there were days

USAGE SUMMARY

'there were days' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to refer to specific days in the past. For example: "There were days when I pictured myself living in a big city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were days I was in agony and there were days I felt invincible.

Huffington Post

There were days when I ate nothing.

The New Yorker

This helped but there were days with no sales.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were days I never got to writing at all.

Harvard Business Review

There were days when we got more than 40 shells.

The Guardian

"There were days I just couldn't work there," she says "and then there were days I could.

The New Yorker

There were days of nonstop machine-gun fire and missiles.

The New York Times - Magazine

There were days I couldn't get out of bed.

The New York Times

There were days when you didn't make a penny.

The New York Times

There were days when the boys had three gelati.

The New York Times - Travel

"There were days I came back crying," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were days" to introduce anecdotes or specific experiences within a broader narrative to add vividness and detail.

Common error

Avoid using "there are days" when referring to past events; stick to "there were days" to maintain correct tense consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were days" functions as an introductory phrase to specify particular instances or periods in the past. Ludwig shows its use in setting the scene for recounting experiences or situations that occurred during those specific days.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there were days" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce past experiences or situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is effective for setting a temporal context and emphasizing specific periods within a broader narrative. The high frequency of this phrase in news and media sources demonstrates its accessibility and broad applicability. To enhance your writing, remember to use this phrase to add vividness and detail when recounting past events and avoid using "there are days" when referring to the past. Alternatives like "some days" or "in those days" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on some days

This alternative specifically indicates that the statement is not true for all days.

in those days

This phrase provides a slightly more formal, though still common, alternative.

some days

This alternative offers a shorter, more general reference to unspecified days.

there were times

This shifts the focus from days to more general moments or periods.

certain days

This phrase emphasizes particular days that stand out or are noteworthy.

some days occurred

This alternative offers a more descriptive and less common phrasing.

on occasion

This focuses on instances or moments, rather than entire days.

at times

This alternative is less specific to days and more about general instances.

during that period

This refers to a broader time frame, not necessarily specific days.

back then

This alternative provides a more informal reference to a past time.

FAQs

How can I use "there were days" in a sentence?

You can use "there were days" to describe past experiences or periods, for example: "There were days when I doubted myself."

What's a good substitute for "there were days"?

Alternatives include "some days", "certain days", or "in those days" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "there are days" instead of "there were days" when referring to the past?

No, use "there were days" when referring to past experiences. "There are days" implies a present or ongoing situation.

What is the difference between "there were days" and "there were times"?

"There were days" refers specifically to individual days, while "there were times" refers to broader periods or moments that may not be specific to a single day.