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Mr. Tom Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Expression: When are you talking about...

Hi

If a person is talking about a certain action which the other cannot remember exactly – can he ask this question? In other words, can when be used as a noun meaning a period of certain action?

A – And that day when we lost our key and it was raining…
B – When are you talking about?
A – When Aunt Mary came to stay. Remember?

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

No, that is incorrect in the above context. " But not "when".

— Anonymous

  • No, that is incorrect in the above context.
  • " But not "when".
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7 Answers
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No, that is incorrect in the above context. It can be:
"What are you talking about?"
"What day are you talking about?"
But not "when".
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Thanks, Anon.

What about:

A- What time are you talking about?
B - The time when Aunt Mary came to stay.

Tom
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Mr. Tom,

Yes, What time is correct.

Anon.
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Mr. Tomcan when be used as a noun meaning a period of certain action?
Yes. People do substitute "When?" for "What day?" and similar constructions. It sounds a little off to my ear, but it's quite common to do it.

CJ
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Thanks, CJ.

Just to make sure that I understood you correctly, you don't have much objection to the underlined expression? And people do use it?

– And that day when we lost our key and it was raining…
B – When are you talking about?
A – When Aunt Mary came to stay. Remember?

Tom
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Mr. Tomyou don't have much objection to the underlined expression? And people do use it? When are you talking about?
I have no objection to it. Yes, people do use it. Personally, I'd say "What day are you talking about?", but that's my preference.
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Mr. TomHiIf a person is talking about a certain action which the other cannot remember exactly – can he ask this question? In other words, can when be used as a noun meaning a period of certain action?A – And that day when we lost our key and it was raining…B – When are you talking about?A – When Aunt Mary came to stay. Remember?Thanks,Tom
That sounds fine to
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