Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

BMO · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705

I go to church on Sunday, and I go to church on Sundays. The first one is the correct one, but there are many listings of the second one on the Internet. Is it also correct?

Thanks a lot.

bmo

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

Hi BMO. Actually, to say that I go every Sunday, it is correct to use "Sundays." Using the singular makes it sound like I do not go every Sunday, but I am going this coming Sunday.

BMO · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705

Thanks, I got it wrong.

bmo

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

pugachevV · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2295

If you are going this Sunday I would say I am going to church on Sunday. If I say I go to church on Sunday I think it means every Sunday.

BMO · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705

Do you agree "I go to chunch on Sundays" and "I go to church on Sunday" are identical in meaning?

Thanks.

bmo

pugachevV · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2295

Yes. To me they mean the same thing.

BMO · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705

Thanks. Internet shows more singular usage.

bmo

acadman · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Sydney, Australia

The difference between "I go to church on Sunday" and "I go to church on Sundays" reflects the difference between countable and uncountable nouns. The first gives an uncountable meaning to Sunday; the second gives it a countable plural meaning. Both expressions mean the same thing - every Sunday.
Which one to use? Well, that's up to you - if you wish to use Sunday in an uncountable sense, to suggest so many that they can't be easily counted (like grains of rice), then use "Sunday"; if you wish to use Sunday in a countable sense, to suggest many individual days that can be counted, then use "Sundays".
In general, most nouns in English can be given an uncountable sense or a countable sense - it's your decision. Leaving off the "s" or "es" will create an uncountable sense; providing an "s" or "es" will give the noun a countable and plural sense. A countable singular sense is provided by leaving off the "s" or "es" but using "a" or "an" before the noun ("a Sunday"). It's up to you to create the meaning you want using these methods.
_________________
Bruce Sommerville
English Tuition On-Line
http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/acadman/

BMO · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705

Yes, that is why English is so hard, and so confusing.

Thanks a lot, this solved one puzzle. Have a great weekend to you all.

bmo