Todays vs. Today’s – Which is Correct?
The correct spelling is today’s, which uses an apostrophe to indicate possession (belonging to today) or a contraction (today is/has). The spelling “todays” without an apostrophe is a common grammatical error and is generally incorrect in standard English, often mistakenly used when a possessive form is intended.
Todays or Today’s – Which is Correct?
The core difference between “todays” and “today’s” lies in the crucial presence of an apostrophe. “Today’s” is the grammatically correct form, serving either as a possessive adjective (meaning “of today” or “belonging to today”) or as a contraction for “today is” or “today has.” Conversely, “todays” without an apostrophe is almost always a misspelling, a common error stemming from confusion about how to form possessives or contractions in English.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
To remember the difference, use the “Apostrophe for Possession or Contraction” rule. If you mean “belonging to today” or “today is/has,” you need an apostrophe. Think of it as: Today’s weather (the weather of today) or Today’s a good day (today is a good day). If you can’t replace it with “of today” or “today is/has,” then “todays” is likely incorrect. There is no standard use for “todays” as a plural noun in modern English.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| todays | Incorrect | A common misspelling for the possessive form or contraction of ‘today’. | “Todays news report was interesting.” (Incorrect) |
| today’s | Possessive Adjective / Contraction | Belonging to the current day; or, a contraction of “today is” or “today has”. | “Today’s agenda is packed.” / “Today’s a perfect day for a walk.” |
How to Use Today’s
“Today’s” is used in two primary ways: to show possession or as a contraction. When used to show possession, it functions as an adjective modifying a noun, indicating that the noun belongs to or is associated with the current day. For example, “today’s headlines” refers to the headlines of today. This usage is very common in both formal and casual contexts. As a contraction, it stands for “today is” or, less commonly, “today has.” This usage is more common in informal speech and writing.
Example 1 (Possessive): “We need to review today’s sales figures before the meeting.”
Example 2 (Possessive): “The meteorologist predicted heavy rain for today’s forecast.”
Example 3 (Contraction): “Today’s a great day to start that new project.”
Etymology of the word Today’s
The word “today” itself originates from Old English tō dæge, meaning “on this day.” It is a compound of to (meaning “at,” “on,” or “for”) and dæge (the dative singular of dæg, meaning “day”). Over time, the two words merged into “today.” The apostrophe in “today’s” was later added following the general rules for forming possessives of nouns in English (e.g., “yesterday’s,” “tomorrow’s”) and for contractions.
Related Concepts
Understanding these broader grammatical concepts can help clarify why “today’s” is correct and “todays” is not.
- Apostrophes for Possession: An apostrophe followed by an ‘s’ (‘s) is typically used to show that a singular noun owns or is associated with something. For example, “the dog’s bone” or “the student’s book.” “Today’s” follows this rule for the noun “today.”
- Apostrophes for Contractions: An apostrophe is also used to indicate missing letters in a contraction, where two words are combined into one. Common examples include “it’s” (it is), “don’t” (do not), and “you’re” (you are). “Today’s” can contract “today is” or “today has.”
Examples from Media and Literature
- “The newspaper delivered today’s edition promptly at dawn.”
- “In The New York Times, today’s lead story focused on economic recovery.”
- “He sighed, ‘Today’s a day for quiet contemplation, not for bustling about.'”
- “The host announced, ‘Welcome to today’s episode of “Morning Insights,” where we discuss the latest news.'”
- “Her diary entry for June 4, 2026, began, ‘Today’s challenges feel particularly daunting.'”
Today’s Synonyms
| Synonym (for the sense of ‘of today’) | Definition |
|---|---|
| Current | Belonging to the present time; happening or being used now. |
| Present-day | Existing or occurring at the present time. |
| Contemporary | Belonging to or occurring in the present. |
| Up-to-date | Including the latest information or developments. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why is “todays” without an apostrophe incorrect?
“Todays” is incorrect because it lacks the apostrophe needed to indicate possession (e.g., “today’s weather”) or a contraction (e.g., “today’s a good day”). While “days” is a plural, “today” functions as a specific point in time, and its possessive form requires the apostrophe ‘s’.
Question 2: Can “today’s” always be replaced by “of today”?
When “today’s” is used as a possessive, it can generally be replaced by “of today” (e.g., “today’s news” means “the news of today”). However, when “today’s” is a contraction for “today is” or “today has,” this substitution does not work (e.g., “Today’s a good day” cannot be “Of today a good day”).
Question 3: Is “today’s” ever a plural?
No, “today’s” is never a plural. The word “today” itself can sometimes function as a noun, but to refer to multiple instances of “today,” one would typically say “many days” or “on several todays” (though the latter is rare and usually refers to “today” as a concept). The apostrophe ‘s’ specifically denotes possession or a contraction, not plurality.
Conclusion
In summary, the correct form is always today’s, whether you intend to express possession (“belonging to today”) or a contraction (“today is” or “today has”). The spelling “todays” without an apostrophe is a common grammatical error and should be avoided in all written communication. Mastering the proper use of apostrophes is fundamental to clear and professional writing. Pro Tip: A quick mental check to see if you mean “of today” or “today is” will almost always guide you to the correct apostrophe usage, helping maintain your professional reputation.
