certain days

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain days" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific, but not explicitly defined, days in a general context. Example: "I usually go for a run on certain days of the week when I have more free time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I miss my dad every day, but certain days, like birthdays and holidays, are even tougher.

Huffington Post

They're limited to certain days – three days a week – and not market day.

The Guardian

Certain days this is our only accompaniment.

The New York Times

"On certain days it can be pretty rough".

The New York Times

Perhaps not always but on certain days, yes.

The New York Times - Arts

Nobody, it seems, except Mark Morris, on certain days.

The New Yorker

And on certain days the can of paraffin was empty.

The New Yorker

Snowdon Sherpa S2 open-top bus between Betws-y-Coed and Llandudno on certain days.

The Guardian - Travel

"They had their fascist marches on certain days and we were not allowed to play out.

The Guardian

They debated why the bridge was lighted only on certain days.

The New York Times - Style

"There can be alternative content, other events certain days of the week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain days", ensure the context clarifies what makes those days distinct or relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "certain days" without providing enough context. Be clear about which days you're referring to, either explicitly or through context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain days" functions as a determiner + noun construction. It specifies particular instances of 'days' without explicitly defining which ones, relying on context for clarity, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain days" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to specific, though often unspecified, days. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using "certain days", ensure the context provides enough clarity about which days are being referenced to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "specific days" or "particular days" can be used for a more definite selection. The phrase appears frequently in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific days

Replaces "certain" with "specific", indicating a more definite selection of days.

particular days

Uses "particular" instead of "certain", conveying a similar meaning of distinct days.

designated days

Substitutes "certain" with "designated", implying days that have been officially chosen.

select days

Employs "select" in place of "certain", suggesting a careful choice of days.

specified days

Similar to "designated", but emphasizes the act of specifying the days.

some days

Uses "some" instead of "certain", offering a less precise designation of days.

agreed-upon days

Highlights that the days have been agreed upon by multiple parties.

scheduled days

Focuses on the fact that the days are included in a schedule.

occasional days

Replaces "certain" with "occasional", implying that the days are not frequent or regular.

fixed days

Implies that the days are unchangeable and set in advance.

FAQs

What does "certain days" mean?

The phrase "certain days" refers to specific, but often unspecified, days. The exact days are usually understood from context.

What can I say instead of "certain days"?

You can use alternatives like "specific days", "particular days", or "designated days" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "certain days" or "specific days"?

Both "certain days" and "specific days" are correct. "Specific days" implies a clearer, more definite selection, while "certain days" can be slightly more vague but equally acceptable.

How do I use "certain days" in a sentence?

Use "certain days" to refer to particular days that are relevant to the topic. For example, "The museum is free on certain days of the week".