in better days

USAGE SUMMARY

"in better days" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time that was or will be better than the current time in terms of circumstances or conditions. Example sentence: "In better days, we used to go on family vacations every year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

In better days, it seemed a stretch.

The New York Times

Even in better days, the local habit has been to assume limits, dare low.

The New York Times - Books

Yes, swaps are contractual arrangements that were agreed to in better days.

The New York Times

On Friday, the Royalton, which pulled in over $350 a room in better days, was asking $209.95.

The New York Times - Style

The author could imagine it in better days, wrapped in a napkin with a silver cheese scoop imbedded in it.

The New Yorker

So they shifted gears, talking about Greg's life and looking at photos of him in better days.

The New York Times

In better days, as many as 3,000 Iraqis worked at the port, which now employs barely 150.

The New York Times

In better days, a savvy customer would grab a salad bowl and fill that larger vessel with dessert.

The Guardian - Opinion

In better days, they extracted a predictable 50 grams of manioc and 20 Congolese francs (5 cents) per person.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I am a retired Foreign Service officer who served at the United States Embassy in Kabul in somewhat better days, 1978 to 1980.

The New York Times

The downtown area did, in fact, arrive, and in its better days was known as the City of a Thousand Stores.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes what aspects were 'better' in the past. For example, "In better days, the city park was full of families."

Common error

Avoid using "in better days" when you actually intend to convey hope for future improvement. "In better days" reflects on a past state, not a future aspiration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in better days" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by providing information about the time when something occurred or existed. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in better days" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to contrast a past period with more favorable conditions against the present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with neutral formality, suitable for various writing styles. When using "in better days", ensure that the context is clear about which aspects were better in the past and avoid mixing it up with hopeful expressions for the future.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in happier times

Focuses more on emotional well-being and positive experiences of the past.

in more prosperous times

Emphasizes financial success and economic stability during that period.

in more successful years

Highlights achievements and accomplishments that occurred in the past.

in former glory days

Suggests a significant decline from a previous state of prominence and excellence.

in the past

A general phrase indicating something happened previously without specifying the quality of that time.

back in the day

An informal way to refer to a time in the past, typically associated with nostalgia.

in previous times

A more generic way to refer to earlier periods, lacking the specific connotation of improvement.

in earlier times

Similar to 'in previous times' but can emphasize the distance from the present.

once upon a time

Suggests a distant past, often used in storytelling and fairy tales.

formerly

A simple adverb indicating a past state or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "in better days" in a sentence?

You can use "in better days" to contrast a past, more favorable situation with the current one. For example, "In better days, the company had a much larger budget for research and development".

What phrases are similar to "in better days"?

Similar phrases include "in happier times", "in more prosperous times", and "back in the day". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "back in better days"?

While not ungrammatical, "back in better days" is slightly redundant. The phrase "in better days" already implies a past time. Sticking to just "in better days" is more concise and generally preferred.

Can "in better days" refer to the future?

No, "in better days" typically refers to a time in the past that was more favorable than the present. To refer to a hoped-for future improvement, use phrases like "in the future", "someday", or "when things improve".