0
Taka Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

New years

I've came across "Happy new years", with the plural "years", on the Net.

Is it a typo? Or does the phrase with the plural "years" have a different meaning from the one the ordinary "Happy new year" has?
  

Top answer

Since there is only one new year, the plural seems wrong. I think either New Year's Eve or New Year's Day is meant, but the last word omitted for the sake of brevity: What are you doing on New Year's? That may of course be a little inexact, but English often is.

— Cool Breeze

  • Since there is only one new year, the plural seems wrong.
  • I think either New Year's Eve or New Year's Day is meant, but the last word omitted for the sake of brevity: What are you doing on New Year's?
  • That may of course be a little inexact, but English often is.
  • CB
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
Since there is only one new year, the plural seems wrong. I think either New Year's Eve or New Year's Day is meant, but the last word omitted for the sake of brevity: What are you doing on New Year's? That may of course be a little inexact, but English often is.
0
0
TakaIs it a typo?
It's a feature of American English. Outside that, the s is not included.
0
0
AnonymousIt's a feature of American English.
My American friends tell me that New Year's may be used for New Year's Eve/Day, but that they say only Happy New Year.
0

Related Questions