Day by day means gradually, a little more each day. You use it about slow change: someone's health, the weather or a skill changes a bit every day. The second meaning comes in take it day by day: don't plan too far ahead, deal with things as they come.
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get/grow + better/stronger… + day by day; Day by day, + clause; take it / take things + day by day
- After the operation, my dad is getting stronger day by day.
- Day by day, the new words in my notebook became easier to use in conversation.
- We don't know how long the repairs will take, so we're taking it day by day.
What changed
First versionI check my work email day by day, even at weekends.
RevisionI check my work email every day, even at weekends.
Day by day is easy to mistake for every day, but the phrase describes gradual change. For a habit or a schedule, use every day: I check my email every day.
Day after day also describes days following each other, but the meaning is different: the same thing repeats and becomes tiresome. Day after day he ate the same sandwich for lunch. Day by day stresses that something is changing little by little.
Your turn
Since I started physiotherapy, my back has been getting better ___.
Show the answer
day by day — The speaker's back is recovering gradually and getting better each day, so day by day. The other day means “a few days ago” and points to one moment in the past, while has been getting better describes a process that is still going on.
Write about something that is gradually improving for you: a skill or your health. Say what exactly is changing and what's helping.
My cooking is getting better day by day because I try a new recipe every evening.
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