What day is Groundhog Day, help me please.

Question

Dear Teachers

Sb: We learned about Groundhog Day. Tom, what day is Groundhog Day?

Tom: February 2.

Why the speaker do not use what date is Groundhog Day.

I ever learned about what day as below.

A: what day is it today?

B: It is Thursday.

******************

A: what date is it today?

B: It is February 2.

Is there Any special usage of “what day”? tell me.

Thanks a lot.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

You are correct- 'date' would be better. I guess the 'day' in Groundhog Day makes 'day' seem more natural here. People do not always speak as carefully as rule books says they should!

Clive · Answer

Hi,

'What day . . .' is often used to ask about a date. The listener usually tries to guess what the speaker means.

Clive

Jacky56Lin · Answer

Hello Teacher Clive

Give me advanced answer

A: what day is it today?

B: It is Thursday. Can B reply like this? Help!

Thanks again.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Yes. That would be the normal reply.
The background thinking is this. People sometimes want to knw if today is eg Saturday or Sunday.

But people rarely need to know if eg your birthday next year is on a Saturday or a Sunday. At such a distance, they probably would be more interested in the date.

Clive

Jacky56Lin · Answer

Thank you very much!<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

What day is Groundhog Day, help me please.

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