Mastering "In Those Days": A Simple Grammar Guide for English Learners

Do you ever want to talk about the past in English? Maybe you want to share a memory or tell a story about a time long ago. The phrase “in those days” is a perfect tool for this. Understanding how to use adverbial phrases like this one is key to improving your sentence structure and fluency in English. This guide will explain the meaning of “in those days,” show you how to use it correctly, and help you sound more natural.

Table of Contents

• What Does “In Those Days” Mean?
• What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “In Those Days”?
• Example Sentences with “In Those Days”
• When and How to Use “In Those Days”
• Summary and Practice Tip

What Does “In Those Days” Mean?

“In those days” refers to a specific period of time in the past.

It is often used when someone is remembering or telling a story about a time that is now over. This phrase acts as a verb modifier, telling us when an action happened. It adds a feeling of nostalgia or distance from the present, making it a powerful tool for storytelling and ESL writing.

More: Mastering During the Night: Grammar Guide for ESL Learners

What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “In Those Days”?

"In those days" is an adverbial phrase of time. Its job is to describe when the action of the main verb took place. Adverbial phrases of time are essential English grammar tools for building clear timelines in your sentences.

Let’s look at its simple grammar structure:

• Preposition:in
• Demonstrative Determiner:those (points to something specific and distant, in this case, time)
• Noun:days

This phrase is quite flexible. You can place it at the beginning or the end of a sentence. Placing it at the start often emphasizes the time period, while placing it at the end feels very natural in conversation.

• At the beginning:In those days, we didn't have smartphones.
• At the end: We didn't have smartphones in those days.

More: Mastering 'For Several Days': A Simple English Grammar Guide

Example Sentences with “In Those Days”

Here are a few sentence examples to help you see how "in those days" works in a real context. Notice how it sets a scene in the past.

• In those days, people wrote letters to each other instead of sending emails.
• My grandfather often talks about his youth. He says that life was simpler in those days.

Here is a short dialogue:

• Person A: "Wow, this old black-and-white photo of the city is amazing. It looks so different."
• Person B: "It really does. In those days, there were no skyscrapers, just small buildings and lots of parks."

More: Mastering At Lunchtime: A Simple English Grammar Guide

When and How to Use “In Those Days”

This phrase is perfect for storytelling and reminiscing. You can use it in both formal and informal situations, from telling a friend a story to writing a historical narrative. It creates a connection to a past era that the speaker or writer is reflecting on.

One of the most common mistakes for ESL learners is confusing "in those days" with "these days." Remember these simple grammar rules:

• “In those days” refers to the past.
• “These days” or “nowadays” refers to the present.

For example:

• Correct:In those days, music was sold on vinyl records.
• Correct:These days, most people stream music online.
• Incorrect:These days, music was sold on vinyl records.

Because "in those days" refers to the past, you should almost always use a past tense verb with it (e.g., was, were, lived, wrote). According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the phrase is used for "during a particular period in the past." This confirms its strong connection to past events.

Summary and Practice Tip

To summarize, “in those days” is a fantastic adverbial phrase of time used to talk about a specific period in the past. It helps you modify verbs and add historical context or a feeling of nostalgia to your sentences. Mastering this phrase will improve your English grammar and make your storytelling more vivid.

Now it's your turn to practice! Try writing a sentence in the comments below using "in those days." You could talk about your childhood, your parents' youth, or any historical period you find interesting. This is a great way to work on your natural sentence use. Good luck!