As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, we find ourselves caught in a flurry of excitement and hope for the year ahead. Amidst the cheers and celebrations, there’s one question that often stirs confusion: Is it ‘Happy New Year’ or ‘Happy New Year’s’?
Let’s unravel this little grammatical puzzle together. First off, when you’re sending well-wishes to friends and family as they step into another year, you should say ‘Happy New Year!’ This phrase is capitalized because it refers specifically to the holiday itself—the celebration marking the transition from one year to another.
Now, what about ‘New Year’s’? Here’s where things get interesting. The apostrophe indicates possession; thus, when we say ‘New Year’s,’ we are referring to something that belongs to or is associated with this special day—like ‘New Year’s Eve’ (the night before) or ‘New Year’s resolutions’ (those promises we make as a fresh start approaches). It signifies ownership of time and tradition.
But let me clarify: using ‘new years’ without an apostrophe? That would be incorrect! In English grammar, it simply doesn’t exist in proper usage—it lacks meaning and context. So if you’re ever tempted to write “new years,” just remember it’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole; it won’t work!
To sum up:
- Use ‘Happy New Year!’ when celebrating the occasion.
- Use ‘New Year’s’ when talking about events related directly to January 1st or traditions tied around this time.
- Avoid ‘new years.’
So next time you raise your glass at midnight or send out those festive cards filled with good cheer, you’ll know exactly how to express your wishes correctly—and perhaps even impress someone with your newfound grammatical prowess!