Tomorrows vs. Tomorrow’s – Which is Correct?

The distinction between tomorrows and tomorrow’s lies in their grammatical function. Tomorrow’s is the possessive form of the noun “tomorrow,” indicating something belonging to or associated with the next day. Tomorrows, conversely, is the plural form of the noun “tomorrow,” referring to multiple future days.

Tomorrows or Tomorrow’s – Which is Correct?

Both “tomorrows” and “tomorrow’s” are grammatically correct in American English, but they serve entirely different purposes. The key difference lies in whether you are referring to a plural quantity of future days or something that belongs to or is related to a single future day.

Tomorrow’s utilizes an apostrophe followed by an “s” (‘s) to denote possession or a relationship to the upcoming day. For example, “tomorrow’s weather” means the weather belonging to tomorrow. It functions as an adjective modifying a noun.

Tomorrows, without an apostrophe, is the simple plural form of the noun “tomorrow.” It refers to multiple future days, often in a more abstract sense, such as “a string of tomorrows.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The simplest trick to remember the difference is the “Belongs To” test:

• If you can replace the word with “belonging to tomorrow” or “of tomorrow,” then you need the possessive form: tomorrow’s. (e.g., “tomorrow’s meeting” -> “the meeting belonging to tomorrow”)
• If you are talking about more than one future day, then you need the plural form: tomorrows. (e.g., “many tomorrows” -> “many future days”)

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
tomorrows	Plural Noun	Multiple future days; a succession of future times.	We always hope for brighter tomorrows.
tomorrow’s	Possessive Noun / Adjective	Belonging to or associated with the next day.	What is tomorrow’s agenda?

How to Use Tomorrows

“Tomorrows” is used as a plural noun, referring to multiple instances of the day after today. It often carries a philosophical or poetic connotation, emphasizing the passage of time or the hope for future days. It is less common in everyday speech than “tomorrow’s” but is perfectly valid when referring to the concept of many future days.

Example 1: She dreams of endless tomorrows filled with joy and peace.

Example 2: We must not dwell on past mistakes but look forward to brighter tomorrows.

Example 3: The play speaks of life’s fleeting nature, with each of our tomorrows drawing us closer to the end.

What are the different forms of Tomorrows?

As a plural noun, “tomorrows” is already in its plural form. The singular form is “tomorrow.” It does not have verb conjugations or comparative/superlative forms.

Etymology of the word Tomorrows

The word “tomorrow” originates from Middle English, formed by combining the preposition “to” with “morrow” (meaning morning or the next day). “Morrow” itself comes from Old English “morgen.” The plural form “tomorrows” simply adds the standard English plural suffix “-s” to the noun “tomorrow.”

How to Use Tomorrow’s

“Tomorrow’s” is the possessive form of “tomorrow.” It functions as an adjective, modifying the noun that follows it, indicating that something belongs to or is associated with the day after today. It is very common in daily conversation and writing.

Example 1: Have you checked tomorrow’s weather forecast?

Example 2: The team is preparing for tomorrow’s crucial match.

Example 3: Please remember to bring tomorrow’s homework to class.

What are the different forms of Tomorrow’s?

“Tomorrow’s” is primarily a possessive form. While “tomorrow” itself can be a noun or an adverb, “tomorrow’s” specifically indicates possession or relation. It does not have further inflections in this possessive/adjectival role.

Etymology of the word Tomorrow’s

The etymology of “tomorrow’s” is tied directly to “tomorrow,” which, as mentioned, comes from “to” + “morrow.” The apostrophe and “s” (‘s) indicate the genitive or possessive case, a grammatical construction that has been part of English since Old English (though its form has evolved). It signifies belonging, origin, or association.

Related Concepts

Understanding these broader grammatical concepts can help clarify the usage of “tomorrows” and “tomorrow’s.”

• Possessive Nouns: These nouns show ownership or a close relationship by adding an apostrophe and an ‘s’ (e.g., “the dog’s bone,” “Sarah’s book,” “the company’s policy”). “Tomorrow’s” fits this category, indicating a relationship to the day “tomorrow.”
• Plural Nouns: These nouns indicate more than one of something, typically formed by adding ‘s’ or ‘es’ to the singular form (e.g., “cats,” “boxes,” “days”). “Tomorrows” is a plural noun, referring to multiple future days.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “Tomorrow, and tomorrow’s, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time…” – William Shakespeare, Macbeth (This classic quote uses “tomorrow” as a noun and then “tomorrow’s” to refer to the following day’s progression.)
• “We live in a world where the future is uncertain, and we often find ourselves hoping for better tomorrows.” – (Common phrase in inspirational literature)
• “What are your plans for tomorrow’s big event?” – (Frequently heard in news reports or interviews)
• “The newspaper printed tomorrow’s headlines a day early by mistake.” – (A common scenario in fiction or real-life gaffes)
• “Let us work together for the sake of all our tomorrows.” – (Often found in political speeches or calls to action)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. She is always planning for all her future (tomorrows / tomorrow’s).
2. Have you confirmed (tomorrows / tomorrow’s) meeting schedule?
3. The children eagerly awaited (tomorrows / tomorrow’s) trip to the zoo.
4. He believes in living for today, not just for the distant (tomorrows / tomorrow’s).
5. What is the forecast for (tomorrows / tomorrow’s) temperature?

Answer Key

1. tomorrows
2. tomorrow’s
3. tomorrow’s
4. tomorrows
5. tomorrow’s

Tomorrows Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
future days	Multiple upcoming days.
coming days	The days that are yet to arrive.
upcoming days	Days in the near or distant future.

Tomorrow’s Synonyms

Since “tomorrow’s” is a possessive form rather than a distinct lexical item, it doesn’t have direct synonyms in the same way a simple noun or verb would. However, you can describe the concept it conveys:

Synonym/Phrase	Definition
of tomorrow	Belonging to or pertaining to the next day.
the next day’s	Referring to something belonging to the day immediately following.
the following day’s	Indicating possession or association with the day that comes after.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “tomorrow” ever be pluralized without an apostrophe?
Yes, “tomorrows” is the correct plural form of the noun “tomorrow” when referring to multiple future days.

Question 2: Is “tomorrows'” (with an apostrophe after the ‘s’) ever correct?
No, “tomorrows'” is never correct. The possessive form of “tomorrow” is “tomorrow’s.” If you were to imagine a plural possessive, it would imply something belonging to multiple “tomorrows,” which is not a standard or grammatically logical construction in English.

Question 3: How can I quickly decide which one to use?
Use the “Belongs To” test: If you can rephrase the sentence with “belonging to tomorrow” or “of tomorrow,” use “tomorrow’s.” If you are talking about multiple future days or an indefinite succession of future days, use “tomorrows.”

Conclusion

The distinction between tomorrows and tomorrow’s is a clear example of how a single apostrophe can completely change a word’s meaning and grammatical function. Remember that “tomorrows” refers to multiple future days as a plural noun, while “tomorrow’s” indicates possession or relation to the single upcoming day. Mastering this difference enhances clarity and precision in your writing.

Pro Tip: Incorrect use of apostrophes is a common error that can detract from your professional reputation. Always double-check your possessives and plurals to ensure your communication is impeccable.