When you want to talk about what is happening in your life or the world at the present time, the phrase “these days” is a natural choice. It commonly refers to a period around now rather than one specific day. For example, you might say, “I’m working from home these days,” meaning that working from home is your current routine.
However, “these days” can sometimes be confused with phrases such as “nowadays,” “currently,” “today,” and “in these days.” Although these expressions may seem similar, they do not always work in the same situations. Understanding the correct these days usage can make your English sound more natural and precise.
In this guide, you’ll learn what “these days” means, how to use it correctly, which verb tenses commonly appear with it, and the mistakes you should avoid.
Quick Answer
“These days” means “at the present time” or “during the current period.” It usually describes a temporary or ongoing situation and often appears with the present simple or present continuous. For example: “I’m exercising more these days.”
Why Do People Confuse “These Days”?
People often confuse “these days” because it can refer to both a person’s current circumstances and broader changes in modern life.
For example:
- “I’m very busy these days.” → Your current situation.
- “People shop online more these days.” → A broader modern trend.
The phrase can also resemble “nowadays,” but the two expressions are not always interchangeable in tone or context.
Another common mistake is adding unnecessary words:
- ❌ “in these days”
- ✅ “these days”
In standard modern English, “these days” normally works without “in.”
First Word: “These”
“These” is the plural form of the demonstrative determiner “this.”
It points to things that are relatively close to the speaker, either physically or in terms of time.
Examples:
- these books
- these problems
- these weeks
- these days
In the expression “these days,” the word “these” refers to the current period of time.
Second Word: “Days”
“Days” is the plural form of “day.” In “these days,” it does not necessarily mean a few specific 24-hour periods.
Instead, the phrase generally means:
- at present
- nowadays
- around this time
- during the current period
- in the present period of someone’s life
For example:
“I don’t watch much television these days.”
This does not mean you only stopped watching television on certain named days. It means that watching television is no longer common for you at present.
“These Days” Comparison Table
| Expression | Meaning | Typical Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| These days | At present; during the current period | Current habits or situations | I work from home these days. |
| Nowadays | In the present era | General trends or changes | People communicate differently nowadays. |
| Today | On this particular day | A specific day | I’m working today. |
| Currently | At the present time | Formal or neutral contexts | She is currently studying. |
| At present | At this time | More formal writing | The service is unavailable at present. |
| These days of… | During a particular period | Specific context | In these days of technology, communication is faster. |
When to Use “These Days”
Use “these days” when you are talking about a current situation, routine, habit, or trend.
1. For a current habit
“I drink more water these days.”
This means drinking more water has become your current habit.
2. For a changing lifestyle
“She travels a lot these days.”
Her travel is more common now than it was previously.
3. For modern trends
“Many people work remotely these days.”
The sentence describes a trend that is common in the current period.
4. For a temporary situation
“I’m staying with my parents these days.”
The situation is happening around now and may not continue permanently.
5. For comparing the present with the past
“I don’t play football much these days.”
The speaker implies that they played football more often in the past.
“These Days” Examples
Here are more natural examples showing different types of these days usage:
- I’m really busy these days.
- She works from home these days.
- I don’t watch television much these days.
- People use smartphones for almost everything these days.
- He seems much happier these days.
- We eat out more often these days.
- My children are interested in science these days.
- I’m trying to save money these days.
- Many students take online courses these days.
- She doesn’t visit us very often these days.
- I wake up early these days.
- It’s difficult to find affordable housing these days.
- He spends more time reading these days.
- People communicate instantly these days.
- I’m learning Spanish these days.
Notice that “these days” can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence:
These days, I prefer working in the morning.
I prefer working in the morning these days.
Both are grammatically correct.
Common Mistakes With “These Days”
Mistake 1: Saying “in these days” for a current habit
❌ I work from home in these days.
✅ I work from home these days.
For ordinary modern English, omit “in.”
Mistake 2: Confusing “these days” with “today”
“These days” refers to a broader period around the present.
“Today” usually refers to one particular day.
- I’m working today. → This specific day.
- I’m working from home these days. → My current routine.
Mistake 3: Using “these days” for the distant past
❌ These days, people used horses for transportation.
If you are talking about a historical period, use a phrase such as:
✅ In those days, people used horses for transportation.
Mistake 4: Treating “these days” as a single day
“These days” is plural and normally refers to a period rather than one particular date.
Memory Trick for “These Days”
Remember:
These days = around now.
Think of a timeline:
Past → NOW → Future
“These days” points to the period around NOW.
For example:
I exercise regularly these days.
Think: “I exercise regularly now, compared with before.”
A simple shortcut is:
These days = nowadays = at present
Just remember that “these days” often sounds more conversational and can easily describe someone’s current habits or circumstances.
American vs. British English
The phrase “these days” is standard in both American English and British English.
There is no major difference in grammar or basic meaning.
For example, both varieties naturally use:
“People spend a lot of time online these days.”
However, vocabulary and pronunciation can differ between American and British English, so you may encounter other differences in sentences surrounding the phrase.
“These days” itself is completely natural in both varieties.
Similar Words and Expressions
Several expressions have meanings close to “these days,” but their usage can vary.
Nowadays
“Nowadays” means at the present time, especially when discussing changes in society.
“Nowadays, many people work online.”
Currently
“Currently” means at the present time and is common in formal or professional writing.
“The company is currently hiring.”
At present
This is another formal way to say “now.”
“The museum is closed at present.”
Today
“Today” usually refers to the specific day you are in.
“I have a meeting today.”
Right now
“Right now” usually emphasizes the exact current moment.
“I’m busy right now.”
These days
“These days” generally refers to a broader current period.
“I don’t eat much fast food these days.”
FAQs:
1. What does “these days” mean?
“These days” means at the present time or during the current period. It often describes current habits, circumstances, or trends.
2. Is “these days” grammatically correct?
Yes. “These days” is a standard and natural English expression.
3. Should I say “in these days”?
Usually, no. For current habits or situations, say “these days” without “in.”
- ❌ I’m tired in these days.
- ✅ I’m tired these days.
4. Can “these days” be used with the present continuous?
Yes.
“I’m working from home these days.”
The present continuous can emphasize an ongoing or temporary current situation.
5. Can “these days” be used with the present simple?
Yes.
“I exercise more these days.”
The present simple is useful for current habits and general situations.
6. Is “these days” the same as “nowadays”?
They are often interchangeable, especially when describing current trends. However, “these days” is particularly natural for personal habits and present circumstances.
7. What is the opposite of “these days”?
When referring to a past period, “in those days” is often appropriate.
“In those days, we didn’t have smartphones.”
Remember This
These days = at present / around now.
- These days → a current period
- Today → one specific day
- Nowadays → the present era or modern times
- Right now → this exact moment
- In those days → a past period
The easiest rule is: If you mean “at present” rather than one particular day, “these days” is usually the right choice.
Conclusion
Understanding these days usage is useful because the expression appears frequently in everyday conversations, articles, emails, and informal writing. It can describe personal routines, temporary circumstances, and broader changes happening in modern life. Its meaning is usually clear from context, especially when it is compared with an earlier period.
The key is to avoid treating “these days” as a synonym for “today.” When you mean a current period, use “these days.” When you mean one specific day, use “today.” With this simple distinction, you can use the phrase naturally and accurately in everyday English.
