When Is 'Today' A Noun Or Adverb Or Adjective

Question

Kindly explain with example

Answer 1

Here are some examples:

Today as a noun:

"Today was the beginning of a new journey."

Here today is a noun functioning as the subject of the sentence. The sentence is telling the reader "WHAT" today "was" (the linking verb following the noun).

Today as an adverb:

"The mother went to the grocery store today."

Here the word today is an adverb because it answers the question of WHEN the mother went. Adverbs can often reveal information about time, so the word today is modifying the verb "went." Also unlike most adjectives, adverbs can move around in sentence order, so don't assume that words next to each other are always modifiers of the other word.

Today as an adjective:

"Today's class finished early."

Here the word today is an adjective because it answers the question of WHICH ONE. It is a possessive adjective that is describing the subject noun "class." Which class finished early? Today's.

Helpful general tips:

Nouns typically answer the questions: "Who?" or "What?"

Adverbs typically answer these questions: "When?", "Where?" "How?", "Why?", "To what extent?"

Adjectives typically answer these questions: "Which one?", What kind?, "How many?, and Whose?