“These days” is a common phrase that means “in the present time” or “nowadays.” It refers to the current period we live in, often to compare it with the past. When you say “these days,” you’re pointing to now — to the way things are today. For example, “People read more news online these days” means that right now, in the current period, online news reading is common.
The phrase works as an adverb, which means it tells you when something happens. You can place it at the start, middle, or end of a sentence. “These days, everything is expensive” works the same as “Everything is expensive these days.” Writers use this phrase to comment on modern life, describe current trends, or contrast how things used to be versus how they are now. It’s natural in both speech and writing.
What Does “These Days” Mean?
“These days” means the current time — right now, in the modern period we live in.
The word “these” points to things that are close and present. Just like “these shoes” means the shoes right here in front of you, “these days” means the days right now, the current ones we’re living through.
Writers and speakers use the phrase to describe what life is like today. It often implies a comparison to the past, even when the past isn’t mentioned directly. When someone says “things move fast these days,” they suggest that things were slower before.
Where Does It Go in a Sentence?
“These days” is an adverbial phrase. This means it acts like an adverb — it tells you when something happens or is true.
You can place it in three positions:
At the start: “These days, most people use their phones for everything.” In the middle: “Most people these days use their phones for everything.” At the end: “Most people use their phones for everything these days.”
All three are correct. The position changes the emphasis slightly. Putting it at the start gives it more weight. Putting it at the end feels more casual.
In my editing work, I see “these days” used most often at the start of a sentence in essays and opinion pieces, where writers want to establish the current context right away.
“These Days” vs Similar Phrases
Several phrases mean something similar. Each has a slightly different tone.
Nowadays — Means the same thing and works in the same positions. Sounds a little more formal than “these days.”
Today — More specific. Can mean the literal day or the current era. “Today, technology is everywhere” sounds clean and direct.
Currently — More formal. Better for business or academic writing. “The market is currently growing” suits professional documents well.
Right now — More immediate. Suggests something happening at this very moment, not just in the current era.
“These days” sits in the middle — casual enough for speech but clean enough for most writing. Use it when you want to describe a current trend without sounding too stiff or too formal.
Examples in Everyday Writing
Correct Usage Examples
These days, working from home is very common. The phrase opens the sentence and sets the current context right away.
Kids spend a lot of time online these days. Placed at the end, it adds a reflective tone to a simple observation.
These days, you can learn almost anything for free online. Highlights a modern reality and implies contrast with the past.
Streaming services are how most people watch TV these days. A natural use of the phrase to describe modern habits.
These days, even small businesses need a website. Shows how expectations have changed from the past.
Incorrect Usage Examples
- Wrong: “These days ago, everything was cheaper.”
- Right: “Back then, everything was cheaper” or “Things were cheaper in those days.”
“These days” refers to now, not the past.
- Wrong: “These days will be remembered forever.”
- Right: “These times will be remembered forever” or “This period will be remembered forever.”
“These days” works for describing current trends, not making predictions about how the present will be viewed later.
- Wrong: “These days, I went to the store.”
- Right: “Earlier today, I went to the store.” Don’t use “these days” for a single past action.
It describes a general current trend, not one specific event.
- Wrong: “In these days, technology is changing fast.”
- Right: “These days, technology is changing fast.”
Drop “in” before “these days” — it sounds old-fashioned and awkward.
Context Variations
Formal essays: “These days, access to information has never been easier.” Works well in opinion pieces or commentary.
Casual speech: “It’s so hard to get good customer service these days.” Natural and common in everyday conversation.
Business writing: “These days, customers expect fast replies.” Acceptable in most business writing, though “currently” or “today” might suit very formal reports better.
Social media posts: “Prices are out of control these days!” The phrase feels natural in informal online writing.
When I train junior writers, I explain that “these days” works best for trends and general observations — not for specific events or single moments. That’s the most common misuse I see in student essays.
Common Mistakes Writers Make
| Mistake | Example | Why It’s Wrong | Correction |
| Using it for past events | “These days, people traveled by horse” | “These days” means now, not the past | “Back then, people traveled by horse” |
| Adding “in” before it | “In these days, apps are everywhere” | Sounds old-fashioned and awkward | “These days, apps are everywhere” |
| Using for a single moment | “These days, I lost my keys” | It’s for trends, not one-time events | “Today, I lost my keys” |
| Repeating it too often | Using “these days” in every paragraph | Makes writing sound repetitive | Vary with “nowadays,” “today,” “currently” |
| Using in very formal reports | “These days, the market is volatile” | Too casual for formal documents | “Currently, the market is volatile” |
These mistakes usually happen because writers treat “these days” like a general filler phrase. It has a specific job: describing what’s common or typical right now. Using it for past references or single events breaks that meaning.
When Should You Use It?
Use “these days” when you want to describe something common, normal, or changing in the current period.
Use it for:
- Modern trends: “Remote work is normal these days.”
- Comparing to the past: “These days, even kids have smartphones.”
- Commenting on change: “These days, everything is instant.”
Avoid it when:
- Writing very formal documents — use “currently” or “at present”
- Describing a specific past event — use “today,” “yesterday,” or a date
- You’ve already used it recently in the same piece — vary with “nowadays” or “today”
The phrase works best when used sparingly. Each time it appears, it should feel like a real comment on the current moment, not a habit.
Memory Tricks for Using It Right
Think of “these” as a pointing word. “These shoes” points to shoes right here in front of you. “These days” points to days right here — the ones we’re living through now.
Quick swap test: If you can replace the phrase with “nowadays” and the sentence still sounds right, “these days” is the correct choice.
Position test: Try the phrase at the start and end of your sentence. If both sound natural, use whichever gives better flow.
Conclusion
“These days” means in the present time or the current period, and it works as an adverb to describe modern trends and current situations. It can go at the start, middle, or end of a sentence. Use it when describing what’s common, normal, or changing right now — not for single past events or very formal documents.
When your sentence feels too casual with “these days,” try “currently” or “today” instead. With simple attention to meaning and placement, this phrase adds natural flow to both everyday speech and most types of writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
It means in the current period or nowadays. It describes what is common or normal in the present time.
Yes. “These days, everything is online” is correct. Starting with it adds emphasis to the current context.
It’s mostly informal to neutral. For very formal writing, use “currently” or “at present” instead.
Both mean the same thing. “Nowadays” sounds slightly more formal. Both work in most writing situations.
Avoid it in modern writing. “In these days” sounds old-fashioned. Use “these days” without “in.”
Always “these days.” The word “days” is plural, so it needs “these,” not “this.”
Avoid it for single past events, very formal reports, or when you’ve already used it recently in the same piece.
Yes. “Everything is expensive these days” is natural and correct.
