# Today is Tuesday, when is "next" Sunday **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 3, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138 "2015-03-03T21:08:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/1 "2015-03-03T21:08:49Z")
So, today is the 3rd. When is _“next”_ Sunday? The 8th or the 15th? Or is the 8th "_This"_ Sunday or “_this upcoming"_ Sunday”? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/2 "2015-03-03T21:10:00Z")
All of them are the 8th. We have done this one before and it is surprisingly hard to define exactly. The key timeline seems to be anything over about 3 days away. Tuesday is far enough away from Sunday that all such descriptors reference the upcoming Sunday. If today was Friday or Saturday, the meaning would change. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/3 "2015-03-03T21:11:20Z")
Yes. Heh, sorry for answering a “is it this or that” with a “yes” but that’s the problem with saying “next Sunday”. Some folks will assume the 8th and others the 15th. Since this always causes problems, any time someone says something like “next Sunday” I always ask for clarification of exactly which date it is. I would take “this upcoming Sunday” to mean the 8th, but again this type of thing tends to cause a lot of confusion so I would again ask for clarification just to be sure. And “this Sunday” to me also implies the 8th, but again it’s good to ask. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/4 "2015-03-03T21:14:43Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > So, today is the 3rd. When is _“next”_ Sunday? The 8th or the 15th? > > Or is the 8th "_This"_ Sunday or “_this upcoming"_ Sunday”? > 😕 15th. “This.” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/5 "2015-03-03T21:19:20Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > I would take “this upcoming Sunday” to mean the 8th, but again this type of thing tends to cause a lot of confusion so I would again ask for clarification just to be sure. \*That one \*is clear to me, at least. Good to hear I am not alone in my confusion. ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/6 "2015-03-03T21:24:55Z")
I don’t see how “this Sunday” or “next Sunday” could ever mean the 15th instead of the 8th, if the 8th is after the point of reference. I agree with those who say that various ways to reference are not totally defined and since there’s the possibility of confusion, it’s best to be explicit. Can you guys say this: \ This Saturday we went up and did some winter camping. ?? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/7 "2015-03-03T21:33:18Z")
> [@tapu](#): > > I don’t see how “this Sunday” or “next Sunday” could ever mean the 15th instead of the 8th, if the 8th is after the point of reference. “This [day]” = within the present week; “next [day]” = within the next week. ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/8 "2015-03-03T21:38:35Z")
I think that some use next Sunday to mean the 8th if it’s in the future. And others don’t. That’s why it’s ambiguous: usage varies. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/9 "2015-03-03T21:48:45Z")
For you Brits, if today is Tuesday, when is “Wednesday week”? Eight days from now? ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/10 "2015-03-03T21:59:38Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > For you Brits, if today is Tuesday, when is “Wednesday week”? Eight days from now? Correct. The OP’s problem has no solution. Today is Monday and as far as I am concerned, next Sunday is the next one we come to, ie Sunday 8th. My wife, on the other hand, argues that next Sunday is ‘this’ Sunday… ‘Next’ Sunday is the 15th. I suppose there are worse things to disagree about. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/11 "2015-03-03T22:02:09Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > The OP’s problem has no solution. Today is Monday and as far as I am concerned, next Sunday is the next one we come to, ie Sunday 8th. My wife, on the other hand, argues that next Sunday is ‘this’ Sunday… ‘Next’ Sunday is the 15th. This is exactly my issue, I see it as the 8th, my SO sez the 15th, just like yours does! ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/12 "2015-03-03T22:02:26Z")
Run your finger along the calendar until you reach the “next” Sunday. Which would be the 8th. Run it backwards to reach the “last” Sunday (3/1/15). Sunday after next would be the 14th. That’s the way I read it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/13 "2015-03-03T22:19:00Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > “This [day]” = within the present week; “next [day]” = within the next week. That’s the way I use the terms. But I ALWAYS ask people to clarify, because not everyone does the same. The 8th is this Sunday. The 15th is next Sunday. Why would have two quite different descriptors (this and next) for the same day??? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/14 "2015-03-03T22:43:27Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > So, today is the 3rd. When is _“next”_ Sunday? The 8th or the 15th? > > Or is the 8th "_This"_ Sunday or “_this upcoming"_ Sunday”? > 😕 The 8th is THIS Sunday. Some people will take next Sunday to mean the 8th, others the 15th, which is why I avoid the construction; you always have to clarify. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/15 "2015-03-03T22:47:52Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Run your finger along the calendar until you reach the “next” Sunday. Which would be the 8th. Run it backwards to reach the “last” Sunday (3/1/15). Sunday after next would be the 14th. That’s the way I read it anyway. I agree, except you _should_ not need to say “next” Sunday or “last” Sunday. Just referring to Sunday with a future or past tense verb should be clear enough. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/16 "2015-03-03T22:48:23Z")
> [@tapu](#): > > I don’t see how “this Sunday” or “next Sunday” could ever mean the 15th instead of the 8th, if the 8th is after the point of reference. > > I agree with those who say that various ways to reference are not totally defined and since there’s the possibility of confusion, it’s best to be explicit. > > Can you guys say this: \ This Saturday we went up and did some winter camping. ?? When “this --day” is used in a past tense clause, it refers to the --day most recently passed. “This --day” means the most recent --day in a past tense construction, the upcoming --day in a future tense."Next --can be ambiguous and is used only by Carolinians. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/17 "2015-03-03T23:43:37Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > “This [day]” = within the present week; “next [day]” = within the next week. This is how I parse it as well. But, of course, there is the ambiguity of whether Sunday belongs to this week or next. For me, “this Sunday” is the 8th, “next Sunday” is the 15th, but I try to avoid the construction, as others, because of the ambiguity. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/18 "2015-03-03T23:48:43Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > That’s the way I use the terms. But I ALWAYS ask people to clarify, because not everyone does the same. > > The 8th is this Sunday. The 15th is next Sunday. Why would have two quite different descriptors (this and next) for the same day??? There is lots of redundancy in human language. Why should there not be more than one way to refer to the same day. What day to upcoming Sunday refer to? ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/19 "2015-03-03T23:50:21Z")
In my mind, ‘This Sunday’ and ‘Next Sunday’ are interchangeable - ie they are both the 8th. If I want the 15th, I say ‘Sunday week’. But that’s how I was brought up in my home/school/town. Other people are different. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138/20 "2015-03-04T00:47:39Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > When “this --day” is used in a past tense clause, it refers to the --day most recently passed. “This --day” means the most recent --day in a past tense construction, the upcoming --day in a future tense."Next --can be ambiguous and is used only by Carolinians. But I was say “this past Sunday”. “I went there this Sunday” sounds wrong to me. Rather, it should be “I went there this past Sunday” or “I went there last Sunday”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138.md?page=2)