on different days

USAGE SUMMARY

"on different days" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two or more times/days that are not the same. For example: We had practice on different days last week - Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In one area they asked people to put their recycling bins on different days.

The Guardian

Different centers deliver on different days.

The New York Times

The two facets emerged on different days.

The New York Times

Different birds appeared on different days of the week.

The New Yorker

Newspapers I read different papers on different days.

The Guardian

I've stopped by on different days, morning and evening.

The New York Times - Arts

I think there were two pairs of photos taken on different days.

Harvard University

Rosie O'Donnell and Bill Cosby, among others, came to the trial on different days.

The New York Times

Competing in three Alpine skiing events on different days, he won them all by large margins.

The New York Times - Sports

"Of course, I wish it would come on different days," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Or the healthy breath samples could have been collected in a different room on different days.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events, clarify which activities occur "on different days" to avoid confusion. For example, "Registration and orientation will be held on the 1st, with workshops and team-building activities scheduled on different days throughout the week."

Common error

Avoid using "on different days" when you mean to say "every other day" or "alternate days". "On different days" simply means not on the same day, not necessarily a structured schedule.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on different days" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb by specifying when an action occurs. It indicates that events or activities do not take place on the same day. Ludwig confirms this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “on different days” is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that clarifies the timing of events or activities. According to Ludwig, it indicates that these events occur on separate, non-identical days. This phrase is versatile, fitting comfortably into scientific reports, news articles, and everyday conversations, maintaining a neutral tone. While alternatives like "on separate days" or "at various times" exist, it's crucial to avoid confusion with phrases denoting structured schedules like “every other day”. With a strong presence in both scientific and news contexts, “on different days” remains a reliable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on separate days

Replaces 'different' with 'separate', emphasizing the distinctness of the days.

on distinct days

Replaces 'different' with 'distinct', highlighting the individuality of each day.

on other days

A more general way to refer to days that are not the current day or those previously mentioned.

at various times

Shifts the focus from specific days to general times, suggesting a less structured schedule.

on alternate days

Implies a regular, alternating pattern, which is more specific than just 'different days'.

at different times of the week

Specifies that the variation occurs within a week's timeframe.

on non-consecutive days

Emphasizes that the days are not following one after another.

on different occasions

Broadens the scope from just days to any event or instance.

at irregular intervals

Indicates that the timing is not predictable or consistent.

on sporadic days

Suggests that the occurrence is infrequent and unpredictable.

FAQs

How can I use "on different days" in a sentence?

You can use "on different days" to indicate that events or activities occur on separate days. For instance, "The garbage and recycling are collected "on different days"."

What's a synonym for "on different days"?

Alternatives to "on different days" include "on separate days", "at various times", or "on alternate days".

Is it correct to say "in different days" instead of "on different days"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "different days" is "on". Saying "in different days" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "on different days" and "on consecutive days"?

"On different days" means that events happen on non-identical days, while "on consecutive days" means they happen on successive days, such as Monday and Tuesday.