ominous day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ominous day" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a day that feels threatening or foreboding, often in a literary or dramatic context. Example: "As the storm clouds gathered on the horizon, it became clear that it was going to be an ominous day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

On a brisk, gray and ominous day, the Miami Hurricanes needed four field goals and a fluky touchdown by the defense to escape New England with their undefeated record.

The New York Times - Sports

Anyone who doubts the significance of this factor, need only consult an ABC exit poll conducted on that ominous day, Nov. 8, 2016.

Huffington Post

On the evidence to date, the past described in Woodward's new book, "Fear," is prologue for that ominous day when no one remains to constrain Trump's excesses.

Huffington Post

Eliot agrees that it was a bad but not ominous day for the conservative agenda, since only the jobs issue will matter in 2012.

Huffington Post

As the ominous day of the 10th anniversary of 9-11 passes, many in the world are sensing a great weight lifted from the shoulders and spirit.

Huffington Post

I'll never forget one ominous day in October of 1973, when my best friend Scott, whose father was head of American Military Intelligence in Germany, told me that American troops had been put on "alert".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The third round was played under a low ceiling of clouds, with an ominous Sunday weather forecast turning the day a deeper shade of gray.

The New York Times - Sports

And how are you this fine, ominous, drizzly day?" Luckily he responded, and we were pen pals for about a month.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

JOHANNESBURG — Ten days after Zimbabwe voted and by most accounts rejected its long-serving, autocratic president, Robert Mugabe, the mood of the country grew more ominous on Tuesday.

The New York Times

On a damp, ominous final Friday in 1987, Lori McNeil duffed an approach shot that would have put Steffi Graf in big trouble in their semifinal, and McNeil never recovered.

The New York Times - Sports

INSIDE PITCH TERRY COLLINS started.130-hitting Collin Cowgill in center field because he was 3 for 3 against SCOTT DIAMOND....An ominous forecast for Sunday — rain all day, according to Collins — could force the Mets to return here for a makeup game later in the season.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ominous day" to set a tone of suspense or anticipation of negative events in your writing. It's particularly effective at the beginning of a narrative to foreshadow upcoming challenges or dangers.

Common error

Avoid using "ominous day" to describe mildly unpleasant situations. This phrase carries a strong connotation of impending doom, and its overuse can diminish its impact. Reserve it for truly foreboding scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ominous day" functions as an adjective-noun combination, modifying the noun "day" with the adjective "ominous". This describes the day's atmosphere or character, suggesting a sense of impending threat or negativity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ominous day" effectively conveys a sense of foreboding or impending doom. Grammatically correct and primarily found in news and media contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to establish a mood of suspense or anticipation. While "ominous day" isn't exceedingly common, it is an appropriate expression for describing days with perceptible signs of potential negativity. Alternatives such as "foreboding day" or "threatening day" offer similar connotations. Remember to reserve this potent phrase for truly foreboding scenarios to maintain its impact. Ludwig AI analysis indicates the phrase is used correctly and is appropriate for the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreboding day

Replaces "ominous" with a synonym, maintaining the same structure and meaning.

ill-fated day

Substitutes "ominous" with "ill-fated", emphasizing a predetermined negative outcome.

threatening day

Uses "threatening" instead of "ominous", highlighting the potential for danger.

inauspicious day

Replaces "ominous" with "inauspicious", indicating a lack of favorable signs or prospects.

dark day

Uses "dark" to evoke a sense of gloom and foreboding, differing slightly in tone.

ominous occasion

Substitutes "day" with "occasion", broadening the timeframe while retaining the negative feeling.

a day of ill omen

Rephrases the original to emphasize the "ill omen" associated with the day.

a day heavy with foreboding

Emphasizes the feeling of foreboding, making the phrase more descriptive.

ill-boding day

A more archaic and literary substitute for "ominous day".

a day filled with dread

Focuses on the emotional impact of the day, highlighting the feeling of "dread".

FAQs

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

You can use "ominous day" to describe a day that seems threatening or foreboding. For example: "As the storm clouds gathered, it became clear it was going to be an ominous day."

What can I say instead of "ominous day"?

You can use alternatives like "foreboding day", "ill-fated day", or "threatening day" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "ominous day"?

The phrase "ominous day" is most appropriately used when describing a day where there are signs or feelings that something bad is going to happen. It's often used in literature to create suspense.

What makes a day "ominous"?

A day becomes "ominous" when there are perceptible signs, events, or feelings that suggest something negative or threatening is likely to occur. This could include weather events, unsettling news, or a general sense of dread.