In English, today’s and todays are often mixed up, but they have distinct uses that are important to grasp. The term today’s is the possessive form of the word today. This means it shows something that belongs to today or is related to it. For example, you might say, “Today’s date is important for the meeting,” where the apostrophe shows possession, indicating that the date belongs to today. On the other hand, todays without an apostrophe is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. It is common to see people mistakenly use todays when they mean something like “the events of today.” However, this is wrong because it skips the necessary apostrophe that marks possession.
As an English teacher, it’s important to remember that apostrophe usage is key to making your writing clear and correct. Forgetting the apostrophe can lead to confusion, as today’s and todays have different meanings. By using the possessive form today’s, you clarify that something belongs to or is associated with today. In contrast, using todays without an apostrophe can make your sentence grammatically incorrect. To sum it up, always use the apostrophe when referring to something related to today.
The appropriate word choice relies on the context and the intended usage:
The appropriate word choice between today’s and todays really depends on context and intended usage. When referring to something linked to the present day, like today’s news or today’s weather forecast, the possessive form is required to indicate that something belongs to today. For example, “The today’s forecast predicts rain” clearly shows that the weather report is for the current day. However, if you simply use todays without an apostrophe, it’s grammatically incorrect. Today is denoting the current day, and using todays here would not be the accurate term to describe something belonging to it. As an English teacher, I emphasize that using the apostrophe correctly signals possession, ensuring clear communication. Without it, your sentence may confuse readers or listeners.
Further examples illustrate the distinction:
Here are some examples to help illustrate the distinction between today and today’s:
- “Today is Monday.” Here, today is used to refer to the current day—Monday.
- “Today’s special is lasagna.” In this case, today’s is the possessive form, signifying something associated with the current day.
- “I will do it today.” Today in this example is used to convey the timing of an action, meaning the task will be completed on the current day.
In these examples, both today and today’s are grammatically accurate, but their application changes based on the context.
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The confusion often arises when ‘s is used after that or what; it means “that is” or “what is.” For example, “Today’s world” doesn’t mean “today is world.” It refers to something associated with the present day.
Here are some more examples to clarify:
- “That is their cat.” This is proper grammar, using ‘s to show possession.
- “This is her plan.” This also follows proper grammar rules with the possessive form.
- When a word ends with an “s”, like Tess, you would say “Tess’s dog” to indicate possession.
- In cases with double possessives, like “their continent’s emissions”, it refers to both the continent and the emissions associated with it.
These examples help highlight the correct usage of today, today’s, and the apostrophe in various situations.
Is it “todays” or “today’s?” Is there an apostrophe before the letter “s” in the plural word of “today?”
What is the definition of the word “today?”
The word today refers to the present day and is widely used in both adverb and noun forms. As an adverb, it describes actions happening in the present day, like in the sentence, “I will do it today.” As a noun, it can mean the present day or time, such as in, “What’s happening today?” According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of today is “the present day, time, or age,” emphasizing its connection to the current moment in time.
When discussing today, it’s important to recognize that it refers specifically to the present day or age, which is why it is often used to highlight current events, tasks, or discussions. For example, saying “Today’s meeting is scheduled for 3 PM” refers to a specific event that belongs to the present day. So, whether you’re using it as an adverb or noun, the meaning remains closely tied to today’s reality.
Does Today’s Have an Apostrophe?
Yes, today’s does have an apostrophe. We use an apostrophe followed by an S to show possession, which means something belongs to someone or something. For example, Sarah’s book means the book that belongs to Sarah. The same rule applies to today. When referring to something that belongs to the present day, we use the possessive form, today’s. This indicates that something is associated with today, such as today’s news or today’s events.
On the other hand, todays without an apostrophe is almost always grammatically incorrect. The only exception is when you’re talking about the plural form of the word today, referring to multiple todays. However, this is rarely used in regular writing and is usually seen in more creative contexts, such as in the title of the book All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai.
Today’s Meaning
Today’s means something that belongs to or is relating to the present day. For example, when you say, “Today’s headlines are exciting,” you are talking about the present day’s news, not news from any other day’s newspaper. The apostrophe in today’s shows possession, indicating that the headlines belong to today. This usage helps specify that you’re discussing something that happens on the present day.
Todays Date vs Today’s Date
When you use the phrase today’s date, always include an apostrophe. This shows possession, meaning the date belongs to today. For example, instead of saying “What is todays date?” which is incorrect, the correct way is “What is today’s date?” Similarly, “Todays date is October 10th” is incorrect, and the proper form is “Today’s date is October 10th.” These examples demonstrate how using the apostrophe correctly reflects possession and helps your writing stay grammatically accurate.
Today’s Meeting vs Todays Meeting
When using the phrase today’s meeting, you always need an apostrophe to show possession, indicating the meeting belongs to today. For example, instead of saying “Don’t forget about todays meeting,” which is incorrect, the correct way to write it is “Don’t forget about today’s meeting.” Similarly, “Bring your laptop to todays meeting” is incorrect, and the proper form is “Bring your laptop to today’s meeting.” These examples clearly show how the apostrophe is essential for making your writing grammatically accurate and conveying that the meeting is associated with the present day.
Other Examples of Today’s Used in Sentences
Here are some more examples of today’s used in sentences to illustrate its correct usage:
Today’s world is constantly changing, and we must stay aware of life’s timelessness as we move forward.
Today’s session will focus on intelligence and how we can use our enthusiasm to accomplish tasks effectively.
In today’s society, many people are still affected by worries and fears, as discussed in Alyson Noel’s Evermore.
Today’s coffee can be the perfect balm for a stressful day, helping you focus and prepare for the challenges ahead.
As Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy shows, today’s students must confront fears and face persecuted situations.
In these sentences, today’s clearly reflects something related to the present day, whether discussing time, work, or society. It shows possession, indicating that something belongs to or is associated with today.
Conclusion on Today’s vs Todays
When deciding between today’s and todays, it’s essential to remember that today’s always requires an apostrophe. This shows possession, meaning something belongs to or is associated with the present day. On the other hand, todays without the apostrophe is almost always grammatically incorrect, except when referring to the plural form, which is rare and mainly used in creative writing. If you find yourself confused about when to use today’s correctly, tools like ProWritingAid can help highlight these confused words in your writing. With its free grammar checker, you can fix missing apostrophes, spelling errors, and more with just one click. This makes it easier to ensure your writing is clear and grammatically accurate.
