it was a cloudy day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a cloudy day" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the weather conditions on a particular day, often to set a mood or context in a narrative. Example: "As I stepped outside, I noticed that it was a cloudy day, which matched my somber mood perfectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It was a cloudy day but outfielder Ryan Church walked in wearing sunglasses, his eyes still sensitive to light two days after he sustained a Grade 2 concussion.

The New York Times

It was a cloudy day and looked as if it might pour down any minute, but I disregarded the weather and went over and sat on a bench under the big old elm in the northwest corner of Washington Square and opened one of Gould's composition books.

The New Yorker

AOD data could not be included for 11 May 2009, as it was a cloudy day. Figure 8 Daily values of AOD as measured by MODIS during May 2011 and 2009.

Earth, Planets and Space

"It was a cloudy day, definitely going to rain," he said.

The New York Times

It was a cloudy day, so the room was dark except for the blue glow of a video that showed a performance at the spring playing on an endless loop on her otherwise never-watched television.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was a cloudy day, and the city's skyline was indistinct, but we could just make out its museums and churches, the spires of the Schloss, and the dome of the Frauenkirche.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It's like when it is a cloudy day and you still get sun-burned, well, that is the ultraviolet light".

The New York Times

(Filings for a separate class-action case included code words used to indicate a surprise inspection, such as "It's a cloudy day" or that a "load of cinder blocks" had arrived).

The New Yorker

And sometimes they get to the top only to discover it's a cloudy day.

Huffington Post

But sometimes when it's a cloudy day, or in winter when it's gray, we're tempted to skip the sun protection because, um, it appears we don't really need it.

Huffington Post

It's a cloudy day in May, and I am visiting Jared Diamond in his neo-Georgian house near UCLA.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was a cloudy day" to set a specific mood or atmosphere in your writing. The phrase can evoke feelings of tranquility, melancholy, or anticipation, depending on the context.

Common error

While "it was a cloudy day" is a simple and clear description, avoid relying on it too often. Try to incorporate more sensory details, such as the color of the clouds or the quality of light, to make your descriptions more vivid and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a cloudy day" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing the weather conditions. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound and commonly used to set the scene or mood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Huffington Post

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was a cloudy day" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe weather conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, setting scenes or conveying a specific mood. While versatile, writers should avoid overusing it and consider more descriptive alternatives to enhance their writing. The phrase is generally considered neutral in formality and its related phrases, such as "it was an overcast day", offer similar descriptive options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was an overcast day

Replaces "cloudy" with "overcast", maintaining the same meaning of a sky covered in clouds.

the sky was overcast

Simplifies the sentence by directly stating the sky condition.

the sky was filled with clouds

Focuses on the visual aspect of the sky being covered with clouds, changing the sentence structure.

it was a grey day

Uses "grey" as a synonym for cloudy, emphasizing the dullness of the day.

the sun was hidden by clouds

Explains the reason for the lack of sunlight, providing more detail.

it was a dull day

Emphasizes the lack of brightness and vibrancy on the day.

the weather was gloomy

Shifts the focus to the overall feeling or atmosphere created by the weather.

it was a sunless day

Directly states the absence of sun, giving a stronger sense of the weather condition.

the day was darkened by clouds

Highlights how the clouds affected the brightness of the day.

it was a day heavy with clouds

Adds a sense of oppressiveness or weight to the cloudy conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "it was a cloudy day" in a sentence?

You can use "it was a cloudy day" to describe the weather or to set the scene in a narrative. For example, "It was a cloudy day, which made the park less crowded than usual".

What can I say instead of "it was a cloudy day"?

You can use alternatives like "it was an overcast day", "the sky was filled with clouds", or "it was a grey day".

Is it correct to say "it was a cloud day" instead of "it was a cloudy day"?

No, the correct and more common phrase is "it was a cloudy day". "Cloudy" is an adjective that describes the presence of clouds, whereas "cloud day" is not standard English.

What connotations does the phrase "it was a cloudy day" carry?

The phrase often suggests a lack of brightness and can be associated with feelings of gloom, introspection, or peace, depending on the context. It's less direct than saying "it was a sunny day" or "it was a dark day".