Hey there! Let’s dive into the fascinating world of English language and grammar to explore whether it’s proper to say “twentys” or “twenties.” So, buckle up and let’s navigate through this linguistic adventure together!
To put it simply, the correct form is “twenties.” This term refers to the period from twenty to twenty-nine, inclusive. So when we talk about someone in their twenties, we’re referring to their age falling within that range. Pretty straightforward, right?
Now, let’s delve a little deeper into why “twenties” is the right choice. In English, numbers ending in “y” are generally treated as adjectives. Therefore, when we use “twenties” to describe a group of years, it acts as an adjective modifying the noun “years.” Think of it as if “twenties” were answering the question “What kind of years?”
Here are a few examples to illustrate this point:
1. “I love listening to jazz from the roaring twenties.” Here, “twenties” is used as an adjective to describe the type of jazz – jazz that was popular during that particular decade.
2. “I’m studying the literature of the 1920s.” Once again, “twenties” acts as an adjective, specifying the particular decade being discussed.
Now, let’s take a quick detour into the world of spelling. In English, when a noun or adjective ends with a “y” preceded by a consonant, we usually change the “y” to an “i” before adding suffixes like “s” or “es.” For instance, “penny” becomes “pennies,” and “happy” becomes “happier.” So if we were to follow this rule, “twentys” might seem like the appropriate spelling option.
However, when it comes to decades and ages expressed as a range, we don’t apply this rule. We keep the “y” intact and simply add an “s” to indicate plural form. That’s why we say “twenties,” not “twentys,” as it follows the standard pattern.
Let’s reinforce this with a couple more examples:
1. “The fashion of the forties had a unique charm.” Here, “forties” refers to the 1940s, and it’s the plural form of the adjective.
2. “In their thirties, most people settle down and start families.” Similarly, “thirties” represents the age range from thirty to thirty-nine, and acts as an adjective describing those individuals.
So, the next time you find yourself discussing a specific decade or describing someone’s age range, remember to use “twenties” (or any similar formation like “thirties,” “forties,” and so on) instead of “twentys.” It might seem like a small detail, but proper grammar and word usage can make a significant impact on how effectively we communicate.
Now that you’re equipped with this linguistic knowledge, go forth and confidently express yourself, knowing that you’ve mastered the correct usage of “twenties.” Happy conversing!