Year's Experience vs Years' Experience
Is it “year’s experience” or “years’ experience”?
This is a simple grammar point that a LOT of people ask about, including native speakers!
These words are easy to mix up, especially if you are typing fast or using text to speech. If you are writing for work or business, it’s a good idea to get them right.
1. Singular noun + apostrophe s = ownership
• My car‘s breaks failed. (one car)
• Her kid‘s eyes are so blue. (one child)
• I have one year‘s experience. (one year)
2. Plural noun + s apostrophe = ownership
• Both cars’ breaks failed. (two cars)
• Her kids’ eyes are so blue. (two or more kids)
• I have two years’ experience. (two years)
The easy way to say “two years’ experience”.
• I have one year of experience.
• I have two years of experience.
Remember
Usually, noun + s = plural (sometimes the spelling changes)
• one cat / two cats
• one box / three boxes
• one lady / four ladies
Some nouns change in special ways.
• man / men
• child / children
• woman / women
• kimono / kimono
For these special nouns, we use apostrophe s to show ownership.
• The men’s room is near the elevator.
• The children’s classroom is very messy.
• The women’s train car is a different color.
• The kimono’s sleeves were all damaged.
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