Yesterday’s vs. Yesterdays – Which is Correct?
The choice between yesterday’s and yesterdays depends on context: both are correct but serve different grammatical functions. Yesterday’s, with an apostrophe, is the possessive form, meaning “of yesterday” or “belonging to yesterday.” Yesterdays, without an apostrophe, is the plural form of the noun “yesterday,” referring to multiple past days.
yesterday’s or yesterdays – Which is Correct?
Both “yesterday’s” and “yesterdays” are grammatically correct in American English, but they are used in distinct situations due to their different grammatical roles. The core difference lies in whether you intend to show possession or create a plural noun.
Yesterday’s, featuring an apostrophe, functions as a possessive adjective. It indicates that something belongs to or is associated with the previous day. For example, “yesterday’s news” refers to the news that occurred or was reported yesterday.
Yesterdays, without an apostrophe, is the plural form of the noun “yesterday.” It refers to multiple previous days. For instance, “the yesterdays of our youth” refers to many past days from one’s younger years.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
The easiest trick to remember the difference is to focus on the apostrophe. Think of the apostrophe in yesterday’s as a little hook signifying “possession” or “belonging to.” If something belongs to yesterday, use the apostrophe. If you are talking about more than one past day, and no possession is involved, then you are simply pluralizing the noun “yesterday” by adding an “s,” just like you would with “day” becoming “days.”
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| yesterday’s | Possessive Adjective | Belonging to or associated with the day before today. | “I missed yesterday’s meeting.” |
| yesterdays | Plural Noun | Multiple past days; a period of time in the past. | “Our childhood yesterdays are fond memories.” |
How to Use yesterday’s
“Yesterday’s” is the possessive form of the noun “yesterday,” functioning as an adjective to modify another noun. It indicates that something pertains to or happened on the day immediately preceding the present. This form is essential for clearly attributing events, items, or information to the previous day. Its usage is straightforward and generally maintains a neutral to formal tone, suitable for various contexts from news reporting to casual conversation.
Example 1: The stock market reacted strongly to yesterday’s economic report.
Example 2: I need to review yesterday’s email correspondence before the meeting.
Example 3: Despite yesterday’s rain, the garden looks vibrant today.
What are the different forms of yesterday’s?
“Yesterday’s” is itself a specific form—the singular possessive form of the noun “yesterday.” The word “yesterday” can function as both a noun (referring to the day before today) and an adverb (meaning “on the day before today”). When used as a noun, its possessive is formed by adding an apostrophe and an ‘s’, just like most singular nouns. There are no other possessive forms for “yesterday” (e.g., it doesn’t have a plural possessive like “children’s”).
Etymology of the word yesterday’s
The word “yesterday” originates from Old English geostran dæg, a compound of geostra (meaning “yester” or “previous”) and dæg (meaning “day”). The “yester” component is cognate with Latin hesternus (of yesterday) and Greek khthes (yesterday). The possessive ‘s’ is a remnant of the Old English genitive case ending, which evolved into the modern apostrophe-s (‘s) used to denote possession for singular nouns.
How to Use yesterdays
“Yesterdays” is the plural form of the noun “yesterday.” It refers to multiple days in the past, often used to evoke a sense of bygone times or a collection of past experiences. While “yesterday” as a singular noun is very common, “yesterdays” is less frequent and often carries a more poetic or reflective tone, implying a succession of past days rather than just the single day immediately preceding the present. It’s typically used when reflecting on a period of time.
Example 1: We often reminisce about the happy yesterdays of our college life.
Example 2: The old man spoke of his youth as if it were only a few yesterdays ago.
Example 3: Let us not dwell on past mistakes, but learn from all our yesterdays.
What are the different forms of yesterdays?
“Yesterdays” is the plural form of the noun “yesterday.” The singular noun “yesterday” refers to the day before today. To form the plural of most English nouns, including “yesterday,” you simply add an ‘s’ to the end. Therefore, “yesterdays” signifies more than one past day. The word “yesterday” can also function as an adverb, but in that role, it does not take a plural form.
Etymology of the word yesterdays
The etymology of “yesterdays” is directly tied to the word “yesterday.” As previously mentioned, “yesterday” comes from Old English geostran dæg. The pluralization simply involves adding the standard English plural suffix ‘-s’ to the noun “yesterday.” This suffix has roots in Old English and Middle English, where it became the dominant way to form plurals for nouns, replacing more complex inflectional systems.
Related Concepts
Understanding these broader grammatical concepts can help clarify the proper use of “yesterday’s” and “yesterdays.”
- Possessive Apostrophe: An apostrophe followed by ‘s’ (‘s) is used to indicate ownership or a close relationship (e.g., “the cat’s toy,” “John’s book”). It shows that something belongs to or is associated with the noun it modifies.
- Plural Nouns: The vast majority of English nouns form their plural by adding ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ to the singular form (e.g., “book” becomes “books,” “box” becomes “boxes”). This indicates there is more than one of the noun.
Examples from Media and Literature
Here are examples demonstrating the correct usage of “yesterday’s” and “yesterdays” in various contexts:
- “All my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they’re here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday.” (From the song “Yesterday” by The Beatles, referring to the singular day).
- “The newspaper’s headline screamed about yesterday’s dramatic events at the parliament.” (Demonstrating possession or association with the previous day).
- “We cannot change our yesterdays, but we can shape our tomorrows.” (Referring to multiple past days, a collection of previous experiences).
- “The museum curator pointed to the faded photograph, a relic from a time of forgotten yesterdays.” (Used poetically to mean a bygone era or many past days).
- “Have you seen yesterday’s weather forecast? It predicted sunshine for today.” (Referring to the forecast that was issued on the previous day).
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
- The manager requested a summary of _______ sales figures. (yesterday’s / yesterdays)
- We often think fondly of our childhood _______, full of laughter and play. (yesterday’s / yesterdays)
- Did you finish reading _______ report on the market trends? (yesterday’s / yesterdays)
- She wished she could go back and relive some of those carefree _______. (yesterday’s / yesterdays)
- Despite _______ challenges, we managed to meet our deadline. (yesterday’s / yesterdays)
Answer Key
- yesterday’s
- yesterdays
- yesterday’s
- yesterdays
- yesterday’s
Synonyms for Yesterday
While direct synonyms for “yesterday’s” (possessive) or “yesterdays” (plural) are often rephrasing, here are synonyms for the concept of “yesterday” or “past events” that can be used in different contexts.
| Synonym | Definition / Context |
|---|---|
| The day before | A direct and literal alternative to “yesterday.” |
| The previous day | Similar to “the day before,” emphasizing sequence. |
| Bygone days | Used to refer to past times, similar to “yesterdays.” |
| Past (as a noun) | General term for time that has gone by. |
| Former times | Refers to periods in history or earlier personal experiences. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Can “yesterday” be used as an adjective without an apostrophe?
No, “yesterday” itself is primarily an adverb or a noun. To modify another noun in a possessive sense, you must use the possessive form “yesterday’s.” For example, you wouldn’t say “yesterday report,” but “yesterday’s report.”
Question 2: Is “yesterday’s” always singular possessive?
Yes, “yesterday’s” specifically refers to the singular day before today and its possession. English does not typically form a plural possessive for “yesterday” in the way it would for “children’s” because “yesterday” itself refers to a singular concept of time.
Question 3: When would I typically use “yesterdays” instead of “the past”?
“Yesterdays” often carries a more poetic, nostalgic, or reflective tone than “the past.” While “the past” is a broad term, “yesterdays” specifically refers to a succession of previous days, often used when reminiscing about a period of one’s life or history.
Conclusion
Navigating the nuances of “yesterday’s” and “yesterdays” is straightforward once you grasp their distinct grammatical roles. Remember that yesterday’s, with its apostrophe, denotes possession or association with the single preceding day, acting as an adjective. In contrast, yesterdays, without the apostrophe, is the plural noun referring to multiple past days, often used in a reflective or poetic context.
Pro Tip: Correct use of apostrophes and plurals is a hallmark of clear, professional writing. Paying attention to these details enhances your credibility and ensures your message is accurately understood, avoiding common grammatical errors that can detract from your communication.
