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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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In a day or two

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a day or two" is a perfectly acceptable and grammatically correct phrase for use in written English
It is typically used to indicate that something will occur in the near future, usually sometime within 48 hours. Example: I will get back to you with an answer to your question in a day or two.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She would be back in a day or two.

News & Media

The New York Times

The swelling usually goes down in a day or two.

But most typhoons blow through in a day or two.

But he would be back in a day or two.

News & Media

The New York Times

It should pass in a day or two.

News & Media

The Guardian

It will go away in a day or two.

(Lena would be joining us in a day or two).

News & Media

The New Yorker

Carbon dioxide doesn't just float away in a day or two.

News & Media

The New York Times

Without treatment, she could be dead in a day or two.

News & Media

The Guardian

He and the other volunteers will cross the border in a day or two.

News & Media

The New York Times

"It won't happen in a day or two, they need to do it street by street".

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "in a day or two" when you want to convey a sense of quick action or occurrence without being overly precise about the timing. This phrase is suitable for informal promises or estimations.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "in a day or two" when a task requires careful planning and coordination. It can create unrealistic expectations if the situation warrants a more extended timeframe. For tasks requiring a specific deadline, provide an exact date instead.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a day or two" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action will occur. It specifies a short timeframe in the near future, typically implying within 48 hours. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

⚠ Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a day or two" is a common and versatile phrase used to indicate that something will occur in the near future. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While acceptable in many situations, it's important to avoid using it when a precise timeline is required. Alternatives like "within the next 48 hours" or "shortly" might be more appropriate in those cases. The phrase holds a neutral tone, allowing for flexible application across different forms of communication. Remember to consider the context and your audience when deciding whether to use "in a day or two" or seek a more specific expression.

FAQs

How can I use "in a day or two" in a sentence?

You can use "in a day or two" to indicate something will happen soon. For example, "I will send you the report "within the next couple of days"." Or, "The swelling should subside "in the next 24-48 hours"."

What's a more formal way to say "in a day or two"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "within the next 48 hours" or "at your earliest convenience". These phrases provide a similar meaning but are appropriate for professional settings. You might say, "We anticipate a response "within the next couple of days"."

Is "in a day or two" too vague for business communication?

While "in a day or two" is acceptable for quick updates, it may be too ambiguous for critical business communications. To ensure clarity, specify the date or time you expect the action to occur. Depending on the task and the recipients familiarity with it, you might indicate that you plan to address the task "in short order".

Can "in a day or two" be used for future events beyond the immediate?

While technically referring to the very near future, the phrase is flexible and can imply anytime within the next few days. For events further out, use expressions like "later this week" or "before the week is out" to convey more extended timeframes.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: