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Square Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
They are all 10 years old
1. They are all 10 years old.
2. They’re all ten-year-olds.
As far as I know, both sentences are correct. However, I am interested in the grammar here.
In #1, is "old" an adjective?
It seems to me that "ten-year-olds" in #2 is used as an adjective.
The structure of #1 is a bit strange. Why the adjective "old" is put after the noun "years" not before?
Thanks.
2. They’re all ten-year-olds.
As far as I know, both sentences are correct. However, I am interested in the grammar here.
In #1, is "old" an adjective?
It seems to me that "ten-year-olds" in #2 is used as an adjective.
The structure of #1 is a bit strange. Why the adjective "old" is put after the noun "years" not before?
Thanks.
Top answer
Square In #1, is "old" an adjective? Yes. This is how we express measurements of various kinds.
- Square In #1, is "old" an adjective?
- Yes.
- This is how we express measurements of various kinds.
- They are old.
- How old?
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2 Answers
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SquareIn #1, is "old" an adjective?Yes. This is how we express measurements of various kinds.
They are old. How old? Ten years old. The noun phrase "ten years" modifies the adjective "old". It seems backwards, but that's how we do it. Similarly, five inches long, a mile high, six feet tall.
SquareIt seems to me th
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