Todays or Today’s? Simple Grammar and When to Use

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Today’s or Todays? Which is correct?

In this article, we will explore the correct usage and grammar of today’s and todays.

If your question is whether to use todays or today’s in your sentence…

I am almost certain that today’s is the correct answer.

Todays is not grammatically incorrect but it is rarely, if ever, used in the English language.

Todays vs Today’s

Today’s is a possessive noun that means ‘pertaining to or belonging to the present day,’ as in “today’s newspaper” or “today’s date.”

It can also be used as a contraction, to shorten the word, for example, “today’s (=today is) Friday.

Todays is the plural of “today.” This is not common in English as there is only one today.

What does today’s mean?

Today’s is usually the possessive form of “today.” It is used to show belonging. For example, “Today’s date is the tenth of April.”

The same rules apply to other possessives, such as the cat’s bowl, which is the possessive form of “cat.”

It can also be a contracted word for “today is.” For example, “today is a windy and cloudy day” becomes “today’s a windy and cloudy day.”

Example Sentences with Today’s

• Our team lost today’s game. (possessive)
• Today’s moon is gibbous. (possessive)
• I was born on today’s date in 1989. (possessive)
• What is today’s date? (possessive)
• What does it say in today’s newspaper? (possessive)
• Today’s (= today is) such a fun day. (contacted)
• Today’s (=today is) a sunny day. (contracted)
• Today’s (=today is) Tuesday. (contracted)
• Today’s (=today is) the last day of the month. (contracted)

Why do we add an apostrophe?

There are two possible reasons why we might add an apostrophe.

The first reason:

To Show Possession

We use a possessive apostrophe because we want to show that a person or thing owns or is a member of something. We add an apostrophe and the letter s to show ownership.

We add the apostrophe to the end of the word after the s for singular nouns.

Possessive Noun Examples:

• The cat’s bowl is in the sink.
• The child’s toy was on the floor.
• The girl’s hairbrush is on the table.

In these sentences, we show that the cat “owns” its bowl, the hairbrush belongs to the girl and a person owns his or her toy.

Examples of Today’s in its Possessive Form

• Today’s date is the 25th of August.
• I just bought today’s newspaper.
• I enjoyed today’s weather.
• I read today’s TV guide.

The second reason:

To Form a Contracted Word

We might be trying to form a contracted word, which is a word that is made by putting two words together.

The apostrophe shows where the letters would be if the word was written in full. For example, isn’t (is not), couldn’t (could not), what’s (what is), that’d (that would).

Contracted words sound very casual and tend to be avoided in formal speech and writing. They are usually heard in casual or informal conversation or text.

Examples of Today’s in its Contracted Form

• Today’s the best day ever (Today is the best day ever).
• Today’s just a normal day (Today is just a normal day).
• Today’s going to be boring (Today is going to be boring).
• Today’s a holiday (Today is a holiday).

Incorrect Usage

Incorrect: Today’s was a terrible day (Today is was a terrible day)

Correct: Today’s (=today is) a terrible day / Today was a terrible day.

Incorrect: I am going to the house party today’s (I am going to the house party today is).

Correct: I am going to the house party today.

Is it today’s date or todays date?

Today’s date is correct. It is possessive so we need to add the apostrophe and the s.

The Plural of Today

The plural of “today” is todays. However we rarely use this as there is one present or current day, there is only one today.

It is old-fashioned and not really used anymore.

Example Sentences with Todays

• Appreciate our todays, as we don’t know our tomorrow.
• Our parents sacrificed a lot for our todays.

We can also write these sentences using “today” in its singular form. For example:

• Appreciate today, as we don’t know our tomorrow.
• Our parents sacrificed a lot for us to live like we do today.

Can we say “today morning?”

We cannot say today morning. This is a term that non-native speakers of English might use since other languages have versions of this phrase.

In English, we say “this morning.”

The same rule applies to afternoon and evening. Instead of saying today afternoon or today evening we would say “this afternoon” or “this evening.”

Alternatives to Today

We can use “nowadays” or “these days” as adverbs to also mean at the present time.

For example:

• There is so much pollution nowadays.
• I don’t have any energy these days.
• Children don’t respect authority these days.

In Conclusion

Today’s can be used as the possessive form or contracted form of “today.” Todays is the plural of “today.”

Useful Links

• Kindergarden or Kindergarten? How to Spell Correctly!
• Welcome on Board vs Welcome Abroad
• Whoever’s or Whoevers: Which is Correct?
• Is it Week’s, Weeks’, or Weeks? Simple Examples and When to Use
• Is It “Have” Or “Has?” (Examples & Quiz)
• Whats vs What’s: Which is Correct?

Caitriona Maria

Education writer at TPR Teaching | https://www.tprteaching.com

Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.