The keyword term "sep 11 when" functions grammatically as an interrogative phrase. It is composed of two distinct parts: "sep 11," which acts as a noun phrase (specifically, a proper noun identifying a historical event), and "when," which is an interrogative adverb used to inquire about time.
In this construction, the noun phrase "sep 11" serves as the subject of an implied question. It specifically references the events of September 11, 2001. The interrogative adverb "when" modifies this subject, specifying that the information sought is temporal. This structure forms a condensed query, eliding words from a full sentence such as, "When did the events of September 11th happen?" This type of clipped phrasing is common in search queries and data retrieval contexts where efficiency is prioritized over complete syntax.
The practical application of analyzing this phrase is rooted in information retrieval and semantic understanding. Recognizing "sep 11" as a nominal entity and "when" as a temporal question word allows a system to correctly interpret the user's intent. The goal is to retrieve specific chronological datasuch as a timeline of events, the time of day attacks occurred, or the year of the eventrather than general information. Therefore, the phrase's grammatical function is to precisely define a request for a timeline associated with a specific, named event.