How would you rephrase a departure time with "when" to express the same meaning?

The selected response accurately conveys the idea of leaving at a specific point in time that aligns with the conclusion of an event. The phrase "I left when the meeting ended" directly indicates that the departure occurred simultaneously with the end of the meeting, preserving the temporal relationship originally expressed.

The other options either alter the timing of the departure or do not align with the conditions set by the original statement. For instance, stating that you left while the meeting was ending suggests that the departure occurred during the meeting’s conclusion, which could imply overlap rather than a simultaneous event as required. Saying you left when the meeting started changes the timing to the beginning of the meeting, which significantly shifts the meaning. Finally, claiming you left after the meeting ended introduces a chronological sequence that indicates a delay post-meeting, which also diverges from the requested simultaneous departure time described in the original inquiry.