Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
You use ~ to refer to any time or every time that something happens or is true.
She always called at the vicarage ~ she was in the area...
You can have my cottage ~ you like...
I recommend that you avoid processed foods ~ possible.
CONJ
2.
You use ~ to refer to a time that you do not know or are not sure about.
He married Miss Vancouver in 1963, or ~ it was.
CONJ