to this very day

USAGE SUMMARY

"to this very day" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually describes something that is still true after a long time. For example, "The town still celebrates its historic victory over the invading army every year to this very day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it continues to this very day.

The New York Times - Sports

It fouls our politics to this very day.

The Washington Post

He's still got a record store on Ridley Road Market to this very day.

The Guardian - Music

"It reeked of politics, and it continues to this very day," Mr. Bryan said.

The New York Times

To this very day, nobody has made ghormeh sabzi to Mama G's standard.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To this very day, Central Coast Mariners have experienced cash flow problems.

The Guardian - Sport

"To this very day -- I'm 47 years old -- I still get it".

The New York Times

An impact that would affect Irish football to this very day.

The Guardian - Sport

I can still, to this very day, remember the smell of him.

The Guardian - Books

It begins in the waning hours of slavery and continues to this very day.

The New York Times

"But people come up to me to this very day, and say: 'I remember your coverage of the gulf war.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to this very day" to emphasize the enduring nature of a situation, feeling, or tradition. It adds a sense of history and continuity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to this very day" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound too conversational. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "still" or "currently" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to this very day" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration or continuation of an action, state, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage, as shown in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Books

5%

Science & Research

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to this very day" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the continuation of something from the past until the present. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. While its usage is common across various contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media, lifestyle, and sports-related content. While versatile, consider using alternative expressions such as "even today" or "still now" in more formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even today

Highlights the unexpected continuation of something up to the present, where one might expect it to have ceased.

up until now

Focuses on the period leading to the present, suitable for describing a process or development.

still now

Emphasizes continuation to the present moment, omitting a sense of duration or past events.

persisting today

Implies an element of difficulty or resilience in continuing to the present.

as of today

Implies a statement is true at the current date, often used in formal announcements or reports.

continuing presently

Stresses ongoing action or state. It is slightly more formal and descriptive than "to this very day".

yet today

Emphasizes something unexpected or surprising has continued until the present.

remaining still

Focuses on the unchanged state from a past time until now. Omits the emphasis on duration.

to the present moment

Highlights the continuous action extending up to the current instant, suitable for emphasizing immediacy.

hitherto

A more formal, literary way of saying "until now", focusing on the past leading up to the present.

FAQs

How can I use "to this very day" in a sentence?

Use "to this very day" to emphasize that something has continued unchanged from a point in the past until the present. For example, "The family follows the same traditions "still now", just as they did generations ago "even today"".

What can I say instead of "to this very day"?

You can use alternatives such as "even today", "up until now", or "as of today" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to this day" or "to this very day"?

Both "to this day" and "to this very day" are grammatically correct. "To this very day" simply adds extra emphasis on the continuation until the present moment.

What's the difference between "to this day" and "to this very day"?

While both phrases mean something has continued until the present, "to this very day" adds emphasis. It suggests a stronger sense of wonder or surprise that something has persisted.