[Grammar] Conjunction (when)

[Roktim]

He came when I was there.
I was there when he came.

Are they both correct & do they mean the same thing?

 

[GoesStation]

They're both correct.

Their meanings are somewhat different but I can't think of a good way to explain how.

 

[jutfrank]

Instead of saying that their meanings differ, I think it's better to say they have different uses. That means they are each likely to be found in different contexts.

 

[Roktim]

Can you please give some real life examples?

 

[Tarheel]

Would you please provide some real life examples?

Well, since you created the sentences maybe you could create some context for them. Or do an internet search, and see what context you find them in.

 

[PaulMatthews]

He came when I was there.
I was there when he came.

Are they both correct & do they mean the same thing?

Yes: He came when I was there entails I was there when he came.

 

[Phaedrus]

Instead of saying that their meanings differ, I think it's better to say they have different uses. That means they are each likely to be found in different contexts.

Can you please give some real life examples?

English speakers naturally foreground new information in main clauses and place given information in the background in subordinate clauses.

I arrived there in the morning and stayed awhile. He came when I was there.[given info: my being there; new info: his coming]

He came early in the morning. I was there when he came. [given info: his coming; new info: my being there]

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

He came when I was there.
I was there when he came.

Are they both correct, and do they mean the same thing?

The facts are the same in both. The order suggests (somewhat) whether the focus is you or him.

So yes, as Tarheel says, fleshing out the context will help decide whether one is better than the other.