Today Evening vs This Evening: Which Is Correct?

Today Evening vs This Evening: “This evening” is the standard and more natural phrase in English when you mean the evening of the current day. “Today evening” is understandable and used in some varieties of English, but it is not the usual choice in standard American or British English.

For example:

• ✅ I will call you this evening.
• ❌ I will call you today evening.

The key difference is not really about grammar alone—it is about natural English usage and regional variation. In this article, we will explain the meaning, grammar, differences, examples, common mistakes, and easy rules for choosing between today evening and this evening.

Today Evening vs This Evening: Quick Answer

Phrase	Standard English	Meaning	Example
This evening	✅ Yes	The evening of today	I am meeting Sarah this evening.
Today evening	⚠️ Less natural	The evening of today	I am meeting Sarah today evening.

The simple rule: Today Evening vs This Evening

Use “this evening” when referring to the evening of the current day.

I have a meeting this evening.

Although “today evening” may be understood, “this evening” is generally the better choice in international standard English.

What Does “This Evening” Mean?

“This evening” refers to the evening occurring on the current day.

The word “this” identifies the particular evening that is connected to the present day.

Examples

• I will finish the work this evening.
• We are going out this evening.
• She has a class this evening.
• Can you call me this evening?
• They are arriving this evening.

In all of these sentences, this evening means the evening of the day being discussed.

What Does “Today Evening” Mean?

“Today evening” is intended to mean “the evening of today.”

The meaning is usually clear from context, but the phrase is not the most natural construction in standard English.

For example:

I will visit you today evening.

A standard-English speaker would normally say:

I will visit you this evening.

“Today evening” occurs particularly in some regional varieties of English, especially South Asian English. It is therefore not necessarily meaningless or incomprehensible; it is simply less idiomatic in broader international standard English.

Explore More: https://wordminto.com/rizz-meaning/

This Evening vs Today Evening

The main difference is natural usage: Today Evening vs This Evening

This evening

This evening is the conventional expression in standard English.

We are having dinner together this evening.

Today evening

Today evening can convey the intended meaning, but it sounds unusual to many native English speakers.

We are having dinner together today evening.

A more natural version is:

We are having dinner together this evening.

Explore More: https://wordminto.com/aura-meaning/

Why Do We Say “This Evening”?

English commonly uses this with periods of time that are connected to the present:

• this morning
• this afternoon
• this evening
• tonight
• this week
• this month
• this year

For example:

• I saw him this morning.
• I will see him this evening.
• We are traveling this week.
• She is starting her new job this month.

Because this evening already identifies the current day’s evening, adding today is generally unnecessary.

Is “Today Evening” Grammatically Correct?

The answer depends on what you mean by correct.

“Today evening” is understandable, and it is used in certain regional varieties of English. However, it is not the normal idiomatic expression in mainstream British and American English.

If you are writing for an international audience, academic work, professional communication, exams, or formal English, “this evening” is the safer and more natural choice.

Compare

❌ I will send the report today evening.

✅ I will send the report this evening.

❌ We will discuss it today evening.

✅ We will discuss it this evening.

Explore More: https://wordminto.com/today-morning-vs-this-morning/

This Evening or Tonight?

“This evening” and “tonight” are closely related, but they are not always interchangeable.

.

This evening

Usually refers to the period between the afternoon and night.

I am going to the gym this evening.

Tonight

Usually refers to the night of the current day.

I am staying home tonight.

The exact boundary between evening and night can vary depending on context, location, and season.

Examples

• I have a meeting this evening.
• I am watching a movie tonight.
• We are going to dinner this evening.
• Are you staying here tonight?

Both can refer to events later on the same day, but this evening emphasizes the evening period, while tonight emphasizes the night.

This Morning, This Afternoon, This Evening

English uses similar patterns for different parts of the day.

This morning

I spoke to my teacher this morning.

This afternoon

We have a meeting this afternoon.

This evening

I will call you this evening.

These are natural and standard expressions.

You generally do not need to say:

• today morning
• today afternoon
• today evening

Instead, use:

• this morning
• this afternoon
• this evening

Explore More: https://wordminto.com/goat-meaning/

Can You Say “Today” With “Evening”?

Yes, but usually not directly before evening in the phrase “today evening.”

You can use today in other natural constructions.

Natural alternatives

The evening today

The evening today is cooler than yesterday.

This is grammatical but unusual unless there is a particular reason to emphasize today.

This evening

I will see you this evening.

Today, in the evening

I will call you today, in the evening.

The last construction is possible when you want to contrast the time of day or clarify the schedule.

For ordinary conversation, however, “this evening” is much more natural.

Examples of “This Evening”

Here are some natural examples:

1. I will call you this evening.
2. Are you free this evening?
3. We are going shopping this evening.
4. She has an appointment this evening.
5. I need to finish this project this evening.
6. They will arrive this evening.
7. We are having dinner at 8 this evening.
8. Can we meet this evening?
9. He is working late this evening.
10. The event begins this evening.
11. I will send you the details this evening.
12. We can discuss the issue this evening.
13. She is flying home this evening.
14. I have nothing planned this evening.
15. Let’s meet this evening.

Explore More: https://wordminto.com/wyd-meaning/

Examples of “Today Evening” and Better Alternatives

The following sentences may be understood, but this evening is generally more natural.

Less Natural	More Natural
I will call you today evening.	I will call you this evening.
We have a meeting today evening.	We have a meeting this evening.
She is coming today evening.	She is coming this evening.
I will finish it today evening.	I will finish it this evening.
Are you free today evening?	Are you free this evening?
The class starts today evening.	The class starts this evening.

“Today Evening” in Indian and South Asian English

You may hear or see “today evening” frequently in South Asian English.

For example:

I will meet you today evening.

This usage is widely understandable in the region. However, if your goal is to use international standard English, especially in writing intended for audiences in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or other international contexts, “this evening” is generally preferable.

This is an example of regional variation, rather than a communication failure.

Is “This Evening” Formal or Informal?

“This evening” works in both formal and informal English.

Informal

Are you free this evening?

Professional

I would like to discuss the matter with you this evening.

Formal

The ceremony will take place this evening.

So, this evening is versatile and appropriate in almost any context.

This Evening in Questions

When asking someone about their availability, this evening is especially natural.

Correct and natural examples

• Are you free this evening?
• Will you be home this evening?
• Can we meet this evening?
• What are you doing this evening?
• Are you working this evening?
• Where are you going this evening?

Less natural

• Are you free today evening?
• Can we meet today evening?

Better:

• Are you free this evening?
• Can we meet this evening?

This Evening in Professional English

In workplace communication, this evening is the preferred expression.

Examples

I will send the revised document this evening.

The team will meet this evening to discuss the project.

Please submit your comments this evening.

We expect the results to be available this evening.

These sentences sound natural and professional.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using “Today Evening” Automatically

❌ I will see you today evening.

✅ I will see you this evening.

Use this evening for the current day’s evening.

Mistake 2: Saying “Today Morning”

❌ I spoke to him today morning.

✅ I spoke to him this morning.

Mistake 3: Saying “Today Afternoon”

❌ We have a meeting today afternoon.

✅ We have a meeting this afternoon.

Mistake 4: Confusing “This Evening” and “Tonight”

These expressions can overlap, but they emphasize slightly different periods.

I am going out this evening.

I am staying home tonight.

Both can be correct depending on the intended time.

Easy Memory Trick

Remember this simple pattern:

Morning → This morning
Afternoon → This afternoon
Evening → This evening

So:

Today + evening ❌
This + evening ✅

Think of this as pointing to the current part of the day.

Today Evening vs This Evening in a Sentence

Which sentence sounds more natural?

A. I will call you today evening.
B. I will call you this evening.

The answer is:

B. I will call you this evening.

Another example

A. We are going to the restaurant today evening.
B. We are going to the restaurant this evening.

The more natural standard-English sentence is:

B. We are going to the restaurant this evening.

Quick Comparison

Expression	Meaning	Natural in Standard English?
This evening	The evening of today	✅ Yes
Today evening	The evening of today	⚠️ Regional / less idiomatic
Tonight	The night of today	✅ Yes
Today in the evening	During today’s evening	✅ Yes, but less concise
This morning	The morning of today	✅ Yes
This afternoon	The afternoon of today	✅ Yes

People Also Ask

Final Verdict

If you are deciding between “today evening” and “this evening,” choose “this evening” in standard English.

Remember:

This evening = the natural standard expression
Today evening = understandable, but regionally used and less idiomatic

For everyday conversation, professional writing, academic English, and international communication, “this evening” is the best default.

Correct examples:

• ✅ I will call you this evening.
• ✅ Are you free this evening?
• ✅ We have a meeting this evening.
• ✅ She will arrive this evening.

The easiest rule:
When talking about the current day’s evening, say “this evening,” not “today evening.”