Year, Year’s, and Years’ – When to Use Each Word

English grammar can be confusing, especially when it comes to using singular and plural forms of words. One word that often causes confusion is “year.” In this article, we will explore the correct usage of “year,” “year’s,” and “years’,” and provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you understand when to use them correctly.

Year – The Singular Form

The word “year” is a noun that refers to a 12-month period. It is used in the singular form when referring to one specific year, e.g., “Last year was a challenging year for everyone.” In this instance, “year” is treated as a singular noun.

Year’s – The Possessive Form

The possessive form of “year” is “year’s.” It is used to indicate ownership or possession by a singular entity or to show that something belongs to or is associated with a particular year, e.g., “The year’s top news stories” or “The year’s best films.” In these instances, “year’s” is used to show that something is connected to a specific year.

Years – The Plural Form

The word “years” is used in the plural form when referring to multiple years or a duration of time that includes multiple years. For example, “In the past five years, we have seen significant growth” or “The 1980s were a decade of change.” In these instances, “years” is treated as a plural noun.

Years’ – The Possessive Form

The possessive form of “years” is “years’.” It is used to indicate ownership or possession by multiple entities or to show that something belongs to or is associated with multiple years. For example, “The years’ economic growth has been impressive” or “The years’ political events have shaped our world.” In these instances, “years’” is used to show that something is connected to multiple years.

When to Use Year, Year’s, and Years’

Now that we have explored the correct usage of the singular, plural, and possessive forms of “year,” let’s take a closer look at when to use each one.

Use Year When:

• This year has been particularly challenging for small businesses.
• The year 2020 will be remembered as a year of global upheaval.

Examples:

• This year has been particularly challenging for small businesses.
• The year 2020 will be remembered as a year of global upheaval.

Use Year’s When:

• Referring to ownership or possession by a singular entity.
• Showing that something is associated with a specific year.

Examples:

• The year’s top news stories included a major election and a global pandemic.
• The company’s revenue growth outperformed the previous year’s results.

Use Years When:

• Referring to multiple years or a duration of time that includes multiple years.
• Describing a collection of years.

Examples:

• In the past ten years, the world has witnessed significant technological advancements.
• The 1990s were a decade of economic prosperity in the United States.

Use Years’ When:

• Referring to ownership or possession by multiple entities.
• Showing that something is associated with multiple years.

Examples:

• The years’ worth of data collected by the research team provided valuable insights.
• The two companies’ joint venture has been successful in recent years’ earnings reports.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct usage of “year,” “year’s,” and “years’” can be confusing, but by following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that you are using them correctly.

Remember, use year in the singular form when referring to a specific year or a 12-month period, year’s to indicate ownership or possession by a singular entity or to show that something is associated with a specific year, years in the plural form when referring to multiple years or a duration of time that includes multiple years, and years’ to indicate ownership or possession by multiple entities or to show that something is associated with multiple years.