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REFERENCE

one day

fixed phr..
A1 Beginner Oxford

fixed phr.. A phrase used to talk about a time in the future that isn't specific. It can also mean a particular day in the past when you are telling a story.

fixed phr.. An adverbial phrase of time referring to an unspecified point in the future or a particular but unnamed day in the past, often used to begin a narrative.


SIMPLE

One day, I want to own a dog.

CONTEXTUAL

She dreams that one day she will travel the world and see the pyramids.

COMPLEX

One day, long after the memory of the argument had faded, he found the letter she had written and finally understood her reasons.

Usage

This phrase usually appears at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Teaching tip

Contrast 'one day' (indefinite future/past) with 'someday' (indefinite future only) and 'the other day' (specific, recent past).

Pitfall

On one day, I will be famous.One day, I will be famous.When used to mean 'someday', this phrase does not require a preposition like 'on' or 'in'.

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