on a day when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a day when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify a particular day in relation to an event or situation being discussed. Example: "On a day when the sun was shining brightly, we decided to have a picnic in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

On a day when most financial services stocks fell, Lehman was one of the biggest decliners.

The New York Times

Shares of OSI declined $7.81, to $55.88, on a day when many biotechnology stocks fell.

The New York Times

As it happens, that selling came on a day when the Nasdaq rose.

The New York Times

The announcement came on a day when two drivers fell victim to violent crime.

The New York Times

That was all on a day when it also scored a cover story in TIME magazine.

The New York Times

The numbers were astounding, especially on a day when the broad market drifted lower.

The New York Times

Then it announced the decision, on a day when embarrassing immigration figures were coming out.

The Guardian

It turned out it was on a day when humidity wasn't all that bad.

The New York Times

His calm conversions were invaluable on a day when neither offense established any kind of rhythm.

The Guardian - Sport

The authorities said the boys died on a day when temperatures exceeded 90 degrees.

The New York Times

"On a day when it was difficult being out there at all, he's just so energetic".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a day when" to clearly establish a temporal relationship between an event and the specific conditions or circumstances present on that day. This helps provide context and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "on a day when" for simple statements of fact. Simpler constructions like "that day" or "one day" are often more appropriate when the surrounding circumstances aren't critical to the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a day when" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a temporal adjunct. It modifies a clause by specifying the time or circumstances under which the action or state described in the clause occurs. As supported by Ludwig, the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on a day when" serves as a versatile temporal phrase that provides context by linking events to specific conditions of a day. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used, especially in News & Media. While the phrase is widely acceptable, be mindful of simpler alternatives when the context doesn't require specific detailing. Using alternatives such as "on that day" or "during the day that" helps maintain clarity and conciseness in writing. Remember, context is key to impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the day that

A more explicit and slightly more formal way of specifying a particular day.

on that day

Directly indicates a specific day, losing the contextual nuance of 'when' something else happened.

during the day that

Emphasizes the duration of the day in relation to the event.

when that day arrived

Adds a sense of anticipation or arrival to the specified day.

on which day

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to specify a day.

at the time when

Shifts the focus to a specific point in time within the day.

as the day occurred

Highlights the unfolding of events throughout the day.

given the day's circumstances

Focuses on the conditions or events that characterized the day.

considering the events of that day

Emphasizes reflection on the day's occurrences.

in light of that particular day

Indicates that the day's events influence the current perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "on a day when" in a sentence?

Use "on a day when" to provide context by linking a specific event to the conditions or circumstances of that day. For example: "The stock market crashed "on a day when" several major companies announced losses."

What phrases are similar to "on a day when"?

Similar phrases include "on that day", "during the day that", or "at the time when", each offering a slightly different nuance in specifying the time or context.

Is it ever better to use a simpler phrase instead of "on a day when"?

Yes, if the circumstances of the day are not particularly relevant to the main point, simpler options like "that day" or "one day" may be more concise and effective.

Can "on a day when" be used to describe a hypothetical situation?

While typically used to describe actual events, "on a day when" can also introduce hypothetical or imagined scenarios, such as: "On a day when pigs fly, I might believe that."