As we inch closer to 2019, several friends and clients have asked me, "Are we supposed to write it as New Year's or New Years?"
Great grammar question! Here's the quick answer from Edit This®.
It's New Year's (with the apostrophe). Don't write New Years.
Here's why:
Using an apostrophe 's' shows possession, which is important when you're talking about New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, a New Year's resolution, a New Year's greeting, etc. – because all instances refer to something that belongs to the holiday.
* Steve and Leslie love New Year's Eve parties.
* Don't forget your New Year's resolutions.
* I play football with the kids on New Year's Day.
You never want to write it as New Years when referring to December 31 or January 1 because now you've made Years plural by not adding the apostrophe 's.'
One last note:
Capitalize New Year when referring to the holiday, which is a proper noun. If you're writing about a timeframe, lowercase new year.
* Let's meet for lunch in the new year.
* Happy New Year, everyone!
Call Edit This in Denton, TX for all your writing and editing needs
It's fun to tease friends on Facebook or point out errors in written copy, but any spelling or grammar error in business writing – brochures, advertisements, your website copy, blogs, press releases, newsletters, a postcard, holiday card, etc. – wreak havoc on your company's image. In fact, studies show that when choosing between two companies, most customers prefer the one with clear and error-free written communication.
If you're interested in having Edit This handle your company's content writing and copywriting needs, give us a call! We can write copy from scratch or spruce up what you have. Bottom line, when it comes to grammar, everyone could use an extra set of eyes.
*STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This, a writing and editing services company located in Denton, TX. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.