on this very day

USAGE SUMMARY

"on this very day" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when talking about something that will or has taken place on the current day or at the current moment. For example: "On this very day, the couple sealed their love with a kiss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Prompting us to look at what happened on THIS VERY DAY - but years ago -- we reminisce about hero-themed birthday parties, first steps and gap-toothed grins.

Huffington Post

At the final meeting of the President's Faith Council, the Reverend Otis Moss Jr, one of the lions of the civil rights movement, remarked: "On this very day fifty years ago, a group of young people gathered to launch the student sit-in movement in Atlanta.

Huffington Post

That happened on this very day.

The Guardian - Sport

On this very day, the group engaged in planting more perennials and shrubs alongside weeding.

Yale University

Last year, on this very day, Brussels was targeted by suicide bombers who killed 32 people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not to mention writing this very article on this very day.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

It gave me a discipline that I've always been able to fall back on to this very day.

HuffPost

From that moment on, and to this very day, I've been kindasorta obsessed with Little Deuce Coupes, chopped and channeled tuck 'n' roll Mercs, Caddy bullet taillights, fuel dragsters, Big Daddy Roth, George Barris, flat black, and candy apple red.

Huffington Post

He's still got a record store on Ridley Road Market to this very day.

The Guardian - Music

The result, with artist Neal Adams, was a multi-year run that established a dark, psychologically-driven take on Bruce Wayne that continues to this very day.

Huffington Post

One can imagine the two men on the phone on this very Sunday morning, cussing and teasing each other about who came out looking better in the prose and the pictures, laughing at the New York writers who tried to get them "on the couch," and then moving on to spin the globe - their way.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on this very day" to add emphasis or a sense of occasion when referring to something happening today, especially when linking it to a past event or anniversary.

Common error

Avoid using "on this very day" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or dramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "today" or "now" in less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on this very day" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the time of an action or event. It emphasizes that something is happening on the current date. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on this very day" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to emphasize the significance of the current date, often in connection to past events. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial phrase and is typically found in neutral to formal contexts like news articles, academic papers, and business communications. While alternatives like "today" exist, "on this very day" provides a more emphatic and often commemorative tone. Be mindful of its formality and avoid overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

today

Shorter and more general term for the current day.

this day

Slightly less emphatic than the original phrase.

this particular day

Adds emphasis on the uniqueness of the day.

on the current day

More formal and less common alternative.

on this date

Emphasizes the specific calendar date.

as of today

Indicates a starting point or a change effective from the current day.

at this moment

Focuses more on the present time rather than the specific date.

the present day

Highlights the current era or time period.

in the present moment

Focuses on the immediate experience rather than a specific date.

this very instant

Emphasizes the immediacy and precision of the current moment.

FAQs

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

Use "on this very day" to emphasize the significance of an event occurring today, especially when drawing a parallel to a past event or anniversary. For example, "On this very day, ten years ago, the treaty was signed".

What are some alternatives to "on this very day"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "today", "this day", or "at this moment" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of emphasis.

Is it redundant to say "on this very day"?

While "today" conveys the same basic meaning, "on this very day" adds emphasis and can create a sense of importance or connection to a particular date, making it suitable for formal or commemorative contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "on this very day" instead of "today"?

Use "on this very day" when you want to highlight the specific date and perhaps draw attention to a historical event or anniversary that shares the same date. "Today" is more general and suitable for everyday use.