Have you ever wondered when to use “Friday’s,” “Fridays’,” or just “Fridays”? These words may look similar, but they have very different meanings depending on the context. Let’s break it down in a simple way so you can use them correctly.
What Do These Words Mean
To understand the difference, we need to know how apostrophes and plural forms work. The apostrophe (‘), where it’s placed, tells us whether something is singular possessive, plural possessive, or just plural.
Here’s how these terms fit:
- Friday’s – Singular possessive.
- Fridays’ – Plural possessive.
- Fridays – Plural (no possessive meaning).
The Singular Possessive: Friday’
What Does It Mean?
When you write “Friday’s,” it shows something belongs to one Friday. For example:
- Friday’s weather means the weather that belongs to one Friday.
- Friday’s party means the party happening on one specific Friday.
Examples in Sentences
- Friday’s lunch special is pizza.
- I can’t wait for Friday’s football game.
The apostrophe before the “s” shows that something is connected to a single Friday.
The Plural Possessive: Fridays’
What Does It Mean?
“Fridays’” is used when you’re talking about more than one Friday, and those Fridays own something. For example:
- The Fridays’ events means events belonging to multiple Fridays.
- Fridays’ schedules refers to the schedules of several Fridays.
Examples in Sentences
- The Fridays’ meetings are always productive.
- I need to review all the Fridays’ reports before next week.
The apostrophe after the “s” shows possession for more than one Friday.
The Plural Form: Fridays
What Does It Mean?
“Fridays” is simply the plural form of “Friday.” It means more than one Friday but doesn’t show possession. For example:
- Fridays are fun means all Fridays in general are fun.
- I love Fridays refers to the day of the week without any possession.
Examples in Sentences
- Fridays are perfect for relaxing.
- We have gym class on Fridays.
No apostrophe is used here because there’s no ownership involved.
Quick Comparison Table
Word | Meaning | Examples |
---|---|---|
Friday’s | Singular possessive (something belongs to one Friday) | Friday’s weather, Friday’s special offer |
Fridays’ | Plural possessive (something belongs to multiple Fridays) | The Fridays’ schedules, Fridays’ meetings |
Fridays | Plural (more than one Friday, no possession) | Fridays are exciting, I love Fridays |
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Mixing Up Singular and Plural Possessive
People often confuse “Friday’s” with “Fridays’.” Remember:
- Use Friday’s for one Friday owning something.
- Use Fridays’ for many Fridays owning something.
Mistake 2: Adding an Apostrophe to Plurals
Adding an apostrophe to “Fridays” when no possession is involved is incorrect.
- Wrong: I enjoy Friday’s.
- Right: I enjoy Fridays.
Fun Tip to Remember
Think of the apostrophe as a little “hand” showing ownership:
- If it’s before the “s”, one hand is pointing to one Friday (Friday’s).
- If it’s after the “s”, many hands are pointing to multiple Fridays (Fridays’).
- If there’s no apostrophe, no hands are pointing, just plural Fridays.
Practice Time!
Let’s practice what you’ve learned! Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
- I’m excited about __________ lunch special.
- We always go to the park on __________.
- The __________ themes were all amazing last month.
Answers:
- Friday’s
- Fridays
- Fridays’
Conclusion
Now you know the difference between “Friday’s,” “Fridays’,” and “Fridays”! It’s all about whether you’re talking about possession or just the plural form. Use this guide and table to get it right every time. Happy writing! 🎉