that day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that day" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a specific day or time period. For example: "I had a very busy day at work that day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were none that day.

The New York Times - Magazine

When will that day come?

The New York Times

We were disappointing that day.

BBC

But that day, it didn't.

Science Magazine

Did you miss that day?

Science Magazine

That day came Thursday.

Los Angeles Times

That day has come.

Los Angeles Times

"But that day it happened".

Los Angeles Times

"I swam underwater that day".

Los Angeles Times

(I chronicled that day here).

Los Angeles Times

Sunday was not that day.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that day" to clearly refer to a specific day already mentioned in the context. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "that day" without clearly establishing which day you are referring to. Ensure the context provides a clear reference to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that day" functions as a temporal demonstrative, specifying a particular day known or understood by the speaker and listener. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and grammatically sound. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its role in anchoring events in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science & Research

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that day" is a common and grammatically correct temporal phrase used to refer to a specific day already understood within the context. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely used in writing. Its primary function is to provide a clear temporal reference point, and it appears frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While it maintains a generally neutral register, ensure clarity by establishing a clear reference to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "on that occasion" or "at that time" for subtle shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on that occasion

Replaces "day" with "occasion", emphasizing a specific event rather than just the date.

the day in question

Highlights that a particular day is being discussed or investigated.

on the day in question

Similar to "the day in question" but includes the preposition "on".

at that time

Shifts the focus to a specific point in time, which may or may not be a full day.

the particular day

Emphasizes the specificity of the day being referred to.

on that specific date

Emphasizes the exact date when something occurred.

during those 24 hours

Specifies that a duration of 24 hours are being talked about.

during that period

Indicates a longer span of time compared to a single day.

the aforementioned day

Formally refers back to a day previously mentioned.

at the time

More generic temporal reference; could refer to a day or any other moment.

FAQs

How can I use "that day" in a sentence?

Use "that day" to refer to a specific day already mentioned or understood in the context. For example, "The meeting was scheduled for Monday. That day, however, I was unavailable".

What can I say instead of "that day"?

You can use alternatives like "on that occasion", "at that time", or "during that period", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in that day" instead of "that day"?

While "that day" is more common and generally preferred, "in that day" can be grammatically correct in certain contexts, though it may sound less natural. It's usually better to stick with "that day" for clarity.

What's the difference between "that day" and "the day"?

"That day" refers to a specific day already known or mentioned, while "the day" can refer to a general day or a day that will be clarified later in the sentence. For example, "The day I met her was unforgettable", while "That day, everything changed".