second day of the week

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "second day of the week" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the specific day that is considered the second in the sequence of the week, typically Monday in many cultures. Example: "In our project timeline, we will have our first meeting on the second day of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Robotic-assisted catheter ablation was performed on all PAF patients admitted on the second day of the week while patients attending on the first day and fourth day of the week underwent a standard catheter ablation.

Europace

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sunday, the first day of the week.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Paul's letters mention worship on the first day of the week.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wednesday The Oxford English Dictionary probably defines Wednesday as, 'The fourth day of the week; third day of the working week', and for me, there's something quite moving about that.

The Guardian - Tech

Early Christians moved their "day of rest" from the seventh day of the week to the first day, from Saturday to Sunday.

The Guardian - Opinion

A working fairy said the local mortals went there on the seventh day of the week to hear a sermon.

The New Yorker

In the West the Resurrection of Jesus was celebrated on the first day of the week, Sunday, when Jesus had risen from the dead.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bad things happen on the third day of the week – like the sacking of a city that can bring down an entire empire.

The Guardian - Sport

For a time the Romans used a period of eight days in civil practice, but in ad 321 Emperor Constantine established the seven-day week in the Roman calendar and designated Sunday as the first day of the week.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He joined the Dunkers in Pennsylvania (1724) but withdrew from them when he became convinced that the day of worship should be the seventh rather than the first day of the week.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They believe that this law was entirely abolished by Jesus Christ, whose Resurrection on the first day of the week established a new kind of day, characterized by worship rather than absence of work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is needed, replace the phrase "second day of the week" with "Monday" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Be aware that some cultures consider Sunday the first day of the week, while others consider Monday. Always clarify the context to avoid confusion when using the phrase "second day of the week".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second day of the week" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial to specify when an event occurs. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "second day of the week" is grammatically sound but rarely used in its explicit form, as it is usually replaced by the more common "Monday". Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable in written English.

While understandable across various contexts—including news, science, and encyclopedias—it lacks the frequency and directness of its simpler alternative. For clarity and brevity, opting for "Monday" is generally recommended, unless the context specifically benefits from emphasizing its ordinal position within the week. When precision is crucial, clarify the frame of reference (e.g., whether Sunday or Monday is considered the first day) to prevent potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Monday

Specifies the actual day instead of a relative description.

day two of the week

Simple numerical rephrasing of the phrase.

the week's second day

Inverts the structure while preserving meaning.

the day after Sunday

Describes the day in relation to another day of the week.

the second weekday

Focuses on the position within the work week, excluding weekends.

the second business day

Focuses on business operations instead of the week in general.

the beginning of the work week

Highlights the start of the working period.

start of the week

Emphasizes the commencing nature of the specified period.

a day early in the week

Indicates an unspecified but early day in the week.

one day after the weekend starts

Describes the day in relation to the start of the weekend.

FAQs

What is another way to say "second day of the week"?

You can simply say "Monday".

Is it better to say "Monday" or "second day of the week"?

In most contexts, using "Monday" is more direct and clear. The phrase "second day of the week" is usable when emphasizing its position in a weekly sequence, but could be seen as unnecesarily wordy.

Which cultures consider Monday as the "second day of the week"?

Many Western cultures that consider Sunday the first day of the week will consequently see Monday as the "second day of the week". However, usage and understanding can vary.

How can I ensure clarity when using the phrase "second day of the week"?

Specify the reference point, such as "In a Sunday-to-Saturday week, the second day is Monday" to avoid confusion.