21 years old or 21-year-old?

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Forums · General English Grammar & Vocabulary, Listening & Speaking · General English Grammar Questions
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Hi there, why do some people put "21 years old or 21-year-old?" Can you tell me why and how to use it? Thank you

I am 21 years old.

I am 21-year-old.

He is 26 years old
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AnonymousHi there, why do some people put "21 years old or 21-year-old?" Can you tell me why and how to use it? Thank you

I am 21 years old.

I am 21-year-old. This one is incorrect. It should be I am a 21-year-old.

He is 26 years old

He is 9. He is 9 years old. He is a 9-year-old.

The last one is a noun.
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Hi!

I have a question relating to this. Which of the following is correct, and why?

A) 18-and 19-year-olds
B) 18-and-19-year-olds
C) 18 and 19-year-olds

Thanks.
New Member47
Ah, the suspended hyphen.

18- and 19-year-olds

It's the same as "We offer two- and four-week sessions." or "It comes in 2-, 4-, and 6-inch lengths."

If you have two (or more) hyphenated phrases that end the same way, you can use the hyphen after the first one and "suspend" the rest of the phrase until the second one.
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Grammar GeekHe is 9. He is 9 years old. He is a 9-year-old.

The last one is a noun.

Also: Rex is a 9-year-old spaniel. (adjective)
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Thank you, Grammar Geek! Emotion: smile
Hi,

I am curious about using this word "years" as I have seen that it can be used with the noun + 's structure.

Can I say "I am 25 years' old guy"? In the same way I can say "I have 13 years' experience".
Or is the "I am a 25-year-old guy" the only way to go?

Thanks
Junior Member55
EagerSeekerCan I say "I am 25 years' old guy"? In the same way I can say "I have 13 years' experience".

No, this is not said.
EagerSeekerOr is the "I am a 25-year-old guy" the only way to go?

I am a guy and I'm 25 years old. I'm a guy who's 25 years old.

I've heard some people say things like "A woman of a certain age" but that doesn't work with "A guy of 25 years" very well. It doesn't sound completely terrible, but it's not very natural either.

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Grammar Geek
EagerSeekerCan I say "I am 25 years' old guy"? In the same way I can say "I have 13 years' experience".
No, this is not said.
EagerSeekerOr is the "I am a 25-year-old guy" the only way to go?

I am a guy and I'm 25 years old. I'm a guy who's 25 years old.

I've heard some people say things like "A woman of a certain age" but that doesn't work with "A guy of 25 years" very well. It doesn't sound completely terrible, but it's not very natural either.

OK, thanks.
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