Days of the Week: Names, Order and Abbreviations in English

The days of the week are among the most used words in the English language. They appear in every conversation about time, every school timetable, every work schedule, every calendar, and every plan made between people. 'What day is it today?' 'The meeting is on Thursday.' 'We leave on Saturday.' 'She was born on a Wednesday.' Understanding the days of the week in English, including their names, correct order, abbreviations, capitalisation rules and origins, is an essential part of both English language learning and everyday life.

This page provides the most comprehensive guide to the days of the week available. It covers all seven days, their correct order, their full names and short forms, the abbreviation for days of the week, whether days of the week are capitalised, how to use them correctly in sentences and comprehensive practice exercises for learners at every level.

 

Table of Contents

• All Days of the Week: Names and Order
• Abbreviation for Days of the Week
• Weekdays and the Weekend
• Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
• Days of the Week: Grammar Rules
• Days of the Week in Sentences
• What Happens on Each Day: Connecting Days to Routines
• How to Remember the Days of the Week
• Practice Exercises for Days of the Week
• Frequently Asked Questions about Days of the Week

 

All Days of the Week: Names and Order

There are seven days of the week. They always follow the same order, and, in most countries, including India, the UK and most of Europe, the week begins on Monday. In some countries, including the United States, the week is considered to begin on Sunday.

All Days of the Week: Complete Reference Table

 

Number	Day	Pronunciation	Short Form	Origin
1	Monday	MUN-day	Mon	Moon's day
2	Tuesday	TYOOZ-day	Tue	Tiw's day (Norse god of war)
3	Wednesday	WENZ-day	Wed	Woden's day (Norse chief god)
4	Thursday	THURZ-day	Thu	Thor's day (Norse god of thunder)
5	Friday	FRY-day	Fri	Frigg's day (Norse goddess)
6	Saturday	SAT-er-day	Sat	Saturn's day (Roman god)
7	Sunday	SUN-day	Sun	Sun's day

 

Key Facts about All Days of the Week

• There are exactly seven days of the week, no more and no fewer.
• The days always follow the same fixed order every year in every country using the Gregorian calendar.
• After Sunday, the cycle begins again with Monday. The week repeats continuously.
• The seven-day week has been in use across the world for thousands of years and is now the universal standard.

 

Abbreviation for Days of the Week

The abbreviation for days of the week are shortened forms used in calendars, timetables, planners, schedules, and other contexts where space is limited. There are two main systems of abbreviation in common use: three-letter abbreviations and two-letter abbreviations.

Three-Letter Abbreviations for Days of the Week (Most Common)

The three-letter form is the most widely used abbreviation for days of the week in English. It is used in most printed and digital calendars, academic timetables, and business schedules.

 

Day	Three-Letter Abbreviation
Monday	Mon
Tuesday	Tue
Wednesday	Wed
Thursday	Thu
Friday	Fri
Saturday	Sat
Sunday	Sun

 

Two-Letter Abbreviations for Days of the Week

The two-letter form is used in some specific contexts, including certain programming languages, compact digital displays, and some scheduling systems.

 

Day	Two-Letter Abbreviation
Monday	Mo
Tuesday	Tu
Wednesday	We
Thursday	Th
Friday	Fr
Saturday	Sa
Sunday	Su

 

Weekdays and the Weekend

The seven days of the week are divided into two groups: weekdays and the weekend.

Weekdays: Monday to Friday

Weekdays are the five days from Monday to Friday. In most countries, these are the days when schools are open, businesses operate, and the working week runs.

The five weekdays: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.

• 'I go to school on weekdays.'
• 'The office is open Monday to Friday.'
• 'She works five weekdays and rests on the weekend.'

The Weekend: Saturday and Sunday

The weekend consists of the last two days of the week: Saturday and Sunday. In most countries, these are non-working, non-school days used for rest, recreation, and family time.

• 'The weekend begins on Saturday morning.'
• 'We always have a family meal on the weekend.'
• 'There is no school on the weekend.'

Reference Table: Weekdays and Weekend

 

Day	Type	School/Work Day?
Monday	Weekday	Yes
Tuesday	Weekday	Yes
Wednesday	Weekday	Yes
Thursday	Weekday	Yes
Friday	Weekday	Yes
Saturday	Weekend	No (for most)
Sunday	Weekend	No (for most)

 

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Once the names of the days of the week are known, the next step is learning how to navigate time using three essential words: yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Today, Yesterday and Tomorrow: Definitions

 

Word	Meaning	Example
Today	The current day, the day that is happening right now	'Today is Wednesday.'
Yesterday	The day immediately before today	'Yesterday was Tuesday.'
Tomorrow	The day immediately after today	'Tomorrow will be Thursday.'

 

How they work together:

1. If today is Wednesday:

• Yesterday was Tuesday.
• Tomorrow will be Thursday.

2. If today is Friday:

• Yesterday was Thursday.
• Tomorrow will be Saturday.

3. If today is Sunday:

• Yesterday was Saturday.
• Tomorrow will be Monday (the new week begins).

4. If today is Monday:

• Yesterday was Sunday (last week's final day).
• Tomorrow will be Tuesday.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow in Sentences

• 'Today is Monday, the first day of the new week.'
• 'Yesterday was Sunday, and we went to the temple in the morning.'
• 'Tomorrow is Wednesday, which is the middle of the week.'
• 'She left yesterday, which means she left on Friday.'
• 'The results will be announced tomorrow, which is Thursday.'

 

Days of the Week: Grammar Rules

Beyond capitalisation, the days of the week in English follow several important grammar rules that affect how they are used in sentences.

Rule 1: Always Use a Capital Letter

All days of the week are proper nouns and always begin with a capital letter in all positions in a sentence.

Rule 2: Use 'on' before Days of the Week

In English, the preposition used before a specific day is 'on'.

• 'The meeting is on Monday.'
• 'She was born on a Sunday.'
• 'We play football on Saturdays.'

Rule 3: Using 'This', 'Next' and 'Last' with Days of the Week

'This' refers to the day in the current week.

• 'This Monday, we have an assembly.'

'Next' refers to the day in the following week.

• 'Next Friday is a public holiday.'

'Last' refers to the day in the previous week.

• 'Last Wednesday, we had a test.'

Rule 4: Days of the Week as Adjectives

When a day of the week modifies a noun (describes when something happens), it is used as an adjective. No change in form is needed.

• 'The Monday meeting was cancelled.'
• 'She has a Friday appointment.'
• 'He loves Sunday mornings.'

Rule 5: Plurals of Days of the Week

When referring to all instances of a particular day (for example, every Monday), the day is made plural by adding '-s' or '-ys'.

• 'She visits every Monday.' (singular, each week)
• 'She visits on Mondays.' (plural, referring to all Mondays habitually)
• 'Sundays are my favourite days.'
• 'He works Saturdays during the busy season.'

Rule 6: No Article Needed in Most Cases

Unlike many nouns, the days of the week do not usually need an article ('a' or 'the') when referring to a specific day in the current or coming week.

• 'I have a class on Monday.' (not 'on the Monday')
• 'Friday is a holiday.' (not 'The Friday is a holiday')

 

Days of the Week in Sentences

The following sentences demonstrate the days of the week in English used correctly across different contexts and grammatical structures.

Simple sentences:

• 'Monday is the first day of the working week.'
• 'We have football practice on Tuesday evenings.'
• 'Wednesday is exactly halfway through the school week.'
• 'She has a piano lesson every Thursday.'
• 'Friday is the last school day of the week.'
• 'The market opens on Saturday morning.'
• 'Sunday is a day of rest for most families.'

Sentences with yesterday, today and tomorrow:

• 'Today is Thursday. Yesterday was Wednesday and tomorrow will be Friday.'
• 'She left for the school trip yesterday, which means she left on Monday.'
• 'The exam is tomorrow, so that means it is on Friday.'

Sentences with this, next and last:

• 'This Wednesday, we are having a special assembly.'
• 'Next Monday is the first day of the new term.'
• 'Last Friday was a public holiday.'
• 'I will see her next Thursday at the meeting.'

Sentences with plurals:

• 'She goes swimming on Tuesdays and Thursdays.'
• 'Saturdays are always busy in our house.'
• 'The library is closed on Sundays.'
• 'He works Mondays to Fridays and rests on weekends.'

 

What Happens on Each Day: Connecting Days to Routines

Understanding the days of the week becomes more meaningful when each day is connected to real activities and routines. The following section provides a complete guide to what typically happens on each day for students and families.

Monday: The Fresh Start

Monday is the first day of the week in the standard English-language calendar. After the weekend, it marks a fresh beginning: the return to school, work, and structured routine.

Common Monday events: First day back after the weekend; new lessons begin; morning assemblies in many schools; sports fixtures announced for the week.

• 'On Monday, the school week begins and we receive our timetable for the week.'
• 'Many people find Monday the most challenging day because the weekend has ended.'
• 'Monday mornings often feel the busiest in the office.'

Tuesday: Into the Rhythm

Tuesday is the second weekday. By Tuesday, the week has settled into its rhythm, and the fresh-start energy of Monday has given way to focused work and study.

Common Tuesday events: Regular school classes in full swing; sports practices; library visits in many schools.

• 'We have our science practical class on Tuesday afternoons.'
• 'Tuesday is often the most productive day of the week because people have settled back into routine.'

Wednesday: The Middle of the Week

Wednesday is the third weekday and sits exactly in the middle of the five-day working and school week. It is sometimes informally called 'hump day' in English, suggesting that once you pass Wednesday, you are over the hump and heading toward the weekend.

Common Wednesday events: Art, music, or drama classes in many schools; mid-week sports fixtures; after-school clubs and activities.

• 'Wednesday is the midpoint of the school week.'
• 'We have our art class every Wednesday morning.'
• 'Once Wednesday is done, the weekend feels close.'

Thursday: The Penultimate Weekday

Thursday is the fourth weekday. By Thursday, the week is nearly complete, and the weekend is beginning to feel close. It is often one of the busiest days of the school and working week.

Common Thursday events: Music, dance, or drama performances in schools; science experiments; assignment deadlines in many schools; busy work schedules.

• 'Our Thursday is usually the most packed day of the school week.'
• 'She has her music lesson every Thursday after school.'
• 'Thursday is just one day before the weekend begins.'

Friday: The Last Weekday

Friday is the fifth and final weekday. It is widely regarded as the most anticipated school and work day of the week because the weekend begins immediately after it. Many schools hold special activities, assemblies, or celebrations on Fridays.

Common Friday events: End-of-week school assemblies; show and tell or class sharing; submission of weekly work; celebrations of the coming weekend.

• 'Friday is the last day of the school week.'
• 'Everyone is in high spirits on Friday afternoon.'
• 'Our school has a general assembly every Friday morning.'

Saturday: The First Weekend Day

Saturday is the first day of the weekend and the sixth day of the week. It is typically a non-school, non-work day used for recreation, family outings, sports, and social activities.

Common Saturday events: Family outings and picnics; sporting events and competitions; shopping; visiting friends and relatives; hobby and extracurricular classes.

• 'Saturday morning is our family's favourite time for a long breakfast.'
• 'She has her swimming competition every other Saturday.'
• 'Many children attend drawing classes or music lessons on Saturday mornings.'

Sunday: The Last Day of the Week

Sunday is the seventh and final day of the week. It is traditionally a day of rest, religious observance for many families, and quiet family time. By Sunday evening, many students and working adults begin to prepare for the week ahead.

Common Sunday events: Religious observances and temple or church visits; family meals; rest and relaxation; preparation for the new week; outdoor activities.

• 'Sunday evenings in our house are spent packing school bags for Monday.'
• 'Many families in India have a large lunch together on Sunday.'
• 'Sunday is the last day of the week; after it, the new week begins with Monday.'

 

How to Remember the Days of the Week

Learning all seven days of the week in the correct order is a significant achievement, especially for younger learners. The following strategies make it easier.

Strategy 1: The Finger Method

Hold up one finger for each day while saying its name aloud.

• Thumb: Monday
• Index finger: Tuesday
• Middle finger: Wednesday
• Ring finger: Thursday
• Little finger: Friday
• Back to thumb: Saturday
• Index finger: Sunday

Counting on fingers connects the body to the learning, which significantly improves memory for young learners.

Strategy 2: The Story Method

Turn the days into a short, memorable story.

'Monday walked in first, carrying a heavy school bag. Tuesday arrived next, bringing a blue pencil. Wednesday sat in the middle and painted a picture. Thursday came after and played the drum. Friday ran in last among the weekdays, shouting that the weekend had arrived. Saturday came in with a picnic basket and a big smile. Sunday tiptoed in quietly, yawned, and went to sleep.'

Stories with character and action are remembered far more reliably than abstract lists.

Strategy 3: The Colour Method

Assign a colour to each day and draw or colour a weekly strip. Visual learners find this approach very effective.

• Monday: Blue
• Tuesday: Green
• Wednesday: Yellow
• Thursday: Orange
• Friday: Red
• Saturday: Purple
• Sunday: White

Strategy 4: The Calendar Method

Keep a physical calendar or planner and mark each day as it passes. Every morning, identify today's day, cross off yesterday, and look ahead to tomorrow. This builds both vocabulary and a practical, lived sense of time and sequence.

Strategy 5: Daily Check-In

Every morning, practise three simple questions:

• What day is today?
• What day was yesterday?
• What day will tomorrow be?

This daily repetition, done consistently for several weeks, embeds the order of the days of the week deeply and reliably.

 

Practice Exercises for Days of the Week

A. Write the missing day in each sequence.

1. Monday, __________, Wednesday
2. Wednesday, Thursday, __________
3. __________, Saturday, Sunday
4. Tuesday, __________, Thursday
5. Friday, Saturday, __________
6. __________, Monday, Tuesday
7. Thursday, __________, Saturday
8. Sunday, __________, Tuesday
9. Monday, Tuesday, __________, Thursday
10. Saturday, __________, Monday

B. Each sentence below contains one or more errors related to the capitalisation of days of the week. Rewrite each sentence correctly.

1. 'The meeting is on tuesday morning.'
2. 'She works monday to friday every week.'
3. 'I saw him last wednesday at the library.'
4. 'We are going to visit grandma next sunday.'
5. 'The school is closed on saturday and sunday.'
6. 'This thursday is a public holiday.'
7. 'The results will be announced on friday.'
8. 'monday is the hardest day of the week for most people.'

C. Write the correct three-letter abbreviation for each day.

1. Monday
2. Tuesday
3. Wednesday
4. Thursday
5. Friday
6. Saturday
7. Sunday

D. Answer each question using the correct day of the week.

1. Today is Monday. What day was yesterday?
2. Today is Friday. What day is tomorrow?
3. Today is Wednesday. What day was yesterday?
4. Today is Sunday. What day is tomorrow?
5. Today is Thursday. What day was yesterday?
6. Yesterday was Saturday. What day is today?
7. Tomorrow is Tuesday. What day is today?
8. Yesterday was Monday. What day is tomorrow?
9. Today is Saturday. What day was yesterday?
10. Tomorrow is Sunday. What day was yesterday?

E. Write W for Weekday or WE for Weekend for each day.

1. Monday
2. Saturday
3. Wednesday
4. Sunday
5. Friday
6. Tuesday
7. Thursday
8. Saturday
9. Sunday
10. Friday

F. Choose the correct option in each sentence.

1. The meeting is (on / in / at) Monday.
2. She has class (on / in / at) Tuesdays and Thursdays.
3. He works (on / the / a) Monday to Friday.
4. We are leaving (next / the next / a next) Sunday.
5. I saw her (last / the last / a last) Wednesday.
6. The library is closed (on / in / at) Sundays.
7. She visits every (Monday / Mondays / the Monday).
8. The event is scheduled for (the Thursday / Thursday / a Thursday) afternoon.

G. Read each clue and write the correct day.

1. It comes after Thursday and before Saturday.
2. It is the first day of the week.
3. It is the last day of the week.
4. It comes after Saturday.
5. It is right in the middle of the week: the third weekday.
6. It comes before Tuesday.
7. It is the second day of the weekend.
8. It is the only day named after a Roman planet god (not Norse).
9. It is named after the Norse god of thunder.
10. It is named after the Moon.