time noun + when + subject + verbUse when after a noun that names time. Then add a full clause.
When and Where in Clauses
B1Use when after time words and where after place words to add a defining clause: the day when we met, the town where she grew up.
What you'll learn
- Use when after nouns like day, time, year, and moment.
- Use where after nouns like place, house, city, and room.
- Choose the linker from the noun before the clause: time or place.
- Continue with a full clause after when or where.
Structure
place noun + where + subject + verbUse where after a noun that names place. Then add a full clause.
Build a sentence
Head noun
Clause
the daywhen we met
The day when we met was rainy.
day names time, so use when.
When to use
A time point
Name a day, year, moment, or period and then identify it with a clause: the week when Anna started her new job.
A place
Name a place and then identify it with a clause: the cafe where Tom met Lisa, the room where we work.
Identifying which one
The clause is needed to show exactly which day or place you mean, not just to add extra background information.
Markers
daytimeyearmomentplacecityhouseroom
Common mistakes
Wrong
I remember the day which we met.
Correct
I remember the day when we met.
After a time noun, when is the natural linker for the clause.
Wrong
This is the cafe which we had lunch.
Correct
This is the cafe where we had lunch.
After a place noun, where links the place to the clause.
Wrong
Do you remember the restaurant when we first met?
Correct
Do you remember the restaurant where we first met?
Restaurant is a place noun, so use where, not when.
Wrong
I remember the night when arrived late.
Correct
I remember the night when Tom arrived late.
After when or where, build a full clause with a subject and a verb.
Wrong
I went back to the town in where I grew up.
Correct
I went back to the town where I grew up.
Do not add an extra preposition before where in this pattern.
Common misconceptions
❝ I can choose when or where freely if the sentence is clear. ❞
The noun before the clause decides it. Time nouns take when; place nouns take where.
❝ After when or where, one or two words are enough. ❞
You need a clause after the linker, built with a subject and a verb.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_WHEN_FOR_TIME_NOUNSw5Use when after a time noun
Use when to add a clause after words like day, time, year, or moment. The clause gives more information about that time.
USE_WHERE_FOR_PLACE_NOUNSw5Use where after a place noun
Use where to add a clause after words like place, house, city, or room. The clause tells you something about that place.
MATCH_NOUN_TYPE_TO_LINKERw4Choose when for time and where for place
Look at the noun before the linker. If it names time, use when; if it names place, use where.
BUILD_FULL_CLAUSE_AFTER_LINKERw4Build a full clause after when or where
After when or where, use a subject and a verb. Do not put just a noun or adjective after the linker.
RECOGNIZE_DEFINING_USEw3Recognize when the clause identifies the day or place
Use these clauses when the extra part helps identify exactly which day, year, town, room, or place you mean.