by the day

USAGE SUMMARY

"by the day" is a correct phrase in written English.
It is an adverb phrase that means "gradually over time" or "on a daily basis". Example sentence: I'm trying to get healthier by the day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I live by the day.

The Guardian

Rent will be prorated by the day.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Its flavor improves by the day.

The New York Times - Food

Klopp just looked drained by the day.

The Guardian - Sport

But it changes by the day.

The New York Times

Venezuela's crisis deepens by the day.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

By the Thursday after Election Day, he was in Tallahassee.

The New Yorker

The memoirs were bought by the Sat.

The New Yorker

Requests for Monday must be submitted by the Friday prior.

Columbia University

This was confirmed by the Thursday editions.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

By the Monday deadline, the figures will likely be higher.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the day" to illustrate a gradual but consistent change or progression. For instance, "The technology is improving by the day" effectively conveys continuous advancement.

Common error

Avoid using "by the day" when describing something that happens only once a day. Instead, use "daily" or specify the frequency more precisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the day" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the pace or manner in which something changes or progresses. It specifies that the change occurs incrementally on a daily basis. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by the day" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating gradual change over time. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. Predominantly used in news and media, it also appears in scientific and academic contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. When using "by the day", ensure it reflects continuous and incremental progression. Alternatives such as "day by day" or "on a daily basis" can be employed for similar meanings. Avoid using it to describe events that merely occur once per day.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

day by day

Reverses the order of the words, emphasizing the incremental nature of the change.

with each passing day

Emphasizes the continuous progression and accumulation of change.

on a daily basis

Highlights the regularity and frequency of the action.

as days go by

Focuses on the passage of time and the changes that occur during it.

over time

Provides a broader perspective on change without specifying the daily increment.

increasingly

Highlights the growing intensity or frequency of something.

gradually

Emphasizes the slow and progressive nature of the change.

little by little

Stresses the small increments of change accumulating over time.

with the passage of time

More formal way to indicate changes that occur as time advances.

as time progresses

Similar to "with the passage of time" but with a slightly different emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "by the day" in a sentence?

Use "by the day" to describe something that changes or progresses incrementally over time. For example, "My understanding of the topic grew "by the day" as I studied more."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "by the day"?

You can use alternatives such as "day by day", "on a daily basis", or "with each passing day" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "day by day" instead of "by the day"?

Yes, "day by day" is a valid alternative and often interchangeable with "by the day", although it may slightly emphasize the incremental nature of the change.

What's the difference between "by the day" and "daily"?

"By the day" describes a process of change or progression over time, while "daily" simply means occurring each day. For example, "the situation is worsening "by the day"" versus "I have a daily routine".