on the very day

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the very day" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to a specific day, or an important day: I remember it like it was yesterday—on the very day my daughter was born, I watched the sun rise.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And on the very day -- on the very day when I cast that tie-breaking vote, you were out speaking at a fund raiser.

The New York Times

He died on the very day he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

The Guardian

We met on the very day that the report of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry was published.

The Guardian - Travel

Unfortunately, on the very day of his arrival, Lanyon died from injuries sustained in a gliding accident.

The Guardian

Sometimes ambulances are called to attend to people on the very day of their release from jail, he added.

The Guardian

But this Carnegie Hall concert on the very day Mr. Carter turned 100 was a milestone in music history.

The New York Times - Arts

In a bittersweet coincidence, the nominations for the 2018 award opened on the very day she passed away.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the very day Smith died, city residents voted down a 7.5 mill property tax designed to hire new officers.

The Guardian

In 1999, on the very day he finished the London biography, he suffered a massive heart attack.

The Guardian - Books

Kantrowitz, like Shumway, was preparing for his next attempt on the very day that Barnard shocked the world.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

At Budapest station he was seen off to Switzerland by his father on the very day that war was declared.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the very day" to underscore the immediacy or coincidence of events. For example, "On the very day the treaty was signed, fighting broke out."

Common error

Avoid using "on the very day" with redundant time references. For instance, don't say "On the very day of the anniversary," as "the very day" already implies a specific point in time. Instead use "On the very day of the event" or "That very day".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the very day" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something happened. It emphasizes the precise timing of an event, often highlighting its significance. Examples in Ludwig show it is commonly used to underscore the importance of a specific day.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the very day" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to emphasize the specific timing of an event. As indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and very common in various forms of writing. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase helps underscore the importance or coincidence of events occurring on a particular day. To use it effectively, avoid redundancy with other time references and leverage it to add impact to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that very day

Omits the preposition 'on', creating a slightly more direct phrasing.

on that specific day

Adds 'specific' for increased emphasis on a particular day.

on the exact same day

Emphasizes simultaneity and precision in timing.

on the selfsame day

Uses 'selfsame' for a more formal and emphatic tone.

the very same day

Reorders the phrase for a slightly different emphasis.

precisely on that day

Uses 'precisely' to highlight the accuracy of the timing.

the day itself

Focuses on the day as a significant entity.

upon that day

Uses 'upon' for a more formal or literary tone.

on the date in question

Emphasizes that a specific and already mentioned day is relevant.

at the moment of

Shifts focus to the precise moment rather than the entire day.

FAQs

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

Use "on the very day" to emphasize that something happened on a specific day, often unexpectedly or significantly. For example, "On the very day I decided to quit, I won the lottery."

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

Similar phrases include "that very day", "on that specific day", or "the very same day". These alternatives all highlight the exact timing of an event.

Is there a difference between "on the day" and "on the very day"?

"On the day" refers to a particular day, while "on the very day" emphasizes the immediacy or unexpected nature of an event occurring on that specific day. The addition of "very" adds emphasis.

Can "on the very day" be used for future events?

Yes, "on the very day" can refer to future events if the context implies certainty. For example, "On the very day the product launches, we expect high demand."