Tuesdays or Tuesdays? Understanding Day Name Variations (With Examples)

Language has a funny way of tripping us up, especially when punctuation enters the scene. One of the most common grammar questions people ask is whether to write Tuesdays or Tuesday’s—and it’s not as trivial as it sounds. This little apostrophe can completely change your meaning, and misusing it might make your sentences sound confusing or even unprofessional.

If you’ve ever paused while typing an email or writing a post, wondering “Should I add an apostrophe after Tuesday?”—you’re definitely not alone. English grammar rules about plurals, possessives, and contractions often overlap, making them easy to mix up.

Understanding the difference between Tuesdays, Tuesday’s, and even Tuesdays’ can sharpen your writing, make your communication clearer, and help you avoid those small grammatical mistakes that make a big impression. Whether you’re writing a work email, updating a calendar, or crafting social media captions, knowing which form to use matters.

In this guide, you’ll learn the exact difference between these variations, how to use each correctly, and when an apostrophe is necessary. You’ll also see plenty of real-life examples, helpful grammar tips, and comparison tables to clear up any lingering confusion.

So let’s dive into the world of apostrophes and plurals—and finally settle the “Tuesdays vs Tuesday’s” debate once and for all.

The Core Difference: Tuesdays vs Tuesday’s

Before going any deeper, let’s start with the basics.

The word Tuesday can appear in three main forms:

• Tuesdays — the plural form (more than one Tuesday)
• Tuesday’s — the possessive or contraction form (something belonging to Tuesday, or “Tuesday is”)
• Tuesdays’ — the plural possessive form (something belonging to multiple Tuesdays)

The confusion usually comes from that little apostrophe. It’s small, but it changes everything.

Here’s a simple comparison to clear things up:

As you can see, Tuesdays just refers to multiple days, while Tuesday’s involves ownership or a contraction (e.g., “Tuesday’s going to be fun” = “Tuesday is going to be fun”).

Understanding Plural Forms (When to Use “Tuesdays”)

When you’re talking about more than one Tuesday—maybe you’re describing a routine or a pattern—you’ll use the plural form without an apostrophe: Tuesdays.

For example:

• “I take piano lessons on Tuesdays.”
• “We meet for team lunch every Tuesdays.”
• “Yoga classes are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

Quick Rule of Thumb

If you’re referring to multiple occurrences of the day (not something that belongs to Tuesday), use Tuesdays—no apostrophe.

Examples in Real Life

Imagine a university that holds workshops every Tuesday:

“Workshops are conducted on Tuesdays for new students.”

Or a restaurant offering weekly deals:

“Half-price burgers every Tuesdays!”

Notice how there’s no ownership here—just repetition. You’re talking about many Tuesdays, not something that belongs to a specific one.

Common Mistake

❌ “The shop opens on Tuesday’s.”
✅ “The shop opens on Tuesdays.”

Why? Because the store opens every Tuesday, not on something owned by Tuesday.

Understanding Possessive Forms (When to Use “Tuesday’s”)

Now let’s talk about Tuesday’s with an apostrophe. This is the possessive form of Tuesday, used when something belongs to or relates to that specific day.

Examples:

• “Tuesday’s meeting was canceled.” (The meeting that belongs to Tuesday)
• “Tuesday’s forecast looks sunny.” (The forecast for Tuesday)
• “Tuesday’s menu includes lasagna.” (Menu belonging to Tuesday)

The apostrophe here shows ownership or association—it tells the reader that whatever follows is related to that particular day.

But Wait — It Can Also Be a Contraction

Sometimes Tuesday’s isn’t possessive at all—it’s short for “Tuesday is” or “Tuesday has.”

Examples:

• “Tuesday’s going to be amazing!” = “Tuesday is going to be amazing!”
• “Tuesday’s had some rough weather lately.” = “Tuesday has had some rough weather lately.”

Context is everything.

If what follows is a verb, you’re likely dealing with a contraction.
If it’s a noun, it’s a possessive.

Here’s a comparison:

Tuesday’s vs Tuesdays’: What About the Plural Possessive?

The third form—Tuesdays’—appears less often but is still grammatically correct. This form is called the plural possessive, used when something belongs to multiple Tuesdays.

Examples:

• “The Tuesdays’ schedules this month were packed.”
• “Both Tuesdays’ meetings were postponed.”

How It Works

Add -s to make Tuesday plural (Tuesdays)
Then add an apostrophe to show ownership (Tuesdays’)

Comparison Table

You’ll use Tuesdays’ in rare contexts, like schedules, events, or traditions that span across multiple Tuesdays in a month or year.

How to Avoid Common Grammar Mistakes

Mixing up these forms is easy—but fixing them is even easier once you understand the rules.

Common Grammar Mistakes

1. Using an apostrophe for plurals
   • ❌ “We go there on Tuesday’s.”
   • ✅ “We go there on Tuesdays.”
2. Leaving out an apostrophe in possessives
   • ❌ “Tuesdays meeting was canceled.”
   • ✅ “Tuesday’s meeting was canceled.”
3. Confusing contractions and possessives
   • ❌ “Tuesday’s beautiful outside.” (If you mean “Tuesday is,” this is fine. If you meant ownership, it’s unclear.)
   • ✅ “Tuesday’s going to be sunny.” (Contraction, clear meaning)

Grammar Tip

Apostrophes never make words plural. They only:

• Show possession
• Indicate contractions

Mnemonic Trick

• No apostrophe = plural (more than one)
• Apostrophe = ownership or contraction

“If it owns something or replaces ‘is/has,’ use an apostrophe. Otherwise, skip it.”

Real-Life Usage Examples

Let’s apply this to situations you actually encounter every day—emails, signage, and writing.

Workplace Examples

• “Tuesday’s presentation will cover new sales strategies.”
• “Our team meets every Tuesdays afternoon.”
• “Both Tuesdays’ sessions will focus on leadership.”

In Everyday Writing

• “I look forward to Tuesdays because of the trivia night.”
• “Tuesday’s energy always feels different.”
• “Both Tuesdays’ weather forecasts predict rain.”

Correct vs Incorrect Comparison

You can even test yourself by replacing the word “Tuesday” with another noun.
If “cat’s” vs “cats” makes sense, apply the same logic here.

Read More:Scrap or Scrape? What’s the Difference?

The Grammar Behind It: A Quick Refresher

To truly master this, you need a quick look at plural and possessive nouns.

Plural Nouns

Plural means more than one.
To make a noun plural, add -s or -es.

• One Tuesday → two Tuesdays
• One apple → two apples
• One fox → two foxes

No apostrophe needed!

Possessive Nouns

Possessives show ownership or association.
Add ’s to singular nouns:

• Tuesday’s meeting
• The cat’s toy
• The company’s logo

For plural nouns already ending in -s, just add an apostrophe:

• Tuesdays’ schedules
• Students’ books
• Dogs’ collars

Contractions

A contraction shortens two words using an apostrophe:

• Tuesday’s = Tuesday is
• It’s = It i
• You’re = You are

These rules apply to all days of the week—Monday’s, Fridays, Sundays’, and so on.

Commonly Asked Questions (FAQ Section)

Q: Is “Tuesdays” plural or possessive?

A: It’s plural — meaning more than one Tuesday.

Q: Can “Tuesday’s” mean “Tuesday is”?

A: Yes, when used as a contraction. For example, “Tuesday’s going to be great.”

Q: What does “Tuesdays’” mean?

A: It’s the plural possessive form, used when something belongs to multiple Tuesdays.

Q: Should I use an apostrophe when talking about a weekly schedule?

A: No. If it repeats weekly (like “Meetings are on Tuesdays”), no apostrophe is needed.

Q: What’s the correct form: “Monday’s meeting” or “Mondays meeting”?

A: “Monday’s meeting” is correct—it’s possessive.

Q: How do other days follow this rule?

A: The same pattern applies

• Monday’s, Mondays, Mondays’
• Friday’s, Fridays, Fridays’

Summary Table: Tuesday Forms at a Glance

Why This Matters: The Impact of Tiny Grammar Details

Apostrophes might seem minor, but they affect how people perceive your communication. In professional settings—like resumes, emails, or content writing—grammar accuracy builds credibility and clarity.

For instance:

“Tuesdays meeting will start at noon.”
Looks careless and confusing.
But
“Tuesday’s meeting will start at noon.”
Is clean, professional, and grammatically sound.

Practical Tips to Remember

• Always double-check apostrophes before publishing or sending.
• Read sentences aloud—does it sound natural?
• When unsure, replace the word “Tuesday” with a simpler noun (like “cat”) to test logic:
  • “The cat’s toy” → “Tuesday’s event”
  • “The cats play outside” → “Tuesdays are busy”

Memory Hack

“Apostrophe S shows who owns or is.”
Simple and easy to remember!

Final Thoughts

Tiny punctuation marks like apostrophes can make a big difference in how your writing is understood. The next time you hesitate between Tuesdays and Tuesday’s, just remember:

• Use Tuesdays when you mean more than one Tuesday.
• Use Tuesday’s when something belongs to Tuesday or you’re shortening “Tuesday is.”
• Use Tuesdays’ for plural possession (rare cases).

Mastering this small detail makes your writing polished, precise, and professional.

So next time you type a sentence about Tuesday, take a second glance at your apostrophe—it might just change the entire meaning of your message.

“Good writing isn’t about using big words. It’s about using the right ones in the right way—even if that means just knowing where to put an apostrophe.”

Ruby Skye