On Saturday morning or On Saturday mornings???

[dany]

Hello!
I'm in doubt again
What's the difference between "I usually play tennis on Saturday morning" and "I usually play tennis on Saturday mornings"???
(If there is a difference...)

Thank you!

Daniela

[nikita]

Hello, Daniela

Actually, I am in doubt too. I think that "on Saturday morning" is used by far more frequently that "Saturday mornings". But I believe that I have seen the second version as well.

When I looked it up in my beloved Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, here is what I got:

on Sunday
We're going to a match on Sunday.
What are you doing Sunday? American English

Sunday morning/afternoon etc
Sunday nights are usually pretty quiet.

last Sunday
It was our wedding anniversary last Sunday.

this Sunday
There's another antiques market this Sunday.

next Sunday (=Sunday of next week)
We'll announce the winners next Sunday.

a Sunday (=one of the Sundays in the year)
Finding a dentist on a Sunday can be very difficult.

So, it looks like Longman is in favour of "Sunday morning".

But I will try to ask a native speaker when "Sunday mornings" may be used and whether or not thre is any difference between them.

Have a nice weekend!

Nikita

[nikita]

Hello,

About this "on Saturday morning" vs. "on Saturday mornings" question. Both the first and the second version can refer to the repeated activity.

For example:
I play tennis on Saturday morning.
I play tennis on Saturday mornings.
I used to play tennis on Saturday morning.
I used to play tennis on Saturday mornings.

But only the first one can be used to refer to a one-time action.

For instance:
I am playing tennis on Saturday morning.
I am going to play tennis on Saturday morning.
I played tennis on Saturday morning.

I will keep digging. Obviously, if I learn something new, I will let you know immediately.

Any further questions are welcome.

Nikita

[nikita]

Hello, there

I have finally managed to speak to Jonathan. According to him, it is better to say "on Saturday mornings" when you are talking about a regularly repeated activity.

For example:
I play ping-pong on Saturday mornings.

But if you are talking about one-time event, obviously you cannot put "morning" into the plural form.

For example:
I am playing ping-pong on Saturday morning. (about the Future)
I played ping-pong on Saturday morning. (about the Past)

Have a nice day and drop me a line if you have any more questions!

Nikita