Their birthdays vs Their birthday

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Their birthdays' is used when referring to multiple people celebrating their individual birthdays, while 'their birthday' is used when referring to a group of people celebrating a shared birthday.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 3927 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to multiple people celebrating their individual birthdays.

"Their birthdays"

Use 'their birthdays' when talking about multiple people each celebrating their own birthday. It indicates that each person has a separate birthday.

Examples:

I need to remember all of their birthdays this month.
Their birthdays are all in December.

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And that my children would feel special on their birthdays.
I really try to go out of my way for people to make them feel special on their birthdays.
Swatch and Vogue Italia celebrate their birthdays under the banner of new creativity.
I already know what I'm getting chuck and devon for their birthdays, so I figured I'd do some shopping early.
Because if it's bulimia we'd rather you didn't eat other people's birthday cake on their birthdays.
The two previous girls, like Madeline, died on or right after their birthdays.
I'm sure the way Bradford Meade and Fey Sommers always celebrated their birthdays - together.
I got so many kids from different women, I just get all of their birthdays out of the way one day a year.
They don't receive birthday's cake or gifts of material value. These people enjoy the simple fact that someone takes account of their birthdays, of their existence and welfare.
Rather than requiring immediate email address of your visitors, why not try starting with their request their birthdays?
See, I don't see the need to go to every school event, or make my kids' lunches, or remember their birthdays.
Can you list their birthdays or do you celebrate their auction dates?
They all have their birthdays in September and they will turn 12, 10, 8 and 5. The two eldest
Please don't forget their birthdays again.
Someone get their birthdays out of the file.
Adults don't care about their birthdays.
For little money they can eat, celebrate their birthdays and play.
Moms like that - surprises on their birthdays.
I send presents for all their birthdays.
It's one of their birthdays, so...

Alternatives:

the birthdays of all of them
the birthdays of the group
the individual birthdays of each of them
the separate birthdays of each of them
each person's birthday

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a group of people celebrating a shared birthday.

"Their birthday"

Use 'their birthday' when talking about a group of people who share the same birthday. It indicates that they are celebrating together on the same day.

Examples:

They are all going out to celebrate their birthday together.
Their birthday party is next Saturday.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm making my twins a picture book for their birthday.
Nobody should spend their birthday alone.
Two people are celebrating their birthday.
Two people are celebrating their birthday, but a girl's laying bent over.
So when a person is born, that's their birthday.
Suppose you want to honour someone on their birthday.
Lily has always been one of those people who loves their birthday.
I wanted to send them something for their birthday.
Free disposable cameras to customers on their birthday?
People who celebrate their birthday in public hardly dare sing that song in certain places in the United States out of fear of reprisals and fines.
Most people I know just had a clown at their birthday party.
Even if they say they don't want you to make a big fuss about Valentine's Day or their birthday, deep down, they really wish you would.
You get over there and help your children celebrate their birthday.
When it was their birthday, all we said was...
I mean, I have, if it's their birthday or we're out of milk, but not usually.
You know what happens to little boys at a bowling alley who don't behave, even on their birthday?
The important thing is I'm putting together a list of songs in the public domain, and I'm asking each person to pick a song they'd like to have sung to them on their birthday.
Everybody likes a surprise on their birthday, but to debate a declaration without even a draft is bizarre!
I don't know very well, but don't people usually say that it feels like their birthday or having won the lottery?
And while I'm there, I talk to them about deeply personal things, and when it's their birthday, I sing "Happy Birthday" even though I cannot sing at all.

Alternatives:

the birthday they share
the shared birthday of the group
the group's birthday
the collective birthday of the group
the birthday they all celebrate

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