Years experience or Years of experience? Which is correct?

Vocabulary / By

When you use the preposition “of” with “years of experience”, you do not need an apostrophe. If you do not use “of”, then you need to use an apostrophe either before the “s” for a singular year or after the “s” for a plural number of years. 

Examples

I have 10 years of experience in Marketing.

I have 10 years’ experience in Marketing.

As you can see, there are two different ways to write how much experience you have in a certain field but the most important thing to note is how to use the apostrophe when you don’t use the preposition ”of”.

(Number) Year’s experience or years’ experience?

We use an apostrophe “s” because we need to show possession between year and experience. This isn’t necessary if you use the preposition “of”.

Because this is so important for C.V.s and Résumés, here is a list of the grammatically correct number of years with experience:

  • 1 year’s experience working in Sales.
  • 2 years’ experience working in Sales.
  • 3 years’ experience working in Sales.
  • 4 years’ experience working in Sales.
  • 5 years’ experience working in Sales. 
  • 7 years’ experience working in Sales.
  • 10 years’ experience working in Sales.
  • 15 years’ experience working in Sales.
  • 20 years’ experience working in Sales.

“3 years’ experience” is correct because “years” is plural and possessive. 

Now you can write your C.V or Résumé or Cover Letter without fear of making a grammar mistake. 

It is always easier to use “of” as in “years of experience” because you don’t need to think about where to place the apostrophe.

For more information about how to use years with an apostrophe, you read my full article here.

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