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Feathers Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

in those days / these days

In those days, a book was worth its weight in silver, if not in gold.
(This is a sentence from some grammarbook.)

When I started a new sentence with "In these days~," by analogy, I was told that I should say "These days~," without "In."

I wonder why. I'd like to know if there's some explanation.

Thank you, in advance, for any comment.
  

Top answer

Unfortunately, there is no symmetry in these expressions. There is no explanation except that native speakers tend to say these expressions using these words. (The same is true of many expressions in many of the world's languages.

— CalifJim

  • Unfortunately, there is no symmetry in these expressions.
  • There is no explanation except that native speakers tend to say these expressions using these words.
  • (The same is true of many expressions in many of the world's languages.
  • ) CJ
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3 Answers
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Unfortunately, there is no symmetry in these expressions. There is no explanation except that native speakers tend to say these expressions using these words.
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H'mm...!

Thank you, CJ, for your reply, now I can stop wondering, and I feel much better.

Emotion: smile
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Feather,

These days is nearly the same as nowadays but it's not used with "in". This phrase is used in the present situation and can be put at the end or the beginning of a sentence. E.g. Kids are really spoiled these days compared to the time I was g
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