on an arbitrary day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on an arbitrary day" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a day that is chosen without any specific reason or criteria, often in hypothetical or general contexts. Example: "The event can be scheduled on an arbitrary day, as long as all participants are available."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Before OC treatment, menstruating subjects (RM, CTR, oligomenorrheic athletes) were examined in the early follicular phase (menstrual cycle days 1 5), whereas amenorrheic athletes were investigated on an arbitrary day.

Human Reproduction

Therefore, we will test the possibility of that approach to simulate high-resolution optical satellite images on an arbitrary day of the growing season in a forested area.

Forest Ecosystems

The atmospherics surrounding volunteering (the whole First Family was involved, as was Vice-President Biden) can seem saccharine or even self-righteous but make no mistake: the fact that such volunteering is actually as widespread as it is, and not just on an arbitrary Day of Service, does say much about the American system and, indeed, our belief in the limits of government.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The first expert on the list wonders if an arbitrary day to simply raise awareness of data privacy is really necessary in 2019?

Forbes

I can't think of anything more Canadian than a bunch of polite people standing in an orderly line waiting their turn to half-appreciate, half-co-opt another culture for free on an arbitrary special day.

Vice

Me, a mature woman who is comfortable with who she is doesn't need validation on this arbitrary day defined by jewelry stores and greeting card companies.

Huffington Post

"You don't decide need based on an arbitrary line," Mr. Lee said.

The New York Times

Controlling migration should not be centred on an arbitrary, indiscriminate and unrealistic figure.

The Guardian

The mappings are constructed based on an arbitrary dynamical evolution of an arbitrary physical system.

SEP

David Cameron promises a referendum on an arbitrary timetable.

BBC

No wishy-washy conclusion based on an arbitrary numbering system, just a reliable buying recommendation.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on an arbitrary day" when you want to convey that a particular event or action can occur on any day without prior planning or specific significance. This emphasizes the randomness or lack of constraint in the timing.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily using the passive voice when employing "on an arbitrary day". For instance, instead of saying "The decision was made on an arbitrary day", opt for the more direct "They made the decision on an arbitrary day" to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on an arbitrary day" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action takes place. It specifies that the action occurs on a day chosen without any particular reason or system. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on an arbitrary day" serves as an adverbial phrase denoting that an event happens on a random, non-specific day. It is considered grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, but relatively rare in usage. Primarily found in scientific, news, and formal contexts, it communicates a sense of randomness or generality. When using this phrase, remember to avoid passive voice constructions for clarity. Alternatives include "on any given day" and "on a random day".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on any given day

Emphasizes the generality and lack of specificity of the day, similar to the original phrase.

on a random day

Highlights the randomness of the day's selection.

on a day selected at random

More explicitly states the random selection process.

on any day whatsoever

Stresses the lack of restriction or preference regarding the day.

on a nonspecific day

Focuses on the absence of specific qualities or requirements for the day.

on a particular day

While seemingly more specific, can be used to introduce a hypothetical or illustrative day, making it similar in function.

on some unspecified day

Emphasizes that the day has not been identified or determined.

on a day to be determined

Implies that the day will be chosen later, without current specification.

on such and such a day

Informal way of referring to a day without needing to specify it.

on a day that is not fixed

Highlights the flexibility and lack of commitment to a specific date.

FAQs

What does "on an arbitrary day" mean?

The phrase "on an arbitrary day" means on any day that is chosen randomly or without any specific reason or plan. It implies that the particular day is not important or predetermined.

How can I use "on an arbitrary day" in a sentence?

You can use "on an arbitrary day" to indicate that something could happen at any time. For example, "The inspection can occur "on any given day"." or "The data might be corrupted "on a random day"."

What are some alternatives to "on an arbitrary day"?

Alternatives include "on any given day", "on a random day", "on any day whatsoever", or "on a day selected at random". These phrases all convey the idea that the specific day does not matter.

Is it better to use "on an arbitrary day" or "on a specific day"?

The choice depends on the context. Use "on an arbitrary day" when the exact day is unimportant or random. Use "on a specific day" when you need to indicate a particular, predetermined day.