english
1
general::
when
at or during the time that something happens:
• Call me when you get home. • When I got here, the place was empty.
while
during the time that something is happening – used to emphasize that something is continuing:
• I’ll make the salad while you set the table. • While we were on holiday, our house was burgled.
whenever
used in order to emphasize that something always happens when another thing happens:
• He visits his mother whenever he can. • You can come and talk to me whenever you have a problem.
by the time
used in order to say that one thing has or will have already happened when something else happens:
• By the time a child is five, he will have watched hundreds of hours of television.
Longman-Thesaurus
2
general::
adv.
what time:
When will we leave?
adv.
at which time:
I know when to leave.
conj.
at the time:
We'll go when the snow melts.
conj.
any time:
When the wind blows, the doors rattle.
pron.
time or date:
Have they decided the where and when?
Simple Definitions
3
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with WHEN, Also see CROSS A BRIDGE WHEN ONE COMES TO IT; PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, WHEN.
American Heritage Idioms