Have you ever wondered if to write Thursdays or Thursday’s? These two words look almost identical, but they have different meanings and uses. Understanding the difference helps you write clearer sentences, avoid common grammar mistakes, and use apostrophes correctly.
If you are writing an email, completing a school assignment, creating a social media post, or improving your English, knowing when to use each form is important.
The main difference is that Thursdays is the plural form of Thursday, usually referring to more than one Thursday or something that happens every Thursday. In contrast, Thursday’s is the possessive form of Thursday, showing that something belongs to, relates to, or is associated with that day.
It can also represent the contraction of “Thursday is” or “Thursday has” in certain sentences. Although the difference is only an apostrophe, it changes how the word functions in a sentence. Learning a few simple rules and examples will make it much easier to choose the correct form every time.
Quick Answer: Thursdays vs Thursday’s
Thursdays means multiple Thursdays or activities that happen regularly on that day. Thursday’s shows possession or association, as in “Thursday’s meeting,” and can also mean “Thursday is” or “Thursday has.” Use Thursdays for recurring events and Thursday’s for ownership, relationships, or valid contractions.
Why Do People Confuse Thursdays and Thursday’s?
People often confuse these words because they have the same base word and nearly identical spelling. The only visible difference is the apostrophe before the final s in Thursday’s.
English learners sometimes assume that adding an apostrophe makes a word plural. However, apostrophes generally indicate possession or omitted letters, not ordinary plurals.
For example:
- Thursdays: We play football on Thursdays.
- Thursday’s: Thursday’s football match was exciting.
In the first sentence, Thursdays refers to a recurring activity. In the second, Thursday’s connects the football match to a particular Thursday.
What Does Thursdays Mean?
Thursdays is the plural form of Thursday. It refers to multiple Thursdays or activities, events, and routines that occur on Thursdays.
Thursday is the fifth day of the week when Monday is considered the first day. Its plural form is created by adding s without an apostrophe.
When Is Thursdays Used?
Use Thursdays when you are talking about:
- Several Thursdays across different weeks.
- Regular or repeated activities.
- Schedules and weekly routines.
- Events that happen on Thursdays.
Examples of Thursdays
- I attend English classes on Thursdays.
- Our office is closed on Thursdays.
- She visits her grandparents on Thursdays.
- The library offers free workshops on Thursdays.
- We usually order pizza on Thursdays.
In each example, Thursdays describes a recurring day or activity rather than something belonging to a single Thursday.
What Does Thursday’s Mean?
Thursday’s is the possessive form of Thursday or a contraction of “Thursday is” or “Thursday has.” Its exact meaning depends on the context.
Thursday’s as a Possessive Form
Use Thursday’s to show that something belongs to, occurs on, or is associated with a particular Thursday.
Examples:
- Thursday’s meeting starts at 10 a.m.
- Thursday’s weather looks promising.
- I enjoyed Thursday’s lesson.
- Thursday’s schedule has changed.
- Thursday’s announcement surprised everyone.
The apostrophe connects Thursday to the noun that follows it. It does not necessarily mean literal ownership; it can indicate a relationship with that day.
Thursday’s as a Contraction
In some sentences, Thursday’s is a shortened form of “Thursday is” or “Thursday has.”
Examples:
- Thursday’s going to be busy.
Thursday is going to be busy. - Thursday’s the final day of registration.
Thursday is the final day of registration. - Thursday’s been unusually quiet.
Thursday has been unusually quiet.
The contraction is grammatically correct when the expanded sentence makes sense.
Thursdays vs Thursday’s: Comparison Table
| Feature | Thursdays | Thursday’s |
| Main function | Plural noun | Possessive form or contraction |
| Apostrophe | No | Yes |
| Meaning | Multiple Thursdays or recurring events | Something associated with Thursday; “Thursday is” or “Thursday has” |
| Typical use | Weekly routines and repeated events | Schedules, meetings, descriptions, and contractions |
| Example | We work on Thursdays. | Thursday’s meeting is important. |
| Grammar rule | Add s for the plural | Use an apostrophe for possession or omitted letters |
The easiest distinction is to look at the sentence’s meaning. If you mean repeated Thursdays, use Thursdays. If you mean something connected to a specific Thursday or a valid contraction, use Thursday’s.
When Should You Use Each Form?
Choosing between Thursdays and Thursday’s becomes easier when you identify what you want to express.
Use Thursdays for Repeated Events
Choose Thursdays when describing something that happens every week or on several Thursdays.
Examples:
- The gym is busiest on Thursdays.
- We have science lessons on Thursdays.
- My parents visit us on Thursdays.
Use Thursday’s for Possession or Association
Choose Thursday’s when a noun is connected to a particular Thursday.
Examples:
- Thursday’s exam was difficult.
- Thursday’s report is ready.
- Thursday’s appointment has been cancelled.
Use Thursday’s for Contractions
Choose Thursday’s when you can replace it with “Thursday is” or “Thursday has” without changing the sentence’s intended meaning.
Examples:
- Thursday’s almost here.
Thursday is almost here. - Thursday’s been exhausting.
Thursday has been exhausting.
Helpful test: Try expanding Thursday’s into “Thursday is” or “Thursday has.” If neither expansion works and you mean possession or association, the possessive form may be correct.
12 Examples of Thursdays vs Thursday’s
These examples show how the two forms work in everyday English.
- Thursdays: I go swimming on Thursdays.
The activity happens repeatedly. - Thursday’s: Thursday’s swimming lesson was cancelled.
The lesson is associated with a particular Thursday. - Thursdays: Our team meets on Thursdays.
The meetings happen regularly. - Thursday’s: Thursday’s team meeting lasted two hours.
The meeting belongs to or is associated with that day. - Thursdays: She works from home on Thursdays.
This describes a regular schedule. - Thursday’s: Thursday’s workload was overwhelming.
The workload is associated with one Thursday. - Thursdays: The store closes early on Thursdays.
This describes a recurring arrangement. - Thursday’s: Thursday’s closing time is 5 p.m.
The closing time is connected to a specific Thursday. - Thursdays: We have quizzes on Thursdays.
The quizzes occur repeatedly. - Thursday’s: Thursday’s quiz was surprisingly easy.
The quiz took place on a particular Thursday. - Thursdays: Thursdays are usually busy at the restaurant.
This refers to Thursdays in general. - Thursday’s: Thursday’s going to be a great day.
This is a contraction of “Thursday is going to be a great day.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even confident English writers sometimes misuse apostrophes with days of the week. Here are some mistakes to watch for.
Mistake 1: Using an Apostrophe to Make a Plural
Incorrect: I attend classes on Thursday’s.
Correct: I attend classes on Thursdays.
Why? The sentence describes a repeated activity, so the plural form does not need an apostrophe.
Mistake 2: Leaving Out the Apostrophe for Possession
Incorrect: Thursdays meeting starts at noon.
Correct: Thursday’s meeting starts at noon.
Why? The meeting is associated with a particular Thursday, so the possessive form is appropriate.
Mistake 3: Confusing a Plural With a Possessive
Incorrect: All Thursday’s are busy for me.
Correct: All Thursdays are busy for me.
Why? You are referring to multiple Thursdays, not something belonging to Thursday.
Mistake 4: Using a Contraction Where It Does Not Fit
Incorrect: Thursday’s meeting begins at noon, meaning “Thursday is meeting begins at noon.”
Correct: Thursday’s meeting begins at noon.
Why? In the correct sentence, Thursday’s is possessive. It cannot be expanded into “Thursday is” because that would make the sentence ungrammatical.
Mistake 5: Assuming Every Apostrophe Means Ownership
Incorrect assumption: Thursday’s can only show possession.
Correct understanding: Thursday’s can show possession or association, or function as a contraction of “Thursday is” or “Thursday has.”
Memory Trick: How to Remember the Difference
Use this simple rule:
- Thursdays = several Thursdays. No apostrophe is needed.
- Thursday’s = Thursday’s connection or a contraction. An apostrophe is needed.
Think of the apostrophe as a signal that something more than an ordinary plural is happening.
For example:
- Every Thursday, or several Thursdays: Thursdays
- The meeting associated with one Thursday: Thursday’s meeting
- Thursday is coming: Thursday’s coming
You can also ask yourself two questions:
- Am I talking about a recurring event or multiple Thursdays? If yes, use Thursdays.
- Am I showing a relationship with a particular Thursday, or shortening “Thursday is” or “Thursday has”? If yes, use Thursday’s.
Thursdays vs Thursday’s in American and British English
The basic distinction between Thursdays and Thursday’s is the same in American and British English. Both varieties use the plural form without an apostrophe and the possessive form with an apostrophe.
| Usage | American English | British English |
| Recurring activity | We meet on Thursdays. | We meet on Thursdays. |
| Possessive form | Thursday’s meeting | Thursday’s meeting |
| Contraction | Thursday’s going to be busy. | Thursday’s going to be busy. |
There is no standard spelling difference between the two varieties for these forms. Writers in both countries should follow the same apostrophe rules.
Similar Words: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
The same rule applies to other days of the week. Their plural forms do not require apostrophes, while their possessive forms generally do.
| Plural form | Possessive form | Example |
| Mondays | Monday’s | Monday’s lesson is ready. |
| Tuesdays | Tuesday’s | Tuesday’s appointment is confirmed. |
| Wednesdays | Wednesday’s | Wednesday’s schedule has changed. |
| Thursdays | Thursday’s | Thursday’s meeting is cancelled. |
| Fridays | Friday’s | Friday’s report is complete. |
| Saturdays | Saturday’s | Saturday’s event starts early. |
| Sundays | Sunday’s | Sunday’s dinner was delicious. |
Remember that possessive forms can also be contractions when the sentence allows it. For example, “Friday’s here” means “Friday is here.”
Final Verdict: Thursdays or Thursday’s?
Both Thursdays and Thursday’s are correct, but they serve different grammatical purposes.
Use Thursdays when you mean multiple Thursdays or something that happens regularly on that day. Use Thursday’s when showing possession or association with a particular Thursday, or when shortening “Thursday is” or “Thursday has.”
For example, “I study on Thursdays” describes a routine, while “Thursday’s exam was difficult” refers to a specific exam. Once you understand this difference, choosing the correct spelling becomes simple.
FAQs:
1. Is it Thursdays or Thursday’s?
Both are correct in different contexts. Thursdays is the plural form used for multiple Thursdays or recurring events. Thursday’s is the possessive form or a contraction of “Thursday is” or “Thursday has.”
2. Do you put an apostrophe in Thursdays?
No. When you mean multiple Thursdays or a regular weekly activity, write Thursdays without an apostrophe. For example, “We go shopping on Thursdays.”
3. Is Thursday’s grammatically correct?
Yes. Thursday’s is grammatically correct when it shows possession or association, as in “Thursday’s meeting,” or when it represents a valid contraction, as in “Thursday’s almost here.”
4. What is the plural of Thursday?
The plural of Thursday is Thursdays. Simply add s to the end of the word. Do not add an apostrophe to form the ordinary plural.
5. Is it Thursday’s meeting or Thursdays meeting?
The correct form is Thursday’s meeting when referring to a meeting associated with a particular Thursday. The apostrophe indicates the relationship between the day and the meeting.
6. Can Thursday’s mean Thursday is?
Yes. Thursday’s can be a contraction of “Thursday is,” as in “Thursday’s going to be sunny.” It can also mean “Thursday has,” as in “Thursday’s been exhausting.”
7. Should I write every Thursdays or every Thursday?
Write every Thursday, not “every Thursdays.” The word every is followed by a singular noun. For example, “We have a meeting every Thursday.” You can also say “We have meetings on Thursdays.”
8. What is the difference between Thursdays and Thursdays’?
Thursdays is the ordinary plural form. Thursdays’ is the plural possessive form, used when something is associated with multiple Thursdays. For example, “The Thursdays’ schedules were different” means the schedules of multiple Thursdays were different. Depending on the intended meaning, “the schedules for those Thursdays” may sound more natural.
Remember This
- Thursdays: Multiple Thursdays or recurring activities.
- Thursday’s: Possession, association, or a contraction of “Thursday is” or “Thursday has.”
- Every Thursday: Use the singular after every.
- No apostrophe for ordinary plurals: The same rule applies to Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Conclusion
The difference between Thursdays and Thursday’s comes down to meaning and grammar. Thursdays refers to multiple Thursdays or regular activities, while Thursday’s shows a connection to a particular Thursday or serves as a contraction of “Thursday is” or “Thursday has.” Although the spellings look similar, the apostrophe changes the function of the word.
To avoid mistakes, check what your sentence means before choosing a form. If you are describing a weekly routine, use Thursdays. If you are talking about a particular Thursday’s meeting, schedule, or weather, use Thursday’s. Practise with everyday sentences, and these apostrophe rules will soon become second nature.
I’m James Parker, Administrator at SynonymsHive. I oversee content quality, improve user experience, and ensure reliable synonym resources. My passion is making language learning simple, accurate, and accessible for everyone.
