As the clock ticks down to midnight on December 31, a familiar question arises: how do we wish each other well as one year fades into another? The air is filled with excitement and anticipation, but amidst the celebrations, there’s often confusion about how to properly express our good wishes. Is it ‘Happy New Year,’ ‘New Year’s,’ or perhaps even ‘New Years’? Let’s unravel this linguistic puzzle together.
First off, let’s talk about the correct phrase for ringing in the holiday itself. When you’re sending out greetings or writing cards during this festive time, you should say "Happy New Year!" Here, both words are capitalized because they refer specifically to the holiday celebration that marks the transition from one year to another. It feels warm and inviting—just like a friendly hug at midnight.
Now, what about those pesky apostrophes? This is where many of us stumble. If you’re referring to anything that belongs specifically to this holiday—like New Year’s Eve (the night before) or New Year’s Day (the first day of January)—you’ll want to use an apostrophe followed by an ‘s.’ So when you’re planning your party or making resolutions for self-improvement come January 1st, remember: it’s always "New Year’s" with that possessive touch.
But wait! What if you find yourself tempted by “New Years”? Spoiler alert: it doesn’t exist in proper English usage. While it may sound similar when spoken aloud—and can sometimes slip through our fingers while typing—it lacks grammatical grounding. Think of it as trying to fit a square peg into a round hole; no matter how hard you try, it just won’t work!
So why does all this matter? Well beyond grammar rules lies something deeper—the way we communicate our hopes and dreams for ourselves and others as we step into uncharted territory every new year brings. Whether it’s setting goals or reconnecting with loved ones after busy months apart,
your choice of words carries weight.
In summary:
- Use "Happy New Year!" when celebrating the occasion itself.
- Opt for "New Year’s Eve" and "New Year’s Day" when discussing specific days related directly to these festivities.
- Avoid using “new years” altogether—it simply isn’t right!
With these guidelines tucked away in your back pocket, go forth confidently wishing everyone around you joyfully happy new beginnings!