So, when is it? I'll ask, just to take an interest.
'Next Saturday,' they'll say: and I'll reply how lovely! or how awful! or are you looking forward to it? or which one are they taking off? depending upon the circumstances.
But I won't have a clue when the event is taking place. When is next Saturday? Is it the day after tomorrow, or is it a week after that?
I don't know - and I don't believe you do, either. Every time anyone uses this expression we all have to do a little jig of explanation while we agree whether we're talking about this Saturday coming or Saturday week.
The expression next Saturday has two mutually exclusive meanings, and is therefore a TOTAL WASTE OF TIME.
Phew. I'm glad to get that out of my system.
I shall be ranting away again next Thursday, I expect.
Luckily, as that's exactly a week today, we all know exactly when that is.
Word To Use today: next. This word comes from the Old English word nēhst, from nēah, which means near.
You're right! It's a minefield. I generally say "this Saturday" to mean the day which is coming up the day after tomorrow. I'd say NEXT Saturday to mean the week after that. I usually add a date just to be clear. Silly, ain't it?
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