Grammar Demystified: ‘On Sunday’ vs. ‘On A Sunday’ – Explained

On Sunday usually, but not always, refers to the next Sunday. While On a Sunday refers to any Sunday, such as a regular Sunday, as in I get up late on Sundays.

It could suggest that you can do something out of the ordinary on any Sunday. For example, I’m free on Sunday, so I’ll visit you.

When describing a routine, on Sunday (s) denotes next Sunday, but it can also mean on Sundays-On Sunday.

On Sundays can refer to any Sunday or to a specific time of year- I regularly go there on Sundays (but not every Sunday). In contrast to that, On a Sunday is usually used as a temporal expression: on a Sunday in June or during his stay, referring to a specific Sunday during that period.

In this blog, we’ll be having a look at the differences between two phrases; “On a Sunday” and “On Sunday.” I’ll address the startling differences that’ll help you to know the use of both phrases. You’ll get the answers to all the FAQs over here.

Let’s get started.

On A Sunday Vs. On Sunday

In this context, you can also come across the uncommon “of a Sunday”: I typically go jogging on a Sunday. You must provide context or background information.

However, “On a Sunday” refers to any Sunday, not just one in particular, whereas on Saturday refers to a certain Saturday.

On Sunday = on a specific Sunday that you haven't mentioned. 

The phrase “on Sunday” suggests that it will happen the next Sunday.

“On Sunday, there will be a dinner at my house.” It tells us about a specific Sunday.

The phrase “on a Sunday” suggests that it is a random Sunday. Let’s go for dinner on Sunday.

The other responses were excellent. I just want to make it clear that “on Sunday” refers to a specific Sunday in the past, not the future.

“I wanted to leave on Sunday,” for example. The presence of a past-tense verb is a hint.

When you make a Sunday reservation, you’re reserving a specific Sunday. “On a Sunday” can refer to any Sunday or all Sundays-for example,

Swimming practice will be held on a Sunday or a Sunday that is convenient for you.

Is Next Sunday The Same As This Sunday?

The meanings of “this” and “next” in English are plain and unambiguous for the most part. For now, though, there is a lot of uncertainty.

Some folks will even refer to last Sunday as this Sunday! This is probably because they conceive of it as this week’s Sunday; the context and verb tense typically make it clear what is meant. For example, I went to the races on Sunday.

Make sure a date is mentioned if you need to be completely precise.

Are These Correct: On Sunday and On A Sunday?

Both of these phrases are correct but different in terms of usage. Unless there’s something else, like a tense aspect, to suggest “any Sunday,” I’d take “on Sunday” to denote this coming Sunday.

• “On Sundays, the station is closed.” 
• “On Sundays, many go to church.”
• “On Sunday, we’re going to church”-this Sunday.

All in all, “On Sunday” is a more general term that can be used to refer to any Sunday. The phrase “this Sunday” means the upcoming Sunday, referring to the future.

“On Sunday” Or “At Sunday”- Which One Is Correct?

While going to the movies on Sunday is correct, we may also write “I go to the movies on Sunday” or “I go to the movies on Sunday” to communicate the same concept.

For example, “I go to the movies on Sunday” or “I go to the movies on Sunday.” The phrase On Sunday is the correct usage in the English Language.

Please see the links below for more information. Instead of a Sunday, on Sunday is used.

Here are a few examples:

• I don’t like to work On Sundays.
• I prefer outings on Sundays.
• We only provide French sessions on Sundays.
• Would you like to join me for supper on Sunday?

For example, I have an appointment on Sunday, which is different from “on a Sunday,” which is usually used for telling stories, such as “on a Sunday, Mark decided to kill the dragon…” and “on Sundays,” which means every Sunday, such as “on Sundays, we go on a vacation.”

Have you observed the contrast between them or not?

Illustration With Examples

A common sentence is: “On Sundays, I attend church.”

Another example is “I went to my aunt’s place on Sunday”.

On a Sunday: same as above, but in a different context.

Even if you don’t go to church every day, it’s better to visit on Sundays.

“On Sundays, I attend church.” 

For example, “The school is closed on Sundays.” On a Sunday, a specific Sunday.

What About on Sunday Vs. On Sunday?

Nouns, phrases, or verbing are used after “How about.” 

On Sunday seems to be the accurate one. While on a Sunday is also not incorrect.

But is it really the accurate one? Googling “How about on Sunday?” was unanimously agreed to be the right rather than “How about Sunday?” Most people thought it was a strange thing to say.

Does this have a grammatical explanation?

It’s incorrect to presume that nouns (or noun phrases), clauses, or gerunds should always come after a preposition. 

A prepositional phrase could come after it. 

Understanding Prepositions of Time: ‘In’ vs. ‘On’ Usage Examples

Consider the following scenario:

The sun emerged from behind the clouds.

Both “from” and “behind” are prepositions in the preceding sentence, and “behind the cloud” is a prepositional phrase that functions as a complement to the first preposition “from.”

“On Sunday,” in your example, is a prepositional phrase that complements the first preposition “about.” There are no grammatical errors in it.

Also, a gerund phrase (going to the movies) could be removed because it has already been mentioned.

For example:

• On Saturday, how about going to the movies?
• How about visiting the hospital on Sunday?

I hope you’re now able to differentiate between them in a better way.

The table below shows some of the propositions of time and their usage in different sentences.

Use of “in”	Use of “on”
in the morning	on Monday morning
in the mornings	on Friday mornings
in the afternoon(s)	on Sunday afternoon(s)
in the evening(s)	on Monday evening(s)

Is It Proper To Report That It Happened “On Sunday”?

Last Sunday is right, although it has an uncomfortable ring to it. It’s most common on the last Sunday of the month.

“On last Sunday,” I believe, is incorrect.

On Sunday, you’re referring to a specific Sunday in Ambon; on a Sunday, you’re referring to a single Sunday. And on Sundays, you’re referring to all Sundays.

For example, I have an appointment on Sunday, which is different from “on a Sunday,” which is commonly used for recounting stories, such as “On a Sunday”.

In addition to that, if we say “Mark chose to kill the dragon” and “on Sundays,” which indicates every Sunday, such as “on Sundays, we went on a vacation.”

It means every Sunday, we go on a vacation.

According to this article, it has been observed that On Sunday contains more searched patterns than On a Sunday.

On A Sunday Vs. On Sunday; The Tenses

On Sunday is best used in the present or past tense. I go to the mosque on Sundays.

For instance, “I went to my aunt’s place on Sunday,”  On a Sunday: Same as above, but in a different context. 

Sundays that have passed or are about to pass. For example, my University is closed on Sundays.

On Sunday, denotes the following:

Sunday (specific)
On a Sunday means on a particular Sunday (not specific).
Sundays = every Sunday. 

This coming Sunday On a Sunday, a specific Sunday Every Sunday = On Sundays

On A Sunday Evening Or On A Sunday, The Correct One

Both “on” and “in” are good time-based prepositions. They’re often interchangeable, but this is not always the case.

I’ve already explained the distinction between “on Sunday evening” and “on Sunday evening,” as well as a few other days, so you can use them correctly.

Because many people are accustomed to hearing “in the evening,” things can become a little complicated here. When we don’t know what day it is, we might use “in the evening” as the only acceptable phrase.

When we put a day like “Sunday” alongside “the evening,” however, we must change the preposition to “on.” It’s the only method to follow the prepositional rules that govern it.

The only proper form is “on Sunday evening.” When working with precise dates, days, or times, we utilize “on” as a time preposition.

Because “Sunday” is a definite day, we must only use “on” with it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I’d say that;

• “On Sunday” means the next Sunday, while “On a Sunday” can mean any Sunday.
• “On Sundays” might not mean every Sunday, but rather a recurring event.
• Both phrases, “On Sunday” and “On a Sunday,” have distinct uses.
• “Next” or “this” Sunday usage varies, specifying the discussed Sunday.
• Using “on” or “in” correctly is vital for specific days or times, like “on Sunday evening.”
• These phrases differ in grammar and usage, denoting specific or general Sundays.
• The article clarifies their differences through various examples.

Apart from clarifying their usage, I’ve also illustrated their meanings with several examples. To know more, give this blog a thorough reading Once again!

Want to find out the difference between continue and resume? Take a look at this article: What Is the Difference Between Continue and Resume? (Facts)

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