Today’s or Todays? Unraveling the Apostrophe Mystery

You’re drafting an important email to your boss, and you pause mid-sentence. Should you write “today’s meeting” or “todays meeting”? That tiny apostrophe suddenly feels like a giant question mark. You’re not alone. Apostrophes, especially in words like today’s and todays, are a common source of confusion for even the most seasoned writers. But fear not—by the end of this article, you’ll not only understand the difference but also wield apostrophes with confidence in your writing.

Understanding the correct usage of today’s and todays isn’t just about grammar pedantry. It’s about clarity, professionalism, and ensuring your message is understood exactly as you intend. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a language enthusiast, mastering this small but mighty punctuation mark can elevate your writing and save you from embarrassing mistakes.

Quick Summary: What’s the Difference?

Let’s cut to the chase. Here’s the breakdown:

• Today’s: This is the possessive form, meaning something belongs to or is associated with today. The apostrophe + s shows ownership or connection.
  • Example: Today’s weather is perfect for a picnic.
• Todays: This is the plural form, referring to multiple instances of “today.” It’s rare and often unnecessary in everyday writing.
  • Example: The todays of our lives are fleeting.

Key Takeaways:

• Use today’s when showing possession or association.
• Use todays only when referring to multiple days (though this is uncommon).
• Apostrophes are not used to make words plural (except in specific cases like letters or numbers).

Why the Confusion?

The confusion between today’s and todays stems from a few common pitfalls:

1. Apostrophe Overload: Many people assume apostrophes are needed to make words plural, leading to errors like todays’ or today’s when no possession is involved.
2. Pronunciation: Both forms sound identical when spoken, making it harder to distinguish their written forms.
3. Rare Usage of Plural “Todays”: Since we rarely talk about multiple “todays,” the plural form feels unfamiliar, causing uncertainty.

For example, a sentence like “Todays meeting was productive” might slip through because the writer isn’t sure whether the apostrophe is needed. But as we’ll see, context is key.

Detailed Explanation & Correct Usage

Let’s dive deeper into the rules and nuances of today’s and todays.

1. Today’s: The Possessive Form

The apostrophe in today’s indicates possession or association. It’s used when something belongs to or is connected to today. Think of it as a way to say, “of today.”

• Examples:
  • Today’s agenda includes a team meeting. (The agenda belongs to today.)
  • I can’t believe today’s weather is so unpredictable. (The weather is associated with today.)

This form is widely used in both formal and informal contexts, from business emails to casual conversations.

2. Todays: The Plural Form

The plural form todays refers to multiple instances of “today.” However, this usage is rare because we seldom need to talk about more than one “today.” When it is used, it’s often in philosophical or poetic contexts.

• Examples:
  • All our todays are shaped by our yesterdays. (Referring to multiple days as “todays.”)
  • The todays we take for granted will become the past. (Again, emphasizing multiple instances of today.)

In most cases, you’ll stick with today’s unless you’re intentionally highlighting multiple days.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Here are some frequent errors and how to fix them:

1. Using an Apostrophe for Plurals:
   • Incorrect: I have three meeting’s today.
   • Correct: I have three meetings today.
   Remember, apostrophes are for possession, not plurals.
2. Omitting the Apostrophe in Possessive Forms:
   • Incorrect: Todays meeting is at 2 PM.
   • Correct: Today’s meeting is at 2 PM.
   The meeting belongs to today, so the apostrophe is necessary.
3. Overcomplicating Plural “Todays”:
   • Incorrect: The todays’ meetings were canceled.
   • Correct: The todays meetings were canceled.
   Since todays is already plural, no apostrophe is needed.

Examples in Sentences

To solidify your understanding, here are examples of today’s and todays in action:

Formal Contexts:

• Today’s financial report highlights a 10% increase in revenue.
• Please review today’s agenda before the meeting.

Informal Contexts:

• Today’s episode of the podcast was hilarious!
• I can’t believe today’s traffic is so bad.

Plural “Todays”:

• All our todays are gifts; let’s make the most of them.
• The todays we experience now will shape our tomorrows.

Origins & History: The Apostrophe’s Journey

The apostrophe has a fascinating history. It originated in the 16th century from French and Greek influences, where it was used to indicate omitted letters (e.g., don’t for do not). Over time, its role expanded to show possession, as in today’s.

Interestingly, the possessive use of the apostrophe became standardized in the 18th century, thanks to grammarians like Robert Lowth. Today, it’s a cornerstone of English punctuation, though its misuse remains a common issue.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Mastering the difference between today’s and todays is a small but significant step toward polished, professional writing. By understanding the rules of apostrophe usage, you can avoid common mistakes and communicate with clarity and confidence.

Remember:

• Use today’s for possession or association.
• Use todays only when referring to multiple instances of “today.”
• Apostrophes are not for plurals (except in specific cases).