In secondary English, the common phrases "on the day" and "that day" both refer to a specific day, but there are some subtle differences in context and usage. This article will compare the usage, meaning, and emphatic points of these two phrases in sentences in order to better understand their similarities and differences in English.
1.Similarities between the two:
These two expressions are very close in semantics and do not differ much as adverbials, both refer to the specific day on which the celebration takes place.
we had a great celebration on the day": This sentence focuses on emphasizing the exact date on which the celebration takes place.
we had a great celebration that day": This expression is more colloquial, and it also indicates that a celebration was held on a particular day.
But "on the day" may be more formal and emphasize the accuracy of the date, while "that day" is more colloquial and focuses on highlighting activities on a particular day.
2.The differences between the two:
When "that day" is used as a noun phrase, it can be used as a subject, object, etc.:
As the subject: that day will always remain in my memory(That day will remain in my memory forever.) ）
As an object: she promised to never forget that day(She promised never to forget that day.) ）
"On the day" can be followed by of prepositional phrase, that clause, and when clause to express more detailed content. ：
Followed by the "of" prepositional phrase:
we had a great celebration on the day of her graduation.(On the day of her graduation, we had a big celebration.) ）
Continued when clause:
on the day when the festival began, the whole town was decorated.(On the day the festival begins, the entire town is decorated.) ）
Pick up that clause.
on the day that they announced the results, everyone was excited.(On the day they announced the results, everyone was excited.) ）
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