a working day

USAGE SUMMARY

"a working day" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a day on which work or business activities take place. Example: John's boss asked him to work late on a Saturday, but he politely declined, saying he needed to spend time with his family on weekends and preferred to work during the usual hours on a working day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What better way is there to start a working day?

The Guardian

Good for emptying the brain after a working day.

The Guardian - Opinion

A week before the season opened, a reporter and photographer spent a working day with her.

The New York Times

It is hard to get through a working day without hearing a cliché or two.

The Guardian - Money

This is more a place to grab a bite in the course of a working day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Have you ever got to the end of a working day and thought: "You know what?

The Guardian - Opinion

They are also puzzled that we hold elections on a working day.

The Guardian - Opinion

Today is Monday, and Monday is that rare thing - a working day.

The Guardian

Paul explains that he leaves his characters behind at the end of a working day.

The Guardian - Books

It was a working day at this campus based university, but the science department had flung open its doors.

The Guardian

Norman Mailer cries off in a letter explaining that it would take the best part of a working day.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing schedules or routines, use "a working day" to clearly indicate days dedicated to work activities, differentiating them from weekends, holidays, or personal days.

Common error

Avoid using "a working day" and "a business day" interchangeably. While similar, "a business day" typically refers to days when financial institutions are open, which may exclude certain holidays even if work is being done.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a working day" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to describe when something occurs or to specify a time frame within which activities take place. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a working day" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to refer to a day dedicated to work. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, frequently appearing in news, scientific, and business-related content. While alternatives like "a workday" exist, understanding the nuances between similar terms like "a business day" is crucial for precise communication. To ensure clarity, use "a working day" when broadly referring to days on which work occurs and be mindful of the specific connotations in different professional fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a workday

Omits "working" but retains the core meaning; slightly more concise.

a business day

Focuses on the commercial aspect of the day; suitable in business contexts.

a regular day at work

More descriptive, emphasizing normalcy and routine.

a typical day on the job

Emphasizes the specific tasks and activities associated with employment.

an average day of employment

More formal and emphasizes the employment aspect.

daily grind

Colloquial and negative connotation, emphasizing monotony.

office hours

Focuses on the specific hours worked, rather than the day itself.

nine-to-five

Highlights a specific schedule; more limiting than "a working day".

a day's labor

Focuses on the physical or mental exertion involved.

a stint at work

Highlights a period of working, which may not constitute a full day.

FAQs

How can I use "a working day" in a sentence?

You can use "a working day" to describe routines, schedules, or activities that occur on days when work is performed. For instance, "Most people spend a significant portion of "a working day" at their jobs".

What's the difference between "a working day" and "a business day"?

"A working day" refers to any day on which work is typically performed. "A business day" usually refers to days when financial institutions are open for business, and may not always align perfectly.

What are some alternatives to saying "a working day"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a workday", "a regular day", or "office hours".

Is it correct to use "a working day" in formal writing?

Yes, "a working day" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Ludwig confirms this by providing a wide range of examples from academic, news, and business sources.