How to read years

Question

Hi. Please tell me how we can pronounce years 999 and 1000. I think if the year were 876, we would read it, "eight hundred seven-six A.D." (Or could it be "eight seven-six A.D. without the word "hundred"?) And if the year were 1101, we would read it, "eleven oh one." Thank you for your help in advance.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

AnonymousI think if the year were 876, we would read it, "eight hundred seven-six A.D." (Or could it be "eight seven-six A.D. without the word "hundred"?

Either is fine.

AnonymousAnd if the year were 1101, we would read it, "eleven oh one."

Yes, or 'eleven hundred (and) one'.

AnonymousPlease tell me how we can pronounce years 999 and 1000.

'Nine ninety-nine' or 'nine hundred (and) ninety-nine'.
'One thousand'. (I would not be terribly surprised or upset to hear a historian say 'ten hundred', however.)

Fivejedjon · Answer

Anonymous I think if the year were 876, we would read it, "eight hundred seven-six A.D." (Or could it be "eight seven-six A.D. without the word "hundred"?

I might say "Eight hundred and seventy-six" or "Eight seven six". I would not say, "eight hundred seven six".

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you both of you. By the way, when do we drop the abbreviation "A.D." after the number that denotes a certain year? If we have to put "A.D." after year 876, do we have to put "A.D." after year 999 too? Thank you again in advance for your help.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Anonymous. By the way, when do we drop the abbreviation "A.D.

Use it when confusion will otherwise result; drop it to avoid excessive repetition.

In 876 AD, the king of the East Franks Ludwig the German died at Frankfurt while preparing for war with the Holy Roman Emperor Charles II, and by 999 the world had forgotten completely about his kingship.

How to read years

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