Is It Correct to Say “These Days”? A Complete Guide to Usage, Grammar (With Example)

When I first noticed the phrase these days, I wondered, “Is It Correct to Say “These Days”?” It’s like rock and roll or pork and beans, where the d in and sometimes disappears, and people often fail to enunciate the middle word clearly in English. Language evolves over time, much like a river carving through a landscape, and the n-sound shows how expression can be written or spoken naturally in modern usage.

Understanding these days also needs focus on its context. The phrase may start a sentence or sit in the middle, and sometimes a restrictive modifier or clause requires a comma if separated for clarity. Teachers, writers, and grammar geeks often debate its correctness, but observing how it works in conversation helps unlock a deeper understanding. For example, I remember that people rely on smartphones a lot these days, which highlights how habits differ from the past, fitting both formal and informal tone.

In daily usage, these days is popular, suitable, and common across various contexts. While it may raise eyebrows among strict grammar watchers, most people hear it right. Whether talking, writing, or consulting rule books, seeing how English evolves over a decade shows how it works in the world. Giving closer attention to expression, phrase, and usage ensures your words stand out like rock roll or pork and beans—simple, clear, and notable.

Understanding the Phrase “These Days”

At its core, “these days” refers to the current period or the present era, usually in comparison to the past. For instance:

“These days, people prefer texting over calling.”

Here, the phrase highlights a shift in behavior from how people used to communicate.

The Origin and Evolution of “These Days”

The phrase isn’t new. Its roots date back to older English literature, where writers contrasted the “nowadays” with earlier times. Over the decades, it has evolved into a casual, conversational expression, widely used in everyday American English, media, and even professional contexts.

Tone and Formality

• Casual Use: “These days, I enjoy cooking at home more than eating out.”
• Neutral Use: Acceptable in blogs, magazines, and emails.
• Formal Use: Less common in academic writing—here, “currently” or “nowadays” may be more appropriate.

In short, it’s versatile but leans casual, making it perfect for storytelling, observations, and personal reflections.

Appropriate Usage of “These Days” in American English

Defining Contemporary Usage

“These days” is ideal for describing current trends, habits, or ongoing situations. It paints a picture of what is typical in the present era, without pointing to a specific moment.

• Correct: “These days, more people are working remotely.”
• Incorrect: “These days, I visited Paris last year.” (This confuses present and past.)

Common Contexts for Employing “These Days”

You’ll often hear “these days” in conversations about:

• Daily routines: “These days, I wake up at 6 a.m. to exercise.”
• Technology: “These days, smartphones have replaced alarm clocks.”
• Lifestyle trends: “These days, vegan diets are increasingly popular.”
• Cultural shifts: “These days, streaming services dominate entertainment.”

Contrasting “These Days” with “Right Now”

Many learners confuse “these days” with “right now”, but the difference is subtle yet important:

Phrase	Meaning	Example
These days	Refers to ongoing trends or habits	“These days, more people work from home.”
Right now	Refers to the immediate moment	“Right now, I’m drinking my morning coffee.”

Tip: Use “these days” to describe general patterns, not one-off actions.

The Grammatical Mechanics of “These Days”

Demonstrative Pronoun in Action

The word “these” is a demonstrative pronoun pointing to plural nouns in the near-present time. Combined with “days,” it signals that you are talking about recent times or the current era.

• Example: “These days, people rely heavily on online shopping.”

Sentence Placement

• Start of a sentence: “These days, fewer people read newspapers.”
• Middle of a sentence: “I, these days, prefer walking instead of driving.”
• Avoid awkward placement that interrupts sentence flow.

Verb Agreement

“These days” usually pairs with:

• Present Simple: “These days, children play more video games than outdoor sports.”
• Present Continuous: “These days, people are exploring AI-powered tools.”

Avoid using past tense, unless contrasting with past habits:

• Correct: “I used to read novels, but these days, I watch documentaries.”
• Incorrect: “These days, I read novels last year.”

When to Use “These Days” for Describing Trends

General vs. Specific Trends

“These days” works best for ongoing trends or habitual behaviors.

• General trend: “These days, electric cars are gaining popularity.”
• Specific incident: “These days, I bought a car yesterday.” (Not ideal)

Tips for Accuracy

• Make sure the trend is current and ongoing.
• Contrast with the past when appropriate: “I used to eat fast food, but these days, I cook at home.”
• Avoid overusing—it loses impact if repeated too often in one paragraph.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using “These Days”

Even native speakers slip sometimes. Here’s what to watch for:

Talking About the Past Incorrectly

• “These days, I went to Paris last year.”
• “These days, I travel locally instead of going abroad.”

Confusing “These Days” with Other Time Phrases

Phrase	Usage Nuance	Correct Example
Nowadays	Slightly formal; similar to “these days”	“Nowadays, remote work is common.”
Currently	Immediate, present moment	“Currently, the office is closed.”
At the moment	Immediate situation	“At the moment, I’m on a call.”
Right now	Instantaneous action	“Right now, it’s raining outside.”

Tense Matters

Always pair “these days” with present tense or present-oriented verbs. Using past tense confuses the timeline.

Replacing “These Days”: Synonyms and Alternatives

Sometimes, you might want a fresh way to express the same idea. Here’s a guide to alternatives:

Modern Alternatives for “These Days”

• Nowadays – slightly formal, interchangeable with “these days.”
• Currently – emphasizes immediate present.
• In this day and age – formal, emphasizes cultural or societal context.
• Today – simple and straightforward.

Nuances of Using Synonyms Correctly

Synonym	Tone/Formality	Example
These days	Casual, conversational	“These days, kids prefer online games.”
Nowadays	Neutral, slightly formal	“Nowadays, many people work remotely.”
In this day and age	Formal	“In this day and age, technology shapes culture.”
Currently	Neutral, immediate	“Currently, the office is under renovation.”

Tip: Consider your audience—formal reports may favor “nowadays” or “in this day and age,” while casual conversations are perfect for “these days.”

Examples and Tips: “These Days” in Sentences

To master “these days,” practice spotting it in real-life contexts:

• “These days, I try to meditate every morning.”
• “I don’t watch TV these days; I prefer podcasts.”
• “These days, working from home has become the norm.”

Practical Tips for Natural Use

• Place “these days” at the start or middle of the sentence.
  
• Use it to highlight contrast: “I used to go out every weekend, but these days, I stay home more often.”
• Avoid using it with specific past events; it works for ongoing situations.

Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives in Action

“These days” is a combination of a demonstrative adjective (“these”) and a plural noun (“days”), showing both specificity and plurality in time.

• Example in literature: “These days, love letters are rare, replaced by emojis.”
• Notice how “these” emphasizes the current period, while “days” generalizes across multiple recent days or experiences.

Key takeaway: Understanding the grammatical role of “these” ensures you use it correctly in different sentence structures.

Conclusion

Using these days is correct in English, and it fits both formal and informal contexts. Just like rock roll or pork and beans, the phrase is easy to pronounce once you understand the expression and how language evolves over time. Paying closer attention to usage, tone, and context ensures your sentences stand out clearly.

Observing modern habits, like how people rely on smartphones, helps unlock a better understanding of everyday conversation. These days is popular, suitable, and widely written and spoken, making it a notable addition to your vocabulary.

FAQs

Q1: Is it correct to say “these days” in formal writing?

Yes, these days is correct in both formal and informal contexts. It can appear at the start or middle of a sentence, but make sure it fits the tone.

Q2: Why do some people hesitate to use “these days”?

Some people hesitate because they focus on grammar rules or worry about the d in and disappearing, similar to rock roll or pork and beans.

Q3: Can “these days” replace phrases like “nowadays”?

Yes, these days works like nowadays to describe the current period. It reflects modern habits and usage naturally.

Q4: How should I pronounce “these days”?

Just pronounce it clearly, keeping both words distinct. Like other phrases, the expression adapts naturally in spoken and written English.

Q5: Are there special rules for punctuation with “these days”?

When a restrictive modifier or clause is separated, use a comma for clarity. Otherwise, it flows naturally in conversation and writing.