This + day

Question

Hi,Would love to know what you think about this. Where I live, it's Sunday, Sept. 4. If I say "next Sunday," should that mean Sept. 11 or 18? For me, it's the 11th. For others, it's the 18th. They say "this Sunday" for the 10th, which for me is awkward, though I would say "this coming Sunday." Who's correct?Thank you!Sarcandra

Rover_KE · Accepted Answer

Next Sunday will be Sept 11th.

I've never known anybody who would think it meant Sept 18th.

Rover

JohnParis · Answer

Dear Sarcandra,

If today is September 4, 2011, then next Sunday's date will be September 11, 2011.

Period.

Cheers, John

Sarcandra · Answer

All right! Thanks, Rover! Thanks, John!

But what do you think about saying "this Sunday" to mean "next Sunday" when today is also a Sunday? Is that also acceptable?

JohnParis · Answer

No, it is not.

Today is today. Today is Sunday. This day is Sunday.

"This Sunday" cannot mean "next Sunday".

John

Sarcandra · Answer

Neat explanation. Thanks, John.

Wrandom · Answer

Different people definitely use "this" and "next" sunday differently.

For me, if today is Sunday (4th) then next Sunday is the 11th. If someone said "this Sunday", it would be unclear what they meant.

However, if it is Monday (5th) and someone said "next sunday" I would double check what they meant because some people mean 11th and some 18th, because they differentiate between "this coming Sunday" and "next Sunday".

Just to make it a little more complicated, some people (like me) say "Sunday week". Said on a Sunday this would be a little confusing. However, on any other day, "Sunday week" means you go forward to Sunday then add a week. So "Sunday week" from the 5th would be the 18th.

Bye,

Wil

JohnParis · Answer

Dear Wil,

I see that you're a new member and, in case no one has said so, welcome to the forums.

You are correct.

Complications arise when different people use the language differently.

I would not insist on this point had I not personally experienced situations in which medical orders were confused and treatments incorrectly administered due to local interpretations of date and time. My point being that, when used correctly, there can be no room for error in something as simple and basic as a date.

I am particularly concerned with your example of: “…if it is Monday (5th) and someone said "next sunday" [sic] I would double check what they meant because some people mean 11th and some 18th, because they differentiate between "this coming Sunday" and "next Sunday".

If the date is Monday, September 5, 2011, and a doctor or an airplane mechanic were to write orders stating “do *** next Sunday” or “do *** this coming Sunday”, there is only one possible date applicable to these words – Sunday, September 11, 2011. Any other interpretation would be incorrect. The need for clarity is what learners of English as a second language must understand.

You may feel at ease using “Sunday week” in the manner in which you have described, but this localized application always begs a question for further clarification and increases the risk of error.

English is a great and fun language. One of the reasons it's fun is because you can have a blast twisting and turning it to fit your needs, express your emotions or motivate your reader. One of the reasons that it is great is because it is extremely precise and well suited to scientific expression. When the means for precision exist, they should be taught and used without modification.

Best regards,

John

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