olden days

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "olden days" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to times in the past, especially long ago. Example sentence: Wishing for the days of olden, the young man longed for a simpler life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

In olden days".

The New Yorker

Like in the olden days".

Independent

But enough about olden days.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In olden days time was true.

The New Yorker

In the olden days, people worshipped them".

The New Yorker

REMEMBER the olden days of 2005, gentle reader?

The Economist

In the olden days, bargains added spice to life.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Tells about Silver Dollar City, which is a hillbilly-crafts-and-olden days theme park.

The New Yorker

There are items that would fit in an olden-days department store.

The New York Times

Reading the Beverly Hills Courier puts me in a sweet, olden-days frame of mind.

The New Yorker

Back in the olden days of gaming, it was either feast or famine.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "olden days" to evoke a sense of nostalgia or to contrast the past with the present.

Common error

While "olden days" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing, as it can sound antiquated or overly sentimental. Opt for more neutral terms like "past" or "previous eras" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "olden days" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to indicate a time period in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is acceptable and used across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "olden days" is a grammatically sound noun phrase widely used to refer to past times, often carrying a nostalgic connotation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is acceptable in English, with a tendency towards neutral formality. It appears most frequently in news and media, followed by Wiki sources. When writing, it's best to use it to evoke a sense of nostalgia or contrast the past with the present, while avoiding overuse in formal contexts where more neutral terms might be more appropriate. Alternatives include "past times" or "former times".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

old times

Slightly less formal than "olden days" but carries a similar meaning.

former times

Simply refers to a period before the present, without specific connotations.

past times

A more general term indicating any time before the present.

bygone era

Focuses on a past period characterized by specific features or events.

days of yore

Implies a distant and often romanticized past.

ancient times

Refers to a period very far back in history.

good old days

Conveys nostalgia and a positive sentiment about the past.

previous epoch

Suggests a formal and historical reference to a past period.

early years

Implies the beginning stages of something in the past.

historical period

A neutral and objective term for a defined time in the past.

FAQs

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

You can use "olden days" to refer to a past time, often with a nostalgic or romantic connotation. For example, "In the "olden days", people communicated through letters rather than email."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "olden days"?

Similar phrases include "past times", "days of yore", and "former times". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it appropriate to use "olden days" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "olden days" can sound informal or sentimental. In formal writing, consider using more neutral terms like "past eras" or "previous times".

What's the difference between "olden days" and "good old days"?

"Olden days" simply refers to times in the past. "Good old days", on the other hand, specifically evokes a sense of nostalgia and positive memories about the past.