Ever wondered whether to use today’s or todays in your writing? This tiny apostrophe often confuses even the most seasoned writers. While the difference may seem subtle, it’s crucial for clear and polished communication.
In this article, we’ll break down the correct usage of today’s and todays, explore their meanings, and provide examples to make things crystal clear. By the end, you’ll master this distinction effortlessly.
Quick Comparison Table
Word | Meaning | Usage |
Today’s | Possessive form of “today” | Today’s event is important. |
Todays | Incorrect spelling (except in names) | Avoid: Todays event is important. |
What Do “Today’s” and “Todays” Mean?
“Today’s” is the possessive form of “today,” meaning something belongs to or is related to the current day.
For example: “Today’s weather is beautiful” refers to the weather of today. On the other hand, “todays” is not a correct word in standard English and is often a mistake unless used in a brand name or title. Always use “today’s” when you need to show possession or association!
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Today’s (with an apostrophe): Possessive Form
The word today’s is the possessive form of today. It shows ownership or something related to the present day. Think of it as answering the question: What belongs to today?
Examples:
- Today’s weather is sunny and warm. (The weather of today.)
- We’ll review today’s agenda in the meeting. (The agenda for today.)
Todays (without an apostrophe): Incorrect Form
The word todays is almost always incorrect in English. It might appear when people mistakenly leave out the apostrophe.
However, there’s one rare exception: it could be used in technical or brand-specific contexts (e.g., as part of a product name).
Correct in Rare Cases:
The website showcases todays trends in technology. (In branding or stylistic writing, it may appear without an apostrophe.)
When to Use “Today’s” Correctly
Use today’s when referring to something belonging to or happening on the current day.
- Today’s challenges demand innovative solutions.
- I loved today’s episode of the show!
Test it by replacing today’s with of today. If the sentence still makes sense, the apostrophe is needed.
❌Today’s schedule
✅The schedule of today
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Why “Todays” is Usually Wrong
The plural of today doesn’t exist because today is a singular noun referring to one specific day. Unlike other nouns, it doesn’t take an “s” to become plural. Therefore, writing todays is typically a grammatical error.
Origins of “Today’s”
Examples in Context
Correct Usage of Today’s:
- Today’s performance was outstanding.
- We need to focus on solving today’s issues.
Incorrect Usage of Todays:
- Todays work is exhausting. (Should be today’s work.)
- We discussed todays topic in detail. (Should be today’s topic.)
Final Thought
The choice between today’s and todays is straightforward: today’s is correct when you’re indicating possession, while todays is almost always wrong. Paying attention to the apostrophe ensures your writing is clear and grammatically accurate.
If in doubt, remember the rule: use today’s to mean “of today,” and avoid todays unless it’s part of a unique context like branding. Mastering this distinction may seem small, but it makes a big difference in polished communication!
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