He came yesterday when it was raining hard.

Question

1. He came on Friday, when it was raining hard.

2. He came yesterday when it was raining hard.

Is the "when" in sentence 1 a "relative adverb"?

Is the "when" in sentence 2 a "conjunctive"?

Please help me with these questions, and I'd appreciate it.

Hoa Thai · Accepted Answer

Hi Viceidol,

Here is an extract from American Heritage Dictionary:

"when - conj.

At the time that: in the spring, when the snow melts."

I don't quite understand what you mean by 'same meaning'. Because 'on Friday ' and 'yesterday' are not the same, so they do not have the same meaning. However, I can sense that you want to ask about something else, but I cannot figure it out. Sorry!

Best Wishes,
Hoa Thai

Viceidol · Answer

Sorry, you're right. That question is very strange, so I deleted it.

Lafingn · Answer

I guess they are slightly different but almost the same in meaning.

1. He came on Friday, when it was raining hard.

There's a pause in between. After the first part, the sentence starts to describe the moment he came: it was raining. Just take "when" as "and at that time".

2. He came yesterday when it was raining hard.

When clause here is simply a modifier.

Marius Hancu · Answer

He came yesterday when it was raining hard.

1. He came on Friday, when it was raining hard.

2. He came yesterday when it was raining hard.

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I guess they are slightly different but almost the same in meaning.

1. He came on Friday, when it was raining hard.

2. He came yesterday when it was raining

1. He came on Friday, when it was raining hard. On Friday it was raining hard most of the time, and he came on that day.

2. He came yesterday when it was raining hard. Yesterday it wasn't raining hard all the time. He came at a time when it was raining hard.

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