Todays vs Today’s: Unraveling Commonly Confused Terms

Are you confused about whether to use “todays” or “today’s” in your writing? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with these two similar-looking words. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between the two and provide you with some tips to help you choose the right one for your writing.

It’s important to note that “todays” is not a proper word. The correct form is “today’s.” The apostrophe is used to indicate possession, meaning that something belongs to or is associated with today. For example, “Today’s weather is sunny.”

On the other hand, “todays” is often used as a plural noun, referring to multiple days that share a common characteristic or feature. For instance, “These are the best deals of todays sale.”

Now that we’ve cleared up the confusion between the two, let’s dive deeper into the topic.

Define Todays

Todays is not a word in the English language. It is a common mistake made by people who confuse it with the correct form of today’s. Todays is an incorrect plural form of today. It is important to note that the apostrophe in today’s is used to indicate possession or a contraction of “today is” or “today has”.

Define Today’s

Today’s is the correct form of the possessive adjective for today. It is used to indicate possession or a contraction of “today is” or “today has”. For example, “Today’s weather is sunny” or “Today’s meeting has been cancelled”. The apostrophe in today’s is used to show that something belongs to or is associated with today.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct form of “today” in a sentence is important to ensure clear communication. The words “todays” and “today’s” are often confused, but they have different meanings and uses.

How To Use “Todays” In A Sentence

“Todays” is not a word in the English language. If you want to refer to multiple days, you should use “these days” or “nowadays”.

• Incorrect: I prefer todays music over the music from the 80s.
• Correct: I prefer modern music over the music from the 80s.

How To Use “Today’s” In A Sentence

“Today’s” is a contraction of “today is” or “today has”. It is used to show possession or to describe something that is happening currently.

• Today’s weather is beautiful.
• Today’s meeting has been cancelled.
• I can’t believe today’s already Friday.

When using “today’s” to show possession, the apostrophe is used to indicate that something belongs to or is associated with today.

• Today’s newspaper features a story on the local election.
• Did you see today’s episode of your favorite show?

It is important to note that “today’s” is not interchangeable with “nowadays” or “these days”.

• Incorrect: Nowadays weather is unpredictable.
• Correct: The weather nowadays is unpredictable.

By understanding the proper use of “todays” and “today’s”, you can communicate more clearly and effectively in your writing and speech.

More Examples Of Todays & Today’s Used In Sentences

In order to gain a better understanding of the differences between todays and today’s, it’s helpful to see how they are used in sentences. Here are some examples:

Examples Of Using Todays In A Sentence

• Todays weather is expected to be sunny and warm.
• I can’t believe how much todays technology has advanced since I was a kid.
• Todays meeting has been postponed until tomorrow.
• Many people are concerned about the state of todays economy.
• Todays youth are more tech-savvy than previous generations.
• The fashion trends of todays teenagers are constantly changing.
• Todays news headlines are dominated by stories of political unrest.
• It’s important to stay informed about todays current events.
• Todays students have access to a wealth of educational resources online.
• Some people believe that todays music is too commercialized.

Examples Of Using Today’s In A Sentence

• Today’s date is June 15th, 2021.
• I’m excited to try today’s special at the restaurant.
• Today’s newspaper features a story about a local hero.
• Many people are using today’s technology to work remotely.
• Today’s lesson will cover the basics of algebra.
• It’s important to stay focused on today’s tasks and not worry about tomorrow’s.
• Today’s fashion trends are heavily influenced by social media.
• Today’s weather forecast calls for rain in the afternoon.
• Today’s students are more diverse than ever before.
• Some people believe that today’s music is too formulaic.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Using the correct grammar and punctuation is crucial in any form of writing. Unfortunately, many people tend to make mistakes when using the words “todays” and “today’s” interchangeably. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Todays” As A Possessive Form

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “todays” as a possessive form, when in fact it is not. “Todays” is simply the plural form of “today,” and it should not be used to show possession. For example, “I am going to the store to buy today’s newspaper” is correct, while “I am going to the store to buy todays newspaper” is incorrect.

Using “Today’s” As A Plural Form

Another common mistake is using “today’s” as a plural form, when it should be used to show possession. “Today’s” is the contraction of “today is” or “today has,” and it should be used to indicate ownership or belonging. For example, “Today’s meeting was canceled” is correct, while “Todays meetings were canceled” is incorrect.

Confusing The Two

Lastly, some people tend to confuse the two words altogether and use them interchangeably. This is incorrect and can lead to confusion in meaning. To avoid this mistake, it is important to understand the difference between the two and use them appropriately.

Tips On How To Avoid Making These Mistakes

• Always proofread your writing to ensure that you have used the correct form of “today’s” or “todays.”
• Remember that “todays” is not a possessive form and should only be used as a plural form.
• Use “today’s” to show possession or belonging.
• Read your writing out loud to check if it makes sense and if you have used the correct form of the words.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing. Remember to always double-check your work and take the time to proofread to ensure that your writing is error-free.

Context Matters

Choosing between todays and today’s depends on the context in which they are used. It is important to understand the difference between the two and when to use them correctly to avoid confusion.

Examples Of Different Contexts:

• Formal Writing: In formal writing such as academic papers, reports, or business letters, it is important to use today’s instead of todays. For example, “Today’s meeting was productive.”
• Informal Writing: In informal writing such as text messages, emails, or social media posts, todays is commonly used. For example, “What are your plans for todays game?”
• Headlines: Headlines in newspapers or online articles often use todays instead of today’s to save space. For example, “Todays News Headlines.”
• Advertising: In advertising, todays is often used to create a sense of urgency. For example, “Get 50% off all items in store todays only!”

In summary, the choice between todays and today’s depends on the context in which they are used. It is important to understand the appropriate usage of each to effectively communicate in writing.

Exceptions To The Rules

While it’s important to understand the basic rules for using todays and today’s, there are a few exceptions where these rules may not apply. Here are a few examples:

When Using “Today” As A Noun

When “today” is used as a noun, it does not require an apostrophe. For example:

• Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
• I can’t wait for today to be over.

In these cases, “today” is being used as a standalone noun, and therefore does not require an apostrophe.

When Using “Today’s” As A Noun Modifier

When “today’s” is used as a noun modifier, it can be used without an apostrophe. This is because the possessive “s” at the end of “today’s” already indicates possession. For example:

• Today’s weather forecast calls for rain.
• I’m looking forward to today’s meeting.

In these cases, “today’s” is modifying a noun, and therefore does not require an apostrophe.

When Using “Todays” As A Plural Noun

When “todays” is used as a plural noun, it does not require an apostrophe. For example:

• I have missed many todays with my family.
• The last few todays have been very stressful.

In these cases, “todays” is being used to refer to multiple days, and therefore does not require an apostrophe.

By understanding these exceptions, you can confidently use todays and today’s in your writing without making common mistakes.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have discussed the differences between “todays” and “today’s”, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Below are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two terms in sentences.

Exercise 1

Choose the correct form of “today’s” or “todays” to complete each sentence below:

1.	______ weather is perfect for a picnic.	Answer: Today’s
2.	______ newspaper headlines are full of bad news.	Answer: Today’s
3.	______ meeting was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.	Answer: Today’s
4.	______ children are excited for the school field trip.	Answer: Today’s
5.	______ technology makes our lives easier.	Answer: Today’s

Exercise 2

Now, let’s try using “todays” in a sentence. Fill in the blank with the correct form of “todays”:

1. ______ weather is much nicer than yesterday’s.
2. We will be discussing ______ topic in class.
3. ______ children are more tech-savvy than ever before.
4. ______ economy is struggling due to the pandemic.
5. ______ music scene is constantly evolving.

Answers:

1. Today’s
2. Today’s
3. Today’s
4. Today’s
5. Today’s

By completing these exercises, you should have a better understanding of when to use “today’s” and “todays” in your writing.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “todays” and “today’s,” it is clear that these two terms have distinct meanings and uses in the English language. “Todays” is a plural noun referring to multiple days, while “today’s” is a possessive adjective indicating something belonging to or relating to today.

It is important to pay attention to these subtle differences in grammar and language use in order to effectively communicate and avoid confusion. By using the correct term in the appropriate context, we can convey our intended meaning and avoid misunderstandings.

Key Takeaways

• “Todays” is a plural noun meaning multiple days.
• “Today’s” is a possessive adjective indicating something belonging to or relating to today.
• Using the correct term in the appropriate context is important for effective communication.

As language is constantly evolving, it is important to continue learning and improving our grammar and language use. By staying informed and aware of these nuances, we can become better communicators and convey our thoughts and ideas with clarity and precision.