on the day itself

USAGE SUMMARY

"On the day itself" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the day an event is to take place, such as "On the day itself, the streets were lined with people eager to experience the parade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inclement conditions can also affect "walk-up" sales (people buying a one-day pass on the day itself).

The Guardian - Music

The men competing will prepare for days, and up to six hours on the day itself.

Vice

On the day itself, a video surfaced showing one anti-Black Pete activist violently being pushed into a bus and punched in the face by a policeman.

Vice

No pain medications were to be used 2 days before the scheduled evaluation date or on the day itself, with the exception of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (<350 mg/day) for cardiac protection.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

On the day itself, there was little doubt Pinochet was in charge.

The Guardian

Then, on the day itself, you wake up feeling twenty years younger".

The New Yorker

It didn't take long on the day itself for my worst fears to be confirmed.

The Guardian - Sport

But in recent years retailers have moved to open earlier and earlier, with many opening on the day itself.

The Guardian - Business

On the day itself, the Tories won 36% of the vote, Labour 29% and the Lib Dems 23%.

The Guardian

On the day itself, and not for the first time, he shows up for work as an addled wreck.

The New York Times - Books

On the day itself, we went to the main site, a narrow, sloping triangle of grass just below the church.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "on the day itself" with stronger synonyms like "that very day" to add emphasis or replace with the most descriptive temporal phrases when more precision is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "on the day itself" when the context already clearly indicates the specific day. For example, instead of saying "The event was chaotic on the day itself," simply say "The event was chaotic" if it's already understood you're referring to the event day.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the day itself" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the precise time an action or event occurs. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the day itself" functions as an adverbial phrase that emphasizes the specific timing of an event, often in contrast to prior expectations or preparations. Ludwig's analysis indicates it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, scientific, and business contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is a perfectly valid phrase in written English. While its register is generally neutral, care should be taken to avoid redundancy when the context already implies the specific day. Alternatives such as "that very day" can add emphasis or provide stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on that very day

Emphasizes the specific day more strongly.

on the actual day

Highlights the authenticity of the day in question.

on the appointed day

Implies a pre-arranged or scheduled day.

when the day arrived

Shifts the focus to the arrival of the day.

that particular day

Indicates a specific day previously mentioned or understood.

the very same day

Stresses the lack of any delay.

on the specific date

Emphasizes the calendrical aspect.

as the day unfolded

Focuses on the progression of events during the day.

upon the day in question

Adds a formal tone.

at that precise moment

Highlights a specific point in time within the day.

FAQs

How can I use "on the day itself" in a sentence?

You can use "on the day itself" to emphasize that something happened specifically on the particular day of an event or occasion. For example, "The weather was perfect "on the day itself", making the outdoor wedding a success."

What phrases are similar to "on the day itself"?

Similar phrases include "on that very day", "on the actual day", or "on the appointed day", depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "on the day itself" if the context already implies the specific day?

Yes, using "on the day itself" can be redundant if the context makes it clear you're referring to the event day. In such cases, it's best to omit the phrase for conciseness. For example, instead of "The ceremony "on the day itself" began promptly at noon," you can simply say "The ceremony began promptly at noon".

When is "on the day itself" most appropriately used?

The phrase "on the day itself" is most appropriate when you want to draw attention to what specifically occurred during an event or occasion, especially when contrasting it with preparations or expectations before that day. For example, "Despite weeks of planning, everything went wrong "on the day itself"."