When it comes to Today, many people struggle with how to make the word possessive or use it in different grammatical forms. The confusion often arises between “Today’s” (singular possessive) and the incorrect form “Todays.” It is important to Understand Possession vs. Plural forms of Today’s or Todays.
To help clarify these issues, we’ll explore the various grammatical uses of the word “today,” highlight common mistakes in grammar, and provide usage examples that illustrate the proper use of the possessive form.
The Standard Form of Today
Before diving into possessives, it’s crucial to understand Today in its basic form. Today is a singular noun that refers to the current day or present moment. It stands alone and does not change for plural forms because today represents just one day. In its standard form, today does not need an apostrophe or any possessive modifications.
Example:
“Today is a beautiful day to start a new project.”
“Let’s meet later today to discuss the new campaign.”
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Singular Possessive: Today’s
The correct singular possessive form of “today” is Today’s. You create the singular possessive by adding an apostrophe and an “s” to the word. This form is used to show that something belongs to or is related to the current day—such as an event or schedule happening today.
Example:
“Today’s meeting has been postponed to tomorrow.”
“We’re looking forward to hearing today’s news on the global markets.”
In both cases, the apostrophe helps signal ownership or association with the day’s events or occurrences.
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Plural Form: Does Today Have One?
One of the most important things to remember about today is that it does not have a plural form. Since “today” represents the current day and there is only one day at a time, you cannot make it plural. Attempting to write “todays” without an apostrophe is considered incorrect usage. If you need to refer to multiple days, the correct phrasing would be simply “days.”
Incorrect usage example:
“Todays are always busy for me.”
Correct usage example:
“The next few days will be packed with meetings and deadlines.”
Plural Possessive: Does Today’s Have One?
Similarly, since today does not have a plural form, it also does not have a plural possessive. You will not encounter a situation where you need to write “todays’” (plural possessive), so it’s best to avoid this entirely. When referring to multiple days possessing something, use days’ instead.
Incorrect usage example:
“Todays’ meetings were productive.”
Correct usage example:
“Days’ worth of preparation went into this presentation.”
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Common Mistakes in Grammar: Apostrophe Placement
One of the most frequent mistakes writers make involves apostrophe placement when forming the singular possessive. Some people mistakenly place the apostrophe after the “s” (todays’), assuming that because there are events happening on today, they need a plural possessive. As previously noted, today does not have a plural form, and todays’ is incorrect.
To form the correct usage, simply place the apostrophe between the “y” and “s” to show possession.
Correct usage example:
“We’ll discuss today’s agenda first.”
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Singular vs. Plural: Avoiding Mistakes
Understanding the difference between singular and plural forms is essential in avoiding mistakes. Since today only has a singular form, be mindful of when you’re referring to multiple days or just the current day. When in doubt, remember that today is always singular, and any possessive form should be singular as well.
Scenario example:
- Singular:
“Today is going by quickly, and I need to finish my work.” - Singular possessive:
“We’ll cover today’s most important topics in the next hour.”
In both sentences, “today” is treated as a singular concept tied to the present moment. There’s no need for plural forms like “todays.”
The Importance of Context: Today vs. Other Days
When referring to the time frame of the current day, it’s clear that today will not vary in form. However, in contrast to other days of the week (e.g., “Monday’s meeting,” “Wednesdays’ tasks”), today does not offer a plural vs singular debate. It’s inherently singular because it refers to only one day—the present day.
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More Usage Examples in Context
Let’s take a look at more examples to cement our understanding:
Example 1 (Singular use):
“Today is my favorite day of the week.”
In this example, today stands alone as the singular noun representing the present moment.
Example 2 (Singular possessive):
“We postponed today’s project deadline to next Monday.”
Here, today’s is a singular possessive indicating ownership (the project deadline belongs to today).
Why It’s Essential to Use Correct Grammar
Avoiding incorrect usage such as “todays” or “todays’” is crucial for clear, professional writing. These forms don’t exist in English, and using them will likely confuse your reader. Instead, focus on the correct usage of today and today’s. By paying attention to the apostrophe placement and the absence of a plural form, you’ll enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ever use “todays” without an apostrophe?
No. “Todays” without an apostrophe is never correct. It’s important to avoid using this form. If you mean to refer to something that belongs to today, use today’s.
Is there a situation where “todays’” is correct?
No. Since today is always singular, there is no need for a plural possessive form like todays’. When referring to multiple days, use days’ instead.
Why is apostrophe placement important?
The placement of the apostrophe can change the meaning of a sentence. In the case of today’s, it shows possession or a relationship with the current day. Misplacing the apostrophe leads to grammatical errors.
Key Takeaways
- Today is a singular noun referring to the current day. It cannot be pluralized.
- The correct singular possessive form is today’s, with the apostrophe placed before the “s.”
- There is no plural form or plural possessive for today. Avoid using “todays” or “todays’.”
- Pay close attention to apostrophe placement to ensure proper usage.
- When referring to multiple days, use days or days’ depending on the context.
Conclusion
The confusion surrounding today, today’s, and todays can be easily resolved by understanding that today is inherently singular and doesn’t change forms. The singular possessive is the only possessive form you’ll need. By following these simple rules and avoiding incorrect usage, your writing will be clearer, more accurate, and easier to read.
Table showing all the possessive forms mentioned above:
Form | Example | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Singular | “Today is a great day.” | Refers to the current day in its standard form, with no possessive or pluralization. |
Singular Possessive | “Today’s meeting was rescheduled.” | Indicates something that belongs to today (possessive form). Uses an apostrophe before the “s.” |
Plural | N/A | Today does not have a plural form. |
Plural Possessive | N/A | Today does not have a plural possessive form. Use days’ when referring to multiple days. |
Incorrect usage | “Todays” or “Todays’” | Both forms are incorrect. Today cannot be pluralized or used in a plural possessive form. |
Kyren Paul is an experienced blogger and the creative mind behind “Grammar Vibe.” With a passion for the nuances of English grammar, he brings clarity and insight to everyday language topics, making grammar accessible and engaging for readers of all levels.