Tomorrow's & yesterday's

Question

Hi there:
I am not sure if I should use the "'s" in the following context:

It was discussed in yesterday's (or yesterday) meeting.

The issue will be address in tomorrow's (or tomorrow) session.

She will come to tonight's (tonight?) party.

Many thanks for your help!

Sofia

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

All your " 's "s are right, Sofia:  'yesterday's meeting, tomorrow's session, tonight's party'.  Your alternatives are 'the meeting yesterday, the session tomorrow, the party tonight'.

Sofia101 · Answer

It sounded weird to me because I thought that you only use the ['s] to demonstrate that something belongs to someone (i.e. Joan's book). Thanks a lot

Mister Micawber · Answer

That's the general rule from the grammar book, but the fact of the matter (not the matter's fact) is that there are many common usages where a nonhuman takes 's.  And the usage is growing.

Sofia101 · Answer

Thanks for that. I will try to spot the other exceptions then.

Sofia101 · Answer

Hi there
It's me again with another question on aphostropes and "s". Is it correct two say "in two weeks time? or should I say "in two weeks' time"?
thanks

CalifJim · Answer

Sofia101 · Answer

thanks !

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Mister Micawber & Jim,

By same rules, we should be able to say "today's morning" . Correct ???

Today's morning meeting was very intense. OR

Today morning's meeting was very intense. OR

This morning's meeting was very intense. OR

This morning meeting was very intense. OR

Morning meeting was very intense.

I had heard that "today morning" or "today's morning" are wrong usage.. And that "this morning" is appropriate to use.

Thanks,
Sharad.

Mister Micawber · Answer

didn't say 'rules', Sharad-- I said 'usages'. They don't all work. As far as your examples are concerned:

'Today's morning meeting was very intense.' This is fine; it means 'the morning meeting today'.

Today morning's meeting was very intense. No-- 'today morning' is not natural, so the possessive of it is not natural either.

'This morning's meeting was very intense.' Yes, appropriate.

'This morning meeting was very intense.' This is different, and the past tense does not work because here 'this' refers to 'this meeting' (here and now), which is called a 'morning meeting'.

'Morning meeting was very intense'. No. Every singular countable noun needs at least either an article, a demonstrative, or a possessive modifier.

I had heard that "today morning" or "today's morning" are wrong usage.. And that "this morning" is appropriate to use. This is an excellent guideline-- did I give it to you?

CalifJim · Answer

I wish I had a nickel for every time a non-native speaker said "today morning" instead of the correct "this morning"!!! I would be rich!

Can anyone explain why this is such a common mistake? Are there many languages of the world which use "today morning"?

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