The difference between yesterdays and yesterday’s can be confusing because they look almost identical, but they have different meanings.
In most cases, the correct form is yesterday’s with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows possession, meaning something belongs to or is connected with yesterday.
Yesterdays without an apostrophe is rarely used and usually refers to multiple past days in a poetic or literary context. Understanding this small spelling difference helps you write clearer English in emails, articles, and everyday conversations.
Yesterdays or Yesterday’s: Quick Answer
The correct form depends on the meaning.
| Word | Correct Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yesterday’s | Something belonging to or connected with yesterday | Yesterday’s news was surprising. |
| Yesterdays | More than one yesterday (rare/literary) | We remember the yesterdays of our childhood. |
Quick rule: Use yesterday’s when you mean “of yesterday” or “belonging to yesterday.” Use yesterdays only when talking about multiple past days.
What Does Yesterday’s Mean?
Yesterday’s is the possessive form of yesterday.
It means:
- Belonging to yesterday
- Related to yesterday
- Happening on the previous day
The apostrophe and s show a relationship between yesterday and another noun.
Examples
- I watched yesterday’s football match.
- Did you read yesterday’s newspaper?
- The teacher discussed yesterday’s lesson.
- We reviewed yesterday’s meeting notes.
In these sentences, the apostrophe shows that the match, newspaper, lesson, or notes are connected to yesterday.
What Does Yesterdays Mean?
Yesterdays is the plural form of yesterday, meaning more than one past day.
However, this usage is uncommon in normal conversation. English speakers usually say:
- past days
- previous days
- earlier times
- days gone by
Instead of yesterdays.
Examples
- The song reminds me of the yesterdays of my youth.
- Many yesterdays have passed since we first met.
This form is mostly found in:
- Poetry
- Songs
- Literature
- Emotional writing
For everyday writing, yesterday’s is usually the form you need.
Why Is Yesterday’s Usually Correct?
Most searches for yesterdays or yesterday’s happen because people want to describe something from the previous day.
For example:
❌ I read yesterdays newspaper.
✅ I read yesterday’s newspaper.
The newspaper does not belong to “many yesterdays.” It is connected to one specific day, so the possessive form is needed.
The apostrophe tells the reader:
“this thing is related to yesterday.”
Apostrophe Rule Explained
An apostrophe can show possession or a relationship between two things.
Examples:
- John’s car = the car belonging to John
- Sarah’s book = the book belonging to Sarah
- Yesterday’s report = the report from yesterday
Time expressions often use this possessive pattern.
Examples:
- Today’s meeting
- Tomorrow’s schedule
- Last week’s results
- Next month’s plan
- Yesterday’s news
These words act like possessive forms even though they refer to time.
When to Use Yesterday’s
Use yesterday’s before a noun when you are talking about something connected to the previous day.
Common phrases
- Yesterday’s news
- Yesterday’s events
- Yesterday’s meeting
- Yesterday’s weather
- Yesterday’s results
- Yesterday’s conversation
- Yesterday’s announcement
Real-life examples
- I missed yesterday’s class because I was sick.
- The company released yesterday’s sales report.
- We talked about yesterday’s problems during the meeting.
- She shared yesterday’s photos online.
- The journalist summarized yesterday’s events.
The apostrophe makes the relationship clear and follows standard English grammar rules.
Yesterday’s vs Yesterdays: Comparison and Common Mistakes
Yesterday’s vs Yesterdays Comparison Table
| Feature | Yesterday’s | Yesterdays |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (rare use) |
| Common in everyday English | ✅ Very common | ❌ Very uncommon |
| Meaning | Something connected to yesterday | More than one yesterday |
| Apostrophe use | Shows possession | No apostrophe |
| Used before nouns | Yes | Usually no |
| Example | Yesterday’s news was important. | We remember the yesterdays of our childhood. |
For normal writing, yesterday’s is almost always the correct choice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Writing Yesterdays News
This is the most common mistake.
❌ I watched yesterdays news.
✅ I watched yesterday’s news.
The news belongs to or comes from yesterday, so the possessive apostrophe is required.
Using Yesterdays as a Normal Plural
Many learners assume that adding -s makes yesterday plural in the same way as other nouns.
However, in everyday English, people rarely say yesterdays.
Instead of:
❌ The yesterdays were difficult.
Most speakers would write:
✅ The past days were difficult.
✅ The previous days were difficult.
Confusing Yesterday’s With Yesterday
These forms have different jobs.
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yesterday | Refers to the previous day | I went there yesterday. |
| Yesterday’s | Shows connection or possession | Yesterday’s meeting was long. |
| Yesterdays | Refers to multiple past days | We remember our yesterdays. |
Real-Life Examples of Yesterday’s
Daily conversation
- Did you finish yesterday’s homework?
- I forgot to reply to yesterday’s message.
- Yesterday’s weather was much better.
Business writing
- Please review yesterday’s sales figures.
- The manager discussed yesterday’s meeting outcomes.
- We analyzed yesterday’s customer feedback.
News and media
- The article summarized yesterday’s events.
- The reporter covered yesterday’s announcement.
- Readers wanted updates after yesterday’s incident.
Similar Possessive Time Expressions
The same grammar pattern applies to other time words.
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| Today’s | Today’s schedule is busy. |
| Tomorrow’s | Tomorrow’s meeting starts at 9. |
| Yesterday’s | Yesterday’s results were unexpected. |
| Last week’s | Last week’s report was helpful. |
| Next month’s | Next month’s deadline is important. |
These expressions use apostrophes because they show a relationship between a time period and another noun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is yesterdays a correct word?
Yes, yesterdays can be a word, but it is rarely used. It means multiple yesterdays and is mostly found in poetry, literature, or emotional writing.
Is yesterday’s always written with an apostrophe?
When it means something related to the previous day, yes.
Example:
✅ Yesterday’s meeting was successful.
Which is correct: yesterday’s news or yesterdays news?
The correct form is:
✅ Yesterday’s news
The apostrophe shows that the news is connected to yesterday.
What is the difference between yesterday and yesterday’s?
Yesterday refers to the previous day.
Example:
- I called her yesterday.
Yesterday’s describes something connected to that day.
Example:
- I listened to yesterday’s podcast.
Can I use yesterdays in formal writing?
It is possible, but it is unusual. In professional writing, phrases like past days, previous days, or earlier times are usually clearer.
Why do we use an apostrophe in yesterday’s?
Because the apostrophe shows possession or a connection, similar to phrases like today’s news or tomorrow’s plan.
Conclusion
The correct choice between yesterdays and yesterday’s depends on your meaning. For almost all everyday writing, yesterday’s is the form you need because it shows that something is connected to the previous day.
Yesterdays is grammatically possible but uncommon and mainly appears in creative or reflective writing. When you are talking about news, meetings, reports, messages, or events from the previous day, remember to include the apostrophe.
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Hi, I’m Safdar Ali, an English language teacher with 26 years of teaching experience. My expertise is in English linguistics, grammar, and the differences between British and American English.
Through Gramiffy, I share practical, research-based guides to help students, writers, and English learners improve their language skills. My goal is to make English simple, accurate, and easy for everyone to understand.
