing a precise point
|
|
The decade
|
when
|
it
|
happened
|
Contextualizing an era
|
Meanings
A relative adverb used to introduce a clause that provides more information about a noun denoting a period of time.
Defining Time
Identifying exactly which time or period is being discussed.
“Sunday is the day when I usually do my laundry.”
“The 1960s was a decade when many social changes occurred.”
Non-Defining Time
Adding extra, non-essential information about a time that is already identified.
“In 2020, when the pandemic started, the world changed.”
“Last Christmas, when we were in London, it actually snowed.”
Formal Substitution
Replacing 'in/on/at which' to make sentences sound more natural.
“The moment when (at which) she realized the truth was dramatic.”
“The era when (in which) dinosaurs lived lasted millions of years.”
Reference Table
| Nom de temps | Adverbe relatif | Action/Événement | Exemple de phrase |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The day
|
when
|
we met
|
I remember the day when we met.
|
|
The year
|
when
|
I was born
|
What was the year when you were born?
|
|
A time
|
when
|
I need advice
|
She's the person to call at a time when I need advice.
|
|
The moment
|
when
|
he smiled
|
That was the moment when he smiled.
|
|
My childhood
|
when
|
I lived in London
|
My childhood when I lived in London was unforgettable.
|
|
The period
|
when
|
she studied abroad
|
The period when she studied abroad changed her life.
|
|
An occasion
|
when
|
they celebrate
|
Christmas is an occasion when families gather.
|
Spectre de formalité
I recall the specific occasion when we first convened. (Memory)
I remember the time when we first met. (Memory)
I remember when we first met. (Memory)
Remember that time we first linked up? (Memory)
Exemples par niveau
I like the time when we eat pizza.
Monday is the day when I go to school.
I remember the moment when you said hello.
Is this the time when the bus comes?
Winter is the season when it snows a lot.
There was a year when we lived in Spain.
I don't like days when it is very cold.
Do you know the hour when the shop opens?
I'll never forget the day when I got my first job.
Can you suggest a time when we can meet tomorrow?
The 1990s was a decade when technology changed fast.
He arrived at a moment when everyone was leaving.
In 2010, when the economy was struggling, many people lost their homes.
There are times when I feel like quitting, but I keep going.
The era when coal was the main fuel is coming to an end.
I need to find a day when both of us are free for a long talk.
The precise juncture when the two companies merged remains a point of debate.
We are living in an age when privacy is becoming a luxury.
Rarely is there a moment when the city is truly silent.
The period when the artist lived in Paris was his most productive.
The zeitgeist of the era, when existentialism reigned supreme, is reflected in his work.
One can scarcely imagine a time when such behavior would have been tolerated.
The very second when the catalyst is added, the reaction begins.
It was a dark epoch when superstition often overrode scientific inquiry.
Facile à confondre
Learners use 'which' for time because they think of the day as a thing.
In informal English, 'that' can replace 'when', which confuses learners about the 'real' rule.
'Whenever' means 'any time', while 'when' refers to a specific time.
Erreurs courantes
The day which I saw you.
The day when I saw you.
I remember when the time.
I remember the time when...
The day when I met you on.
The day when I met you.
When is the day you come?
What is the day when you come?
The summer when it was hot in.
The summer when it was hot.
Sunday is the day when I am going.
Sunday is the day when I go.
The year when I was born it.
The year when I was born.
The time when I spent in Paris.
The time which I spent in Paris.
In 2010 when I was a student I lived in London.
In 2010, when I was a student, I lived in London.
The moment when that I realized...
The moment when I realized...
The era when in which we live.
The era in which we live.
Structures de phrases
I'll never forget the day when ___.
___ is the time of year when ___.
There are moments when ___.
Can you think of a time when ___?
Real World Usage
Tell me about a time when you handled a conflict.
That moment when the coffee finally kicks in.
Is there a day when the museum is free?
It was a century when empires fell.
Remember the night when we got lost?
The hour when the polls close is 8 PM.
Utilise 'when' pour la précision
I remember the day when we met.
Ne confonds pas 'when' et 'where'
The day when I met youest correct.
Tu peux parfois omettre 'when' de manière informelle
I remember the day we metest ok, mais
I remember the day when we metest plus clair.
Les sous-titres utilisent souvent 'when'
This is the moment when everything changed.
Entraîne-toi avec tes propres souvenirs
I remember the year when I moved to Paris.
Smart Tips
Try replacing 'when' with 'in which' or 'during which' to sound more academic.
Delete the preposition immediately. 'When' does all the work by itself.
Use 'The moment when' to create a sense of drama and focus.
Try to put 'it' at the end of the clause. If it works, use 'which'. If you need 'on it', use 'when'.
Prononciation
Weak Form of 'When'
In rapid speech, 'when' is often unstressed and sounds like /wən/.
Linking
The 'n' in 'when' often links to the following vowel. 'When I' sounds like 'whe-ni'.
Relative Clause Dip
The day ↘ when we met ↗ was sunny.
The pitch usually drops slightly during the relative clause to show it is parenthetical information.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
When for the 'When' (time), Where for the 'Where' (place).
Association visuelle
Imagine a clock face that has a bridge growing out of it. The bridge connects the clock to a movie screen showing an action. The bridge is labeled 'WHEN'.
Rhyme
If it's a day, a year, or a time, use 'when' to make your sentence climb!
Story
Once there was a lonely 'Monday'. It wanted to tell everyone it was special. It met a connector named 'When'. Together, they became 'The Monday when I won the lottery', and everyone finally understood why it was special.
Word Web
Défi
Write three sentences about your favorite childhood memories using 'The year when...', 'The day when...', and 'The time when...'.
Notes culturelles
Using 'the time when' is a very common way to start a story or anecdote in English-speaking cultures.
In formal papers, writers often prefer 'the period in which' over 'the time when' to sound more objective.
In both US and UK casual speech, 'when' is frequently dropped if the noun is 'time' or 'day'.
From Old English 'hwanne', which was originally an interrogative adverb.
Amorces de conversation
Can you tell me about a time when you felt really proud of yourself?
What is the best time of year when someone should visit your country?
Do you remember the day when you first started learning English?
Is there a specific hour of the day when you feel most productive?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
My favorite season is autumn, ___ the leaves change color.
Find and fix the mistake:
The concert which starts at 8 PM is going to be amazing.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesI'll never forget the day ___ we first met.
The year ___ I spent in Italy was the best of my life.
Find and fix the mistake:
That was the summer when we went to France in.
remember / the / do / you / when / time / we / lost / got / ?
1. The morning... 2. The year... 3. The moment...
You can use 'when' to replace 'on which'.
A: Why do you love autumn? B: It's the season ___ the leaves change color.
I know the day when he arrives.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesI'll never forget the year ___ I graduated from college.
Choose the correct sentence:
Can you tell me the moment where you knew it was over?
Translate into English: 'J'aime le moment où la ville est calme.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match each time expression with its correct 'when' clause:
This is the restaurant ___ we celebrated my birthday last year.
Tell me a story about a time where you were really brave.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Je chéris les jours où nous n'avions aucune responsabilité.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the start of the sentence with its correct ending:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, in informal English, `that` is very common, especially after 'day' or 'time'. Example: 'The day `that` we met.'
Yes, if the time noun is the object of the main clause. 'I remember the day (when) we met.' This is very common in spoken English.
`In which` is much more formal. You would use it in an academic essay, whereas `when` is used in daily conversation.
Absolutely. You can say 'The very second `when` the bomb exploded.' It works for any duration of time.
Because `when` already acts as the prepositional phrase 'on which'. Adding 'on' again is like saying the same thing twice.
As a relative adverb, yes. If there is no noun, it is likely a subordinating conjunction or a question word.
No, `where` is strictly for locations. However, some languages (like French) use the same word for both, which causes confusion.
It is not redundant; it is grammatically standard. While you can say 'I remember when...', adding 'the time' makes it a relative clause.
Scaffolded Practice
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2
3
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
cuando / en que
Spanish speakers often forget that 'when' doesn't need a preposition in English.
où / quand
French speakers often say 'the moment where' instead of 'the moment when'.
als / wenn
English uses 'when' for both single past events and general times.
時 (toki)
The word order is reversed, and there is no 'when' equivalent acting as a bridge.
عندما (indama) / حين (hina)
English forbids the resumptive pronoun (e.g., 'the day when I saw him *in it*').
的时候 (de shihou)
Chinese speakers often struggle with the 'Noun + when' order in English.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Vidéos associées
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