the thursday before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the thursday before" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the Thursday that occurs immediately prior to a specific date or event. Example: "The meeting is scheduled for Friday, so we will need to finalize our plans by the Thursday before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was on the Thursday before Itai disappeared.

The Guardian

The Thursday before commencement is the deadline to enter spring grades via Faculty Center.

Cornell University

THE Thursday before, I received a telephone call from the children's school.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The summons from the president came without warning the Thursday before Labor Day.

The New York Times - Science

It was a gray day, the Thursday before the long weekend.

The New Yorker

The pair then missed the bus to training the Thursday before the final test in Sydney.

The New York Times - Sports

On the Thursday before the hanging, American military officials were summoned.

The New York Times

The Thursday before last, Mr. Ryan squired Ms. Martin to a performance of "Wonderful Town".

The New York Times

The Thursday before Eazy's announcement, Harrell had had an AIDS test, which turned out negative.

The New Yorker

A tricky match against Southampton awaits following a Europa League tie with Rubin Kazan on the Thursday before.

Independent

Bedford Hospital cancelled every routine operation scheduled for the Thursday before Christmas as medics struggled with demand.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the thursday before", ensure the context clearly establishes the event or date being referenced. This prevents ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the timeframe.

Common error

Avoid omitting the definite article 'the' before 'thursday'. Saying just 'thursday before' is grammatically incorrect and may confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the thursday before" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies when an action or event occurred in relation to another event. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the thursday before" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase for indicating a specific Thursday that precedes a particular event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and versatile. While its register is generally neutral, remember to provide sufficient context for clarity and avoid omitting the definite article "the". Consider using alternatives like "the preceding Thursday" in more formal settings. Be precise with your wording to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the preceding Thursday

Replaces 'before' with 'preceding' for a slightly more formal tone.

the Thursday prior

Substitutes 'before' with 'prior', maintaining the temporal relationship.

the Thursday beforehand

Uses 'beforehand' instead of 'before', emphasizing anticipation.

the Thursday leading up to

Emphasizes the period culminating in a specific event.

the Thursday immediately before

Adds 'immediately' to highlight the close proximity in time.

the Thursday just before

Adds 'just' to highlight the close proximity in time.

on the Thursday preceding

Starts with 'on', specifying the day, and uses 'preceding'.

the Thursday in advance of

Replaces 'before' with 'in advance of', for a more formal feel.

the Thursday that preceded

Adds 'that preceded', clarifying the temporal sequence.

the Thursday which preceded

Adds 'which preceded', clarifying the temporal sequence.

FAQs

How do I use "the thursday before" in a sentence?

Use "the thursday before" to specify a Thursday that immediately precedes a known event or date. For example, "The deadline is Friday, so the last day to submit is "the Thursday before"".

What's a formal alternative to "the thursday before"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "the preceding Thursday" or "the Thursday prior" instead of "the thursday before".

Is it correct to say just 'Thursday before' instead of "the thursday before"?

No, omitting the definite article 'the' is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Always use "the thursday before" to properly indicate a specific Thursday.

What's the difference between "the thursday before" and "last Thursday"?

"The thursday before" refers to the Thursday immediately preceding a specific event or date, whereas "last Thursday" refers to the most recent Thursday in relation to the current date.