when was vs when did

Both 'when was' and 'when did' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'When was' is used to ask about the time of an event or situation in the past, while 'when did' is used to ask about the time an action or activity occurred in the past.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 705 views

The phrase 'when was' is correct and commonly used to ask about the time of an event or situation in the past.

"when was"

Use 'when was' to inquire about the timing of an event or situation that occurred in the past. It is often followed by a specific event or situation.

Examples:

When was the last time you saw her?
When was the party?
When was the decision made?

Show examples from the web [+]

eventTime - when was the measurement made
If so, when was it closed and what was the conclusion? 3.
And when was the painting sold?
Computer, when was this file created?
Before tonight, when was E last time you prayed?
So, when was this photo taken?
No, when was the accident?
Giulio, when was this house built?
Look, when was this plane built?
Jenna, when was the last message sent?
Where and when was this shot?
And-and the video - when was it made?
How and when was it repaired?
Now, when was that pyramid built?
And when was that text sent?
And when was Andrea's funeral?
But when was the "beginning"?
But when was the February Revolution, which preceded it?
The battle of Carachacumba, when was it?
Mrs. Murphy, when was Book Week?

Alternatives:

at what time was
at what point was
at what moment was
during which time was
during which period was

The phrase 'when did' is correct and commonly used to ask about the time an action or activity occurred in the past.

"when did"

Use 'when did' to inquire about the timing of an action or activity that took place in the past. It is often followed by a specific action or activity.

Examples:

When did you arrive?
When did they leave?
When did the meeting start?

Show examples from the web [+]

Since when did you start smoking?
Tell me, Jack, when did you first become...
She asked me when did I start to like him.
And when did Chandler leave Hong Kong?
I mean, since when did you become an expert in...
Since when did you become comedy relief?
Since when did you start asking permission?
Since when did you start spiking your chamomile?
Babe, when did you even think that you...
Since when did you start having anxiety attacks?
Second question: when did the Federal Government inform Euratom?
Since when did you become a liar?
And when did you hear the command to fire?
Since when did you become my counsellor?
Since when did you start smoking those?
So, Marc, when did you meet Kyle?
So when did you start teaching?
So when did you start living here?
So when did the headache start?
Since when did you get so light, Setsuko?

Alternatives:

at what time did
at what point did
at what moment did
during which time did
during which period did

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