When it comes to the word “year,” there are different ways to use it depending on the context. Let’s explore the different forms and how to use them correctly.
First, let’s talk about the plural form of “year,” which is “years.” This is used when referring to multiple years. For example, you could say, “I have been studying Spanish for three years.” Here, “years” indicates that you have been studying for more than one year.
On the other hand, if you want to indicate possession or ownership of a single year, you would use the singular possessive form, which is “year’s.” For instance, you could say, “I am excited to celebrate New Year’s Eve.” Here, “year’s” indicates that the celebration belongs to the specific year.
Now, what if you want to show possession or ownership of multiple years? In that case, you would use the plural possessive form, which is “years’.” For example, you could say, “The company’s profits have increased over the years’.” Here, “years'” indicates that the profits have increased over a span of multiple years.
To summarize, “years” is the plural form of year, indicating multiple years. We use “year’s” to indicate the singular possessive form of the word “year,” and “years'” for the plural possessive form.
In my personal experience, I have come across situations where people have mistakenly used “year’s” instead of “years” when referring to multiple years. This confusion can easily happen since “year’s” is commonly used in the singular possessive form, but it’s important to remember the distinction between the two forms.
Remember that using the correct form depends on the specific context and what you are trying to convey. I hope this explanation has provided clarity on when to use “years,” “year’s,” and “years’.”