When we write about Saturdays or Saturday’s, it’s important to know how to use each term correctly in different contexts. Some people get confused between these two words because they look similar but are used in different ways. Let’s break down the concepts of singular possessive, plural possessive, and plural forms to understand them better, especially when talking about Saturdays or Saturday’s.
Key Terms to Know
- Singular Possessive: This shows ownership by a single thing (like one Saturday).
- Plural Possessive: This shows ownership by more than one thing (like several Saturdays).
- Plural Form: This simply talks about more than one of something, without showing ownership.
What’s the Difference Between “Saturdays” and “Saturday’s”?
It’s easy to get Saturdays and Saturday’s mixed up, but the difference is simple once you understand the rules for possessives and plurals.
- Saturdays: This refers to more than one Saturday. It’s the plural form of the word.
- Saturday’s: This means something that belongs to Saturday (singular). It’s the singular possessive form of the word.
Here’s a more visual breakdown:
| Term | Use | Example | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturdays | Refers to more than one Saturday | “I love to go to the park on Saturdays.” | Plural (No ownership) |
| Saturday’s | Shows possession of Saturday | “Saturday’s game was really exciting.” | Singular possessive (ownership of Saturday) |
| Saturdays | More than one Saturday (Plural) | “My family spends a lot of time together on Saturdays.” | Plural (No possession) |
| Saturday’s | Ownership of something on Saturday | “We have Saturday’s meeting at 10 a.m.” | Singular possessive |
Let’s dive into each category to make this clearer!
Singular Possessive: “Saturday’s
When we talk about something belonging to Saturday, we use Saturday’s. The apostrophe in Saturday’s tells us that we are talking about something that belongs to or is happening on Saturday. It’s the singular possessive form, because we are looking at one Saturday and its special relationship to something else.
Example:
- Saturday’s plan: This could mean a specific plan you have for one Saturday.
- “I am looking forward to Saturday’s adventure!”
In this example, “Saturday’s” shows that the adventure belongs to Saturday, or is specifically planned for that day.
Plural Possessive: “Saturdays'”
If you are talking about more than one Saturday and something that belongs to all of those Saturdays, you use Saturdays’ with an apostrophe at the end of the word. This is plural possessive, showing that something belongs to or happens on more than one Saturday.
Example:
- Saturdays’ tradition: This could mean something you do every Saturday with your family, friends, or another group.
- “We always watch a movie on Saturdays’ nights.”
Here, Saturdays’ means the tradition belongs to more than one Saturday, such as recurring events over many Saturdays.
Plural Form: “Saturdays”
When we are simply talking about Saturdays in general, and not focusing on ownership, we are referring to the plural form. There is no apostrophe, and this is just the name of the day repeated to mean more than one. It tells us we are speaking about many Saturdays or the Saturday experience in general.
Example:
- Saturdays are fun: This means that Saturdays, as a general idea, are fun.
- “I love spending time outside on Saturdays.”
This is just a straightforward plural of Saturday, with no possession or ownership involved.
Conclusion: How Do We Choose?
Knowing when to use Saturdays versus Saturday’s will make your writing clearer and more accurate. Here are a few easy rules to remember:
- Use Saturdays when talking about more than one Saturday. This is just the plural form.
- Use Saturday’s when showing something belonging to or related to a single Saturday. This is the singular possessive.
- Use Saturdays’ when something belongs to or happens on more than one Saturday. This is the plural possessive form.
Remember, the difference is all about possession (who owns what). As long as you keep these simple rules in mind, you’ll be able to use these terms correctly in any sentence!
