In my previous post, I noted “next” Sunday as the one that will fall on March 16.
To me, the Sunday that will fall on March 9 is “this coming Sunday.” The one that was on March 2 was “this past Sunday.”
The whole “this” vs. “next” thing was possibly the biggest argument between my parents when I was growing up (other than the whole exchange of “Hold the tree straight!” “I AM holding the tree straight” when trying to put the Christmas tree in its stand.)
What say you on the whole “next” vs. “this” when referencing upcoming dates or days gone by?
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9 Comments | Leave a comment
I usually quantify, something like “lets go get coffee next sunday, so not this sunday coming up, but next sunday, the 16th, right?
posted 3/07/08 at 7:53 am #
Yes, CSI Sac, you’re right. Specificity is key — that way you don’t have dinner guests who don’t show up, thinking the plans are for a week later.
posted 3/07/08 at 8:24 am #
I’ve always figured it meant the one coming, as that would be the very next one. But, I notice that people mean it both way, so like the last commenter, I just clarify the date.
posted 3/07/08 at 8:38 am #
I’m the same. This Sunday is the 9th. Next Sunday is the 16th. But then in the past tense I’ll go, “I did that on Sunday” (2nd) vs. ‘last Sunday’ (2/24).
posted 3/07/08 at 8:55 am #
Hilarious!!!!!!!!! I’ve had this debate SO many times with people! I say “this Sunday” and mean the next Sunday that occurs and I say “next Sunday” and mean the next week…
Now I’m confused…
posted 3/07/08 at 9:25 am #
This post is is a bunch of hooey. No- wait- the NEXT post… Never mind. I can’t type now anyway- I’m driving and have to take the “next exit” (”Sacramento Next Exit”)- does that mean THIS exit that I’m approaching, or the NEXT exit (meaning the exit after this one)?!?
posted 3/07/08 at 10:28 am #
Too funny. My husband and I take opposite approaches on this. Next Sunday means the 16th to me..to him, it is the 9th. I always qualify as well..”do you mean this Sunday or next Sunday?” He thinks it is strange..but I think it is totally normal and correct. I am with you RG!
posted 3/07/08 at 2:43 pm #
One of the great ambiguities of the English language. The only mistake is in believing there’s actually a rule; the whole argument is based on that false premise. This coming Sunday is technically the “next” Sunday in the timeline, but as long as the speaker and the listener agree on which Sunday they’re talking about–this coming Sunday, or the one after that–it doesn’t matter what they call it.
posted 3/10/08 at 2:05 pm #
p.s. “This” post was RunnerGirl’s 100th!!! Yay RunnerGirl.
Upcoming milestone: Stickie is 7 posts away from #50. You can do eet!
posted 3/14/08 at 10:56 am #
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