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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
In a day or two
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
She would be back in a day or two.
News & Media
The swelling usually goes down in a day or two.
News & Media
But most typhoons blow through in a day or two.
News & Media
But he would be back in a day or two.
News & Media
It should pass in a day or two.
News & Media
It will go away in a day or two.
News & Media
(Lena would be joining us in a day or two).
News & Media
Carbon dioxide doesn't just float away in a day or two.
News & Media
Without treatment, she could be dead in a day or two.
News & Media
He and the other volunteers will cross the border in a day or two.
News & Media
"It won't happen in a day or two, they need to do it street by street".
News & Media
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.
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.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
within the next couple of days
Emphasizes the limit of time.
in the next 24-48 hours
Specifies a more precise timeframe.
in short order
Implies that it will be done quickly.
before the week is out
Indicates it will happen before the end of the current week.
in due course
Suggests something will happen when the time is right, but could take slightly longer.
in the near future
A more general indication of something happening soon.
More alternative expressions(6)
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
94%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested