Wrong phrase: 'in nowadays' (nowadays)

Don't write "in nowadays." "Nowadays" is an adverb (like "today" or "these days") and does not take the preposition "in." Use "nowadays" alone, or choose a clearer time phrase for formal writing.

Quick answer

"Nowadays" is an adverb and should be used without "in."

Wrong: "In nowadays, people commute less."
Right: "Nowadays, people commute less." or "People nowadays commute less."
Formal alternative: "In recent years, people have commuted less."

Core explanation: why "in nowadays" is ungrammatical

"Nowadays" means "at the present time" or "these days." It modifies verbs or whole clauses. Prepositions such as "in" introduce noun phrases, so putting "in" before an adverb is redundant and ungrammatical.

Fix: remove "in" and decide placement: at the start (usually with a comma) or after the subject.
Start + comma: "Nowadays, companies hire remotely."
Mid-sentence: "Companies nowadays hire remotely."
Formal option: "In recent years, companies have increased remote hiring."

Placement and punctuation

Place "nowadays" where it reads naturally. Use a comma when it begins the sentence; omit the comma when it follows the subject.

Fronted: "Nowadays, we run hybrid meetings." (comma recommended)
Mid-sentence: "We nowadays run hybrid meetings." (no comma)
Never: "in nowadays" - always remove the preposition

Hyphenation and spacing: one word, no variants

"Nowadays" is one word. Do not write "now a days," "now-a-days," or similar spaced/hyphenated variants.

Correct: "nowadays"
Incorrect: "now a days", "now-a-days", "now days"
Note: fixing spelling does not justify "in": remove the preposition as well.

Real usage and tone: when to use "nowadays"

"Nowadays" is neutral-to-casual and common in journalism, emails, and conversation. For formal or precise contexts, prefer "in recent years," "currently," or a specific date range.

Casual/office: "Nowadays, people join meetings from home."
Formal/report: "In recent years, remote attendance at meetings has increased."
Academic: use precise time ranges or "currently" as appropriate

Memory trick: quick tests to avoid the mistake

Two fast checks:

Swap test: Replace "nowadays" with "these days." You would not say "in these days," so you must not say "in nowadays."
Read test: Read the sentence aloud without "in." If it sounds fine, drop the preposition.

Try your own sentence

Test the full sentence in context; that usually makes the right choice obvious.

Rewrite help: step-by-step fixes and copyable rewrites

Process: (1) Remove "in." (2) Choose placement: front with comma or after the subject. (3) For formality, replace "nowadays" with "in recent years," "currently," or a precise period.

Informal quick fix: "In nowadays, meetings are virtual." → "Nowadays, meetings are virtual."
Work neutral: "In nowadays, we use Slack for updates." → "We now use Slack for updates."
Work formal: "In nowadays, performance metrics have changed." → "In recent years, performance metrics have changed."
School essay: "In nowadays, students rely on notes online." → "Nowadays, students rely on online notes."
Casual text: "In nowadays, I watch more streaming shows." → "These days, I watch more streaming shows."
Copy-ready rewrite:
Original: "In nowadays, friends text instead of call." → "Nowadays, friends text instead of calling."

Examples: wrong/right pairs across work, school and casual contexts

Each wrong sentence uses "in nowadays." Each right sentence either removes the preposition or offers a more formal alternative.

Work_wrong: Wrong: "In nowadays, our team coordinates across three time zones." Work_right: "Nowadays, our team coordinates across three time zones."
Work_wrong: Wrong: "In nowadays, the department uses an agile approach." Work_right: "The department nowadays uses an agile approach."
Work_wrong: Wrong: "In nowadays, we hold shorter standups." Work_right: "Nowadays, we hold shorter standups." Work_formal: "In recent years, we have shortened standup meetings to 15 minutes."
School_wrong: Wrong: "In nowadays, students submit assignments online." School_right: "Nowadays, students submit assignments online."
School_wrong: Wrong: "In nowadays, teachers assign more multimedia projects." School_right: "Teachers nowadays assign more multimedia projects." School_formal: "In recent years, curricula have incorporated more multimedia assignments."
School_wrong: Wrong: "In nowadays, exams are online." School_right: "Exams are now often delivered online."
Casual_wrong: Wrong: "In nowadays, friends text instead of calling." Casual_right: "Nowadays, friends text instead of calling."
Casual_wrong: Wrong: "In nowadays, people share photos instantly." Casual_right: "People nowadays share photos instantly." Casual_alt: "These days, people share photos instantly."
Casual_wrong: Wrong: "In nowadays, I watch more streaming shows." Casual_right: "These days, I watch more streaming shows."

Similar mistakes to watch for

Writers sometimes add prepositions to adverbs or misspell time words. Watch for these common errors and their fixes.

Wrong: "In currently, sales are up." →
Right: "Currently, sales are up."
Wrong: "Now a days I exercise more." →
Right: "Nowadays I exercise more." or "These days I exercise more."
Wrong: "In the nowadays" →
Right: remove "in the" or use "in the present day" sparingly
Wrong: "In soon, the product will ship." →
Right: "Soon, the product will ship."

Fix your own sentence: a short checklist

Remove any preposition before "nowadays."
Decide placement: front (use a comma) or after subject (no comma).
For formality, replace with "in recent years," "currently," or a precise time period.
Spell-check: make sure "nowadays" is one word.

Fix1: "In nowadays, our office has flexible hours." → "Nowadays, our office has flexible hours."
Fix2: "In nowadays, exams are often online." → Formal: "In recent years, exams have often been administered online."
Fix3: "In nowadays, kids prefer streaming." → "Kids nowadays prefer streaming."

FAQ

Can I say "in nowadays" in an email?

No. Remove the preposition. Use "Nowadays, ..." or a more formal phrase like "In recent years" if the email is formal.

Is "nowadays" formal or informal?

"Nowadays" is neutral to slightly informal-appropriate for most workplace writing and journalism. For academic or legal prose, prefer "in recent years," "currently," or a specific time range.

Do I need a comma after "nowadays"?

Use a comma when "nowadays" starts the sentence: "Nowadays, people..." No comma is needed when it follows the subject: "People nowadays..."

Is "now a days" correct?

No. "Nowadays" is one word. Variants like "now a days" or "now-a-days" are misspellings.

How can I quickly check sentences for this mistake?

Scan for "in nowadays" or replace "nowadays" with "these days." If "in these days" sounds wrong, so does "in nowadays." A grammar checker will also flag the pattern.

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