from one day to the next

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'from one day to the next' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that happened or is happening regularly or habitually over a period of time. For example: "I seemed to be learning something new from one day to the next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I don't know what's going on from one day to the next".

The New York Times

People here live from one day to the next".

The New York Times

"It won't be from one day to the next.

The Guardian

Things changed from one day to the next.

The New York Times - Magazine

It can be over from one day to the next.

The Guardian - Opinion

"With old people, maybe they don't see anyone from one day to the next.

The Guardian - Tech

There were no measurable changes in the poll findings from one day to the next.

The New York Times

The bricks gave out abruptly, as if construction had ceased from one day to the next.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

So we men stagger on, not knowing who we are from one day to the next.

BBC

Lately, I'm finding it harder to remember what I've done from one day to the next.

Huffington Post

Leave the tip daily; housekeepers may change from one day to the next.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "from one day to the next" to emphasize the unpredictable or rapidly changing nature of a situation. This phrase adds a sense of immediacy and highlights the lack of certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "from one day to the next" when describing gradual or long-term changes. This phrase is best suited for situations where changes are relatively sudden or unexpected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from one day to the next" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or frequency of an action or state. It typically emphasizes the unpredictable or rapidly changing nature of events. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "from one day to the next" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the unpredictable or rapidly changing nature of events. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and business writing. When using the phrase, ensure that it reflects the intended meaning of sudden change rather than gradual progression. Remember to consider alternatives like "day by day" or "overnight" to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from day to day

Similar meaning, but emphasizes the incremental nature of the change.

from one moment to the next

Emphasizes unpredictability and very rapid changes.

day by day

Focuses on the gradual progression or change happening each day.

on a daily basis

Highlights the routine or regularity of something occurring each day.

overnight

Emphasizes the suddenness of a change, happening in a single night.

all of a sudden

Emphasizes the abrupt and unexpected nature of an occurrence.

in short order

Implies that something will happen quickly or soon.

without warning

Focuses on the unexpected nature of an event.

in rapid succession

Highlights that events occur quickly and one after another.

at any moment

Suggests that something is imminent and could happen very soon.

FAQs

How can I use "from one day to the next" in a sentence?

You can use "from one day to the next" to describe situations that change rapidly or unpredictably. For example, "The company's policies seemed to change "from one day to the next", making it difficult to keep up."

What are some alternatives to "from one day to the next"?

Alternatives include "day by day", "overnight", or "from day to day" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "from day to day" or "from one day to the next"?

Both phrases are correct, but "from one day to the next" often implies a more sudden or unexpected change than "from day to day", which can suggest a more gradual progression.

What does "from one day to the next" mean?

It means that something is subject to frequent or unpredictable changes; something is not stable or consistent. It suggests a lack of predictability in a situation.