That or when
Posted by Tom Yonehara on November 04, 2000
Hi!
The antecedent of the relative clause is [that Grace came down.] in sentence 1, I suppose. I'm wondering why [that] is used in this sentence instead of [when]. I feel [by the time when] sounds better, but...
1. [The tea was cold by the time that Grace came down.]
How about sentence 2, 3, and 4? I was told that [when] instead of [that] is not acceptable in sentence 2 while either [that] or [when] is okay in sentences 3 and 4. I really don't know why?
2. [It was on Monday that I bought the book.]
3. [It was in the morning that / when I bought the book.]
4. [It was Monday that / when I bought the book.]
Thanks a lot.
All the best,
T. Yone
- That or when, or another way... Bob 11/07/00