When you’re writing, today’s vs todays can be a tricky thing to get right. You might think they’re the same, but there’s actually a key difference. This is an essential topic, especially when you want to make sure your grammar is on point in professional communication.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into apostrophe usage, explore the possessive form, and help you understand the rules that ensure your writing stays clear, correct, and polished. Let’s break down this common grammar mistake so you can use the right form in any situation.
Quick Summary
At the heart of the today’s vs todays confusion is the apostrophe placement. When you use today’s, you’re showing possession or association with the current day. On the other hand, todays is almost always wrong.
So, the next time you write an email or professional report, you’ll know exactly which form to use. Let’s look closer at these two words to get the full picture.
Understanding Today’s vs Todays
The biggest thing to understand is the difference between a singular possessive and a plural form. “Today” is a singular noun, which means it refers to one specific day. To make it possessive (meaning something that belongs to today or is associated with today), you add an apostrophe and an “s.” For example, “Today’s meeting” refers to the meeting that is happening today.
On the other hand, todays is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. English doesn’t treat “today” as a plural noun, so you can’t use “todays” in regular sentences. You’ll only see this form in very rare cases that still don’t follow the rules of standard grammar.
Today’s: Definition and Usage
The word today’s is the singular possessive form of “today.” It indicates something that belongs to or is connected with today. Whenever you’re referring to something related to the current day, today’s is the correct form.
Here are a few examples:
- Today’s weather is sunny.
- Have you seen today’s report?
- I’m attending today’s meeting at 3 PM.
It’s important to note that the apostrophe here shows ownership or association. The weather belongs to today, the report belongs to today, and the meeting is scheduled for today. So, the possessive apostrophe is essential for clarity.
If you’re looking for synonyms or other ways to express the same idea, here are a few phrases that can be used instead of today’s:
- The current day’s
- This day’s
- This morning’s
- The present day’s
- Today’s plans
These alternatives might not always fit perfectly in every sentence, but they help convey the same meaning of ownership and association with today.
Todays: Definition and Usage
Now, let’s talk about todays. In most cases, todays is incorrect. You’ll almost never use this form unless you’re doing something very unconventional, and even then, it still doesn’t follow standard grammar rules. The reason is that today is a singular noun, so you can’t make it plural. Therefore, todays should be avoided.
You might come across the phrase “todays’ concerns,” but even this is not ideal. It’s a rare and incorrect use, as the word today doesn’t need to be pluralized.
Here are some incorrect examples of todays:
- Todays weather is cold. (incorrect)
- I missed todays meeting. (incorrect)
- Did you read todays report? (incorrect)
All of these should use today’s instead, showing proper possessive apostrophe usage.
To make sure you always get it right, think of it this way: if you’re talking about something belonging to today, then today’s is your go-to choice.
Side-by-Side Comparison
To help you understand the difference more clearly, here’s a comparison table:
| Phrase | Correct? | Explanation |
| Today’s meeting | ✅ | Possessive: The meeting belongs to today. |
| Todays meeting | ❌ | Incorrect: “Todays” is not grammatically correct. |
| Today’s report | ✅ | Possessive: The report belongs to today. |
| Todays report | ❌ | Incorrect: Should be “today’s report.” |
As you can see, today’s is the correct form in every case where you’re showing possession or association with the current day. Todays never works in these contexts, so it’s best to avoid it.
Everyday Usage Examples
In everyday writing, especially in emails and professional communication, you’ll often come across sentences where you need to use “today’s.” Here are some examples:
- Today’s weather looks perfect for a picnic.
- Please read through today’s agenda before the meeting.
- I can’t make it to today’s session, but I’ll catch up tomorrow.
Here are some incorrect examples using todays:
- Todays weather is beautiful. (incorrect)
- I forgot todays meeting. (incorrect)
- Did you see todays updates? (incorrect)
In these cases, simply add the apostrophe and today’s becomes the correct option. This little punctuation mark goes a long way in ensuring writing clarity.
FAQs: Today’s vs Todays
Q1: Can I ever use “todays” in a sentence?
Although rare, you might see “todays” used in a possessive form like “todays’ concerns.” However, this is still incorrect in most professional contexts. Stick to today’s for better grammar.
Q2: Why does “today’s” need an apostrophe?
The apostrophe in today’s indicates possession or association with the current day. It shows that something belongs to or is happening today.
Q3: How can I remember the difference between “today’s” and “todays”?
Remember: Today’s shows possession, and todays is almost never correct. Always check to see if you’re talking about something specific to today. If you are, use today’s.
Conclusion
Today’s is the proper choice when you need to show possession or association with today. Todays is almost always a grammar mistake, so avoid it in all your writing. Whether you’re composing emails, preparing business reports, or writing professional documents, making sure you use the correct form will show that you understand the important punctuation rules and are serious about your writing improvement.
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