Navigating the Ambiguity of English Calendar References

In episode 429 of Everybody ESL, host Ben addresses one of the most notoriously confusing aspects of the English language: how to correctly refer to days of the week when discussing future plans. Even for native speakers, the distinction between "this" and "next" can lead to genuine misunderstandings.

The Core Dilemma: Defining the Timeline

To illustrate the confusion, Ben sets a hypothetical scenario: Today is Monday the 1st.

If you are planning an event for Friday the 5th, you might logically assume it should be called "next Friday" because it is the next occurrence of Friday on the calendar. However, Ben clarifies that in English, this is incorrect.

The "This Friday" Rule

Ben explains that the term "this Friday" is reserved for any event occurring within the "same week." Even though it feels counterintuitive, if today is Monday the 1st, the Friday of that same week (the 5th) must be referred to as "this Friday."

Key takeaways regarding this usage:

• "This Friday": Refers to the Friday happening in the current week.
• "This coming Friday": An alternative phrase used to add clarity, explicitly signaling the Friday that is arriving soonest.

Understanding "Next Friday"

Conversely, the term "next Friday" is reserved for the week that follows. Using the same example (Monday the 1st), if your event is scheduled for Friday the 12th, that day falls in the following week. Therefore, it is correctly identified as "next Friday."

Why It Remains Confusing

Ben candidly admits that this topic is "often confusing to native English speakers" themselves. Because the distinction is so subtle, it is common to overhear conversations where native speakers have to clarify the timeline:

"My party is next Friday. Wait, do you mean your party is this Friday? Or do you mean it's the Friday in next week?"

This ambiguity highlights that even among those who speak English as a first language, the definitions of "this" and "next" are not always strictly followed or perfectly understood.

Strategies for Absolute Clarity

Given the potential for miscommunication, Ben suggests a foolproof method to avoid confusion: Use the specific date.

If there is any ambiguity about whether you mean the current week or the following week, simply state the date. For example, saying "Sunday the 7th" or "Sunday the 14th" eliminates any guesswork. By providing the specific date, you remove the reliance on the ambiguous labels of "this" or "next," ensuring that your listener knows exactly when the event will take place.

Conclusion

While the rules for "this" versus "next" are a common source of frustration for learners, they are a fundamental part of English temporal expression. By remembering that "this" refers to the current week and "next" refers to the following week, you can navigate these conversations with greater confidence—or simply opt for the date to ensure total clarity.