"back in the days when" vs "back in days when"

Question

"back in the days when" vs "back in days when"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Back in the days when' is the more common and idiomatic expression, indicating a specific time period in the past. On the other hand, 'back in days when' is less common and may sound incomplete or awkward without the article 'the'.

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

This phrase is used to refer to a specific time period in the past, emphasizing nostalgia or reminiscing about earlier times.

Examples:

Back in the days when we used to play outside until dark.
Back in the days when people wrote letters instead of emails.
I remember back in the days when we had to wait for our favorite TV show to come on at a specific time.
Back in the days when life was simpler and less complicated.
Back in the days when music was recorded on cassette tapes.

Alternatives:

In the past when
During the time when
In earlier times when
In the old days when
When things were different

This phrase can be used to refer to a general time period in the past, but it may sound less natural or complete compared to 'back in the days when'.

Alternatives:

Back in the days when
In the days when
During the days when
In those days when
When days were simpler

Answer 1

back in the days when

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

back in days when

This phrase is correct but less common in English. It may sound incomplete or awkward without the article 'the'.

"back in the days when" vs "back in days when"

back in the days when

back in days when

Related Comparisons