in early days

USAGE SUMMARY

"in early days" is correct and is used in written English.
It is often used to indicate a time in the past. For example: "In early days, Egyptians believed the river Nile was a source of life and abundance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Played with Beebe Daniels in comedies in early days.

The New Yorker

Forcing more power from engines reduced the reliability we enjoyed in early days.

The New York Times

That means easy-to-comprehend apps like fitness tracking and notifications will win out in early days.

The Guardian

The laser equipment of today has gradually evolved from those used in early days.

Fashion and Textiles

This finding established the hypothesis that gut microbiota contributes to the initiation and development of CRC in early days.

Protein & Cell

Economic indicator had once been an index to evaluate the severity of the fault in early days.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Cash them in tomorrow.

WikiHow

(The largest plurality of justices over all, 44, attended no law school, since one could practice law in early days without a degree).

The New York Times

They claim that Greece is only in early days of austerity, and that as the pain mounts, so too will the unrest.

The New York Times

In February 1862 Maj.

The New York Times

"I went there in summer in 2004.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in early days" to emphasize a contrast between past conditions and current circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "in early days" when referring to major, clearly defined historical periods like 'In early days of the Roman Empire.' Instead, specify the period directly: 'During the early Roman Empire'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in early days" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating when something occurred. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it sets a temporal context, often contrasting with the present.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in early days" is a prepositional phrase used to refer to a time in the past, often contrasting it with the present. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, although less common than other similar phrases. It appears most frequently in news and media and scientific sources. When writing, consider using it to set a historical context or highlight changes over time, but be mindful of overuse with well-known historical periods. Alternatives such as "in the beginning" or "formerly" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the beginning

This alternative emphasizes the initial stage or starting point.

in the old days

Indicates a more distant or nostalgic past.

in the initial stages

This phrase specifies that the time frame is within the first phases of something.

at the start

Emphasizes the very beginning of a process or period.

formerly

This single word conveys the idea of a previous time or state.

in its infancy

This alternative is especially useful when the subject is something relatively recent in origin.

in bygone times

This phrase uses more formal and archaic language to refer to the past.

in previous times

Uses more neutral language when referring to the past.

back then

Refers to a specific time in the past that has already been mentioned or is understood from context.

in the past

This is a more general way to refer to a time before the present.

FAQs

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

You can use "in early days" to refer to a time in the past, especially when comparing it to the present. For example: "In early days, communication was much slower than it is today."

What phrases are similar to "in early days"?

Similar phrases include "in the beginning", "in the past", or "formerly".

Is "in early days" formal or informal?

"In early days" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "previously" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "in early days" and "in the old days"?

"In early days" generally refers to the initial period of something, while "in the old days" suggests a more distant or nostalgic past.