Understanding the Usage of 'These Days' in English

The phrase 'these days' is a common and idiomatic expression in English that can often leave non-native speakers puzzled. In this article, we will delve into why and when to use 'these days,' explore its grammatical correctness, and understand why it doesn't work with other timeframes like 'these weeks' or 'these years.' We will also discuss its relation to colloquial language and provide examples for better comprehension.

What is 'These Days'?

'These days' is an idiomatic expression that refers to the present time, the near future, and the recent past. It is used to denote a general timeframe that covers the immediate past and present. For example, when we say 'These days more and more unmarried women are having children,' we mean that this trend has been occurring recently and is continuing into the present.

While 'these weeks' or 'these years' may be grammatically correct, they don't carry the same meaning. 'These weeks' refers to specific, recent weeks, and 'these years' is more formal and usually signifies a specific set of years rather than the present.

Grammatical Correctness of 'These Days'

'These days' is a colloquial way of saying 'now' in a general sense or 'nowadays.' It is a natural way to express ongoing trends or current conditions. It is commonly used in both written and spoken English, and its usage is not limited to formal contexts.

For example, 'In recent years, more and more unmarried women are having children' is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning as 'These days more and more unmarried women are having children.' Both phrases indicate a trend that is ongoing in the present, but 'recent years' is more specific to recent years rather than the immediate present.

Why 'These Days' But Not 'These Years'?

The phrase 'these days' works because it is used to indicate a general, ongoing timeframe, covering the immediate past and present together. In contrast, 'these years' sounds unnatural because it implies a specific set of years, which is not the intended meaning. 'These years' can be used in a formal or specific context, such as 'I have been studying English for most of these years,' where it refers to a specific set of years over which the studying has taken place.

The use of 'these days' is idiomatic and does not follow the same rules as other phrases. For instance, we cannot say 'these hours' or 'these minutes' to mean the present time. Instead, we use phrases like 'at this hour' to convey the current time more specifically.

Frequency and Context

The frequency of using 'these days' can vary based on context and formality. In more casual settings, it is very common to use this phrase. In formal writing, one might prefer 'recently' or 'in the present,' but 'these days' is still widely accepted and even preferred by many native speakers due to its casual yet clear nature.

Here are a few more examples to help you understand the usage better:

'These days, technology has transformed our daily lives.' 'In recent years, we have seen significant advancements in renewable energy.' 'Life has certainly changed a lot these days.'

Technical Terms and Usage

While 'these days' is informal, there are similar phrases that are more formal and technical. For instance, 'in the recent past' or 'in the last few years' are more precise and are often used in formal contexts. These phrases align more closely with technical terms like the 'recent year' and 'past year,' which refer to a specific 12-month period in the present or recent past.

For example, 'I spent the recent year improving my English skills' is a more formal way of saying the same thing. Similarly, 'There was a particularly helpful seminar offered in a recent year' or 'in one recent year' is more precise and technical. However, in this context, it is usually more natural to say 'in 2019' unless you are unsure of the specific year or do not need to provide detailed information.

Conclusion

In summary, 'these days' is a concise and natural way to express the present and immediate past in both formal and informal contexts. While it may not always be the most precise way of expressing a timeframe, it is widely used and understood. Understanding when to use it correctly can greatly enhance your English communication skills.