for like a day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for like a day" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal.
You can use it to express a duration of approximately one day, often in casual conversation or writing. Example: "I was feeling really tired for like a day after the long trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

One time, in late November, he slept for like a day and a half straight, waking up pale and with tremors.

The New York Times

"I still go once a week to sign checks in the city, and check in, because we have an office in the city — just for, like, a day," she says.

The New York Times

"I got a Pikachu!" I was the most popular kid on set for like a day.

TechCrunch

Which is fine for, like, a day — and then almost immediately annoying.

TechCrunch

Yeah, for like a day, but then I'll find a new hobby, like gardening or stamp collecting.

TechCrunch

Tfw you're a woman and forget to check Tinder for like a day.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

So this Halloween, no nurses or fairy princesses or naughty schoolgirls (save those for, like, a Tuesday).

Vice

The other thing I did was start tutoring, one-on-one for basketball, sort of like an SAT tutor".

The New York Times

Tim Tebow spent the last three months practicing, protecting punters, waiting, smiling, laughing, waiting, practicing, running, throwing, working out and waiting some more, all for a night like Monday, a day like Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

Five minutes later, I was overcome with guilt for treating the solo like a day at the beach.

The New York Times

He opted not to go for a like-for-like replacement in Sunday's 1-1 dragainstnst Italy, with Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta and David Silva the Spanish players operating furthest up the pitch.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for like a day", ensure the surrounding text maintains a consistent level of informality to avoid jarring the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "for like a day" in formal reports, academic papers, or business communications. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives such as "for approximately a day" or "for a 24-hour period".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for like a day" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating duration. It specifies the length of time an action or state occurs, expressing an approximate period of one day. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for like a day" is an informal adverbial phrase used to indicate a short, indefinite duration of approximately one day. Ludwig confirms it's grammatically correct but advises using it primarily in casual settings. While common in news, media, and social media contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal or academic writing, opting for more precise alternatives such as "for approximately a day" or "briefly" depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for about a day

Replaces "like" with "about" for slightly more precision.

for around a day

Employs "around" to indicate an estimated duration.

for roughly a day

Substitutes "like" with "roughly", maintaining a casual approximation.

for approximately a day

Uses "approximately" for a more formal and precise tone.

for a day or so

Adds "or so" for a more relaxed and less definite timeframe.

for close to a day

Indicates a duration nearing a full day.

for nearly a day

Similar to "close to a day", emphasizing the near completion of a day.

for a 24-hour period

Provides a more specific and technical duration.

for one day

Removes the approximation for a definite statement of duration.

briefly

Uses a single word to indicate a short duration.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "for like a day" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can replace "for like a day" with phrases such as "for approximately a day", "for about a day", or "for a 24-hour period".

Is "for like a day" grammatically correct?

Yes, "for like a day" is grammatically correct, although it is considered informal. It's best used in casual conversation rather than formal writing.

What's a simple substitute for "for like a day"?

A simple substitute for "for like a day" is "briefly", which conveys the idea of a short duration.

When should I avoid using "for like a day"?

Avoid using "for like a day" in professional or academic writing, where a more precise or formal expression of time is generally preferred. Consider alternatives like "for approximately a day" instead.