Using When

Previously, you learned how to use when in questions:

--When are you leaving?

When can also be used in a dependent clause:

--I forgot the date when you arrived.

In the latter example, when is used to refer to a noun of time (i.e., a day, week, month, etc.)

In time clauses, it is also possible to use that or which preceded by a preposition:

--I forgot the date that you arrived.

--I forgot the date on which you arrived.

No preposition is needed with that.

Note how two sentences are combined using when:

--I"ll always remember the day she was born. She was born then (on that day).

--I"ll always remember the day when she was born

Information Questions

Many times you will want to ask a question that elicits information, instead of a simple yes/no answer. Information questions will begin with one of the following words:

WHO
WHERE
WHOM
WHAT
WHOSE
WHICH
WHY
HOW
WHEN

Who refers to people. It is used as the subject of the question.

Whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition.

Whose asks questions about possession.

Why is used to ask questions about reason.

When is used to ask questions about time.

Where is used to ask questions about place.

What can be used as the subject or object of a question. It refers to things.

Which is used instead of what when a question concerns choosing from a definite, known quantity or group.

How generally asks about manner. It is often used with much and many.

When a form of to be is the main verb in the simple present and simple past, it precedes the subject:

--Who is that man?

--Where is the airport?

--Where are the checks?

--What time is it?