today

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "today" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the current day. For example: Today is a beautiful day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And next year?

The New York Times

"We believe together we have an opportunity to demonstrate the true nature of British Islam today.

The Guardian

There is a need to lay out more clearly than ever before what being a British Muslim means today: proud of your faith and proud of your country.

The Guardian

It remains true today".

The Guardian

You can't say that about some of the grey men at the top of British business today.

The Guardian

Today is a day for fond memories and respect.

The Guardian

"These are old monopolies that have become privatised, and I think if you don't get tough regulation, you do get the consumer being ripped off," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The Guardian - Money

Nevertheless, that cannot in any way spoil my pleasure in being here today".

The Guardian

The same is true today.

The New York Times

Today, the cardiologist said, she would get a stress test, an echocardiogram, a mobile Holter monitor, and maybe even a cardiac catheterization.

The Economist

Today is no different.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "today" to refer to the current day in a clear and concise manner. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the date if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "today" when referring to events in the future. Instead, use specific dates or phrases like "in the coming days" or "in the near future".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "today" is as an adverb of time, modifying verbs to indicate when an action takes place. It can also function as a noun, referring to the current day itself. Ludwig examples demonstrate this flexibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "today" is a versatile and very common term used to refer to the current day. It functions both as an adverb and a noun, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and widespread usability of "today", highlighting its crucial role in specifying the timing of events. When writing, be mindful not to misuse "today" for future events and consider alternatives like "this day" or "currently" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this day

Replaces "today" with a slightly more formal and emphatic term, focusing on the present occasion.

in the present day

Adds emphasis on the contemporary era, highlighting the contrast with the past.

at present

Shifts the focus to the current moment, implying a broader timeframe than just the current day.

at this time

A more formal alternative, often used in official or business contexts.

currently

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of something happening now, rather than specifically referring to the day.

this point in time

A more elaborate way of indicating "now", suitable for analytical or reflective contexts.

nowadays

Focuses on the general trend or state of affairs in the current era, rather than a specific day.

the current moment

Emphasizes the immediacy and fleeting nature of the present time.

in this day and age

Highlights the unique characteristics and challenges of the current era.

in our time

Puts events into the broad scope of the speaker's or writer's lifetime.

FAQs

How can I use "today" in a sentence?

"Today" can be used to refer to the present day, as in "Today is a beautiful day" or "I will finish the project "today"".

What are some alternatives to using "today"?

Some alternatives to "today" include "this day", "at present", or "currently", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "earlier today"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct to say "earlier today" to refer to something that happened on the same day but at a previous time.

What is the difference between "today" and "nowadays"?

"Today" refers to the current day, whereas "nowadays" refers to the current era or a general trend in the present time.