very first day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very first day" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that a certain event is happening on the first day of something. For example: "I was nervous on my very first day of college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"On the very first day!" she exclaimed.

The New York Times

From the very first day, every day".

The Guardian - Music

I remember my very first day at university.

The Guardian

It was his very first day living in New York.

The New York Times - Style

But one contender revealed itself on my very first day.

The Guardian

This is Prisoner's Dilemma, a game we saw the very first day.

Yale University

"The very first day, I spoke at Martin Luther King High School," she said.

Cornell University

You'll begin to imagine and plan for your future on your very first day here.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

On the very first day of launching, paleorXiv published 16 articles.

Harvard University

Second, the right to benefits operates from the very first day of employment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"On the very first day of this campaign, we hit our funding goal.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very first day" to emphasize the significance of a beginning or the initial experience of something new. It can create a sense of importance or novelty.

Common error

While "very first day" is acceptable, avoid stacking too many intensifiers. Overusing words like "very", "really", and "extremely" can weaken your writing. Consider if "first day" alone conveys enough emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very first day" functions as an adjectival modifier followed by a noun. It modifies the noun "day", specifying it as the initial day of an event or period. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very first day" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that emphasizes the beginning of an event or period. As Ludwig highlights, it functions as an adjectival phrase to modify a noun. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles, with common usage in News & Media and Academia. While generally correct, remember to avoid overuse of intensifiers for clearer writing. Consider alternatives like "initial day" or "day one" depending on the context. This detailed analysis assists in using the phrase effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first day ever

Adds 'ever' for slightly more emphasis.

day one

A shorter, more concise way of saying "very first day".

initial day

Replaces "very first" with "initial", offering a slightly less emphatic start.

opening day

Substitutes "very first" with "opening", emphasizing the beginning or inauguration.

inaugural day

Uses 'inaugural' to denote the beginning, implying a formal start.

commencement day

Uses "commencement" to highlight the start of a period or activity.

the day it began

Focuses on the start date using a clause instead of an adjective-noun phrase.

the start date

Emphasizes the date of the beginning rather than the experience of the first day.

very beginning

Refers to the start in a broader, less specific context.

the dawn of

More metaphorical, suggesting the start of a new era or phase.

FAQs

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

You can use "very first day" to describe initial experiences or events. For example, "I was nervous on my "very first day" of school" or "The project faced challenges from its "very first day"".

What phrases are similar to "very first day"?

Similar phrases include "initial day", "opening day", or simply "day one". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "very first day" or just "first day"?

"Very first day" adds emphasis to the beginning. Whether it's better depends on your intent. If you want to highlight the importance or novelty of the start, use ""very first day"". Otherwise, "first day" is sufficient.

What is the difference between "very first day" and "first day ever"?

While both phrases emphasize the beginning, ""very first day"" is more common and versatile. "First day ever" can add a touch more emphasis but is less frequently used.