Let's say I'm trying to say I've been doing this for two and a half years. Well that's just it.
But it sounds really weird when I say, two and a third years, even though I'm saying the same thing grammatically. Do I say two and one third years? Do I start hyphenating them?
It's so weird.
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Hi, GrammerNazi,
@GrammerNazi posted:Do I say two and one third years?
You should say "two years and four months." The point is that "half" can premodify "year" to mean "semester" (a half-year, half a year), while "third" cannot be used that way to mean "four months," unless you say "one-third of a year." The need to use "of a" prevents you from using "third" the same way as "half."
You can of course use "quarter" to mean "three months" (two and a quarter years, two years and a quarter), and in economic and other scientific reports you can use decimal points:
- 2.25 years = 2 years and 3 months, 2¼ years
- 2.5 years = two and a half years, 2½ years
Weird. So there is no alternative for sure?
In any case thanks, now I know.
@GrammerNazi posted:Weird. So there is no alternative for sure?
Just in case, David, do you agree with me that "two and a third years" is not possible? "Two and one-third years" sounds a little better. Or perhaps you can think of another alternative. Thank you!
