in their day

USAGE SUMMARY

"in their day" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to an event or period in the past, usually in the context of comparing it to the present. Example sentence: People used to dress much more formally in their day than they do now.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

All were famous in their day.

The New York Times

They don't have that prerogative in their day jobs.

The New York Times - Sports

Choice, diversity and competition were undoubtedly alluring in their day.

The Guardian

Beethoven and Stravinsky were considered aurally cacophonous in their day.

The Guardian - Music

They were nothing if not edgy in their day.

The New York Times

It isn't as good as in their day.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

What do people do in their day-to-day jobs?

Harvard Business Review

Be responsive to that in their day-to-day.

Forbes

The males defend small territories in their day-roosts with unique multiple-syllabic songs.

Science Magazine

Ultimately, utilities need a tool they can be using in their day-to-day operations.

TechCrunch

7M Participants frequently described a modification in their day-to-day behaviours.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their day" to draw a comparison between past and present conditions or achievements. This helps highlight changes and continuities over time.

Common error

Avoid using "in their day" when discussing current events or achievements. This phrase strictly refers to the past and is inappropriate for describing the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their day" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify a time period in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in contexts comparing past and present scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in their day" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that provides historical context by contrasting past conditions with the present. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively highlights changes and achievements over time. Predominantly found in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources, this phrase serves to emphasize the significance of past events and perspectives. When using "in their day", ensure it accurately reflects a comparison between past and present scenarios, and avoid its usage when discussing current events. Alternatives include "back in the day" and "in those days".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

back in the day

This alternative is more informal and nostalgic.

in those days

This alternative is a more literal and direct substitute.

during their time

This alternative emphasizes the period when they were active or relevant.

in their era

This alternative suggests a specific historical period or age.

when they were around

This alternative highlights their existence or presence during that time.

in their heyday

This alternative implies a period of peak success or popularity.

in their prime

This alternative suggests a period of optimal condition or performance.

in their generation

This alternative refers to the specific cohort of people they belonged to.

at that time

This alternative is a more general and less specific temporal reference.

in the past

This alternative is a very broad and general reference to a time before the present.

FAQs

How can I use "in their day" in a sentence?

You can use "in their day" to describe something that was common or significant in the past, such as "Cars were much simpler "in their day" than they are now."

What's a good alternative to "in their day"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "back in the day", "in those days", or "during their time" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "in their days" instead of "in their day"?

The phrase "in their day" is the standard and more common expression. While "in their days" might be understood, it's less idiomatic and less frequently used.

What is the difference between "in their day" and "nowadays"?

"In their day" refers to a period in the past, while "nowadays" refers to the present time. They are contrasting temporal references.