In those days when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In those days when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time period in the past, often when reminiscing or providing context for a story. Example: "In those days when we were young, we would spend hours playing outside until the sun went down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In those days when you were 25 you were a cast-off," she recalled in 2003.

Independent

"In those days, when we were kids in New York, she was the hottest thing going.

Independent

In those days, when a movie had good buzz, it meant my father had seen it.

The New York Times

'In those days, when people built things, they did it properly.

The Guardian

In those days, when navigational skills were rudimentary, establishing a safe route was of extreme importance.

The New York Times

In those days, when Greenhouse told people where he worked, they were impressed.

The Guardian - Film

In those days, when Jacobellis ran away with races, she might have gotten away with showing off.

The New York Times - Sports

"In those days, when the ordinary populace was illiterate, a pauper's grave would have been the norm.

The Guardian

In those days, when prime ministers could choose when to dissolve parliament, an election in autumn 1978 was widely expected.

The Guardian - Opinion

In those days, when cadets ventured off base, they sometimes wore civilian clothes and even wigs to avoid being hassled.

The New York Times

In those days, when people thought about children, they considered them learning animals in a Skinner box, reacting to stimuli and responses.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "In those days when" to provide context or reminisce about a specific past period, creating a sense of nostalgia or historical contrast.

Common error

While "In those days when" can add color to your writing, overuse can make your prose sound repetitive or overly sentimental. Vary your sentence structure and use other temporal phrases for a more balanced style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "In those days when" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a temporal clause. It modifies the main clause by specifying the time frame being discussed, providing context for the events or conditions described. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "In those days when" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase to set a scene from the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and readily usable. It is prevalent across varied sources like News & Media and Academia. While versatile, it's best used to create a sense of contrast between the past and the present. Remember to avoid overuse to keep your writing fresh and engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the old days when

Emphasizes the time period as being long ago, adding a slightly more nostalgic tone.

Back when

Focuses on a past period, omitting the specific mention of 'those days'.

Those were the days when

Expresses a nostalgic sentiment, highlighting positive memories.

In earlier times when

Similar to 'in the old days', but slightly more formal.

During the time when

A more neutral and less evocative way to refer to a past period.

In a time when

A slightly more literary way to introduce a past period.

In that era when

Uses a more formal term ('era') to denote the past period.

In the past when

A simpler, more direct way to refer to a time in the past.

When I was younger

Shifts the focus to personal experience and youth.

During my youth

Specifically refers to the period of one's youth, limiting the scope.

FAQs

How can I use "In those days when" in a sentence?

You can use "In those days when" to set the scene for a story or to contrast past conditions with the present. For example, "In those days when we were young, we spent our summers playing outside all day.

What are some alternatives to "In those days when"?

Some alternatives include "back when", "in the old days when", or "during the time when", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "In those days when"?

Yes, "In those days when" is grammatically correct and commonly used to refer to a specific time in the past. It's often used to introduce a description of past events or conditions.

What's the difference between "In those days when" and "nowadays"?

"In those days when" refers to a specific time in the past, often with a sense of nostalgia or contrast, while "nowadays" refers to the present time and current conditions.