the very day

USAGE SUMMARY

"the very day" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular day or a day with special significance. For example: "We left the city on the very day of the earthquake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Roger must have bought it the very day he died.

The New York Times - Magazine

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

I focus on the date of the e-mail: the very day he was involuntarily committed.

MIT Technology Review

– the very day that The Social Network premiered in the US.

The Guardian - Opinion

Piutau turned 24 the very day his erstwhile team-mates raised the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

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

The Guardian

"The very day after, he told his family he wanted to go into the military.

The New York Times

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The sky--and life itself--the very day--seemed limitless.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very day" to emphasize the significance or coincidence of an event occurring on a specific day. For example, "He arrived "the very day" the contract was signed", highlights the timely arrival.

Common error

Avoid using "the very day" with redundant time expressions like "the very same day" as it can sound repetitive. Stick to either "the very day" or "the same day" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very day" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, typically a clause describing an event. It serves to emphasize the precise timing of an occurrence. The usage is considered correct and usable according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the very day" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the specific timing of an event. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, highlighting coincidences or the immediate occurrence of events. While versatile, it's best to avoid redundancy by not pairing it with similar time expressions. Alternatives like "that particular day" or "the precise day" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. "The very day" serves to focus the reader's attention on the exact moment something happened, making it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that particular day

Replaces "very" with "particular" to emphasize specificity.

the precise day

Substitutes "very" with "precise" to highlight exactness.

the exact day

Similar to "precise day", emphasizing accuracy in time.

on that very date

Adds "date" to specify it's a calendar day, slightly more formal.

the actual day

Replaces "very" with "actual" to reinforce reality or factuality.

the same day

Indicates concurrence but less emphasis.

the specific day

Emphasizes a particular day, but more neutral.

the day in question

Refers to a day previously mentioned or under discussion.

the momentous day

Implies that day was important or critical.

the appointed day

Highlights a day set in advance or officially designated.

FAQs

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

Use "the very day" to emphasize that something happened on a specific and often notable day. For example, "She left "the very day" she graduated".

What phrases are similar to "the very day"?

Similar phrases include "the same day", "that particular day", or "the exact day", each carrying a slightly different nuance in emphasis.

Is it correct to say "the very same day"?

While understandable, "the very same day" can be redundant. Using either ""the very day"" or "the same day" is generally clearer and more concise.

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

"The very day" emphasizes a specific significance or coincidence related to that day, while "that day" is a more general reference to a day previously mentioned or understood.