1960s or 1960’s: Should You Use an Apostrophe with Decades?

The English language, with its rich history and evolving conventions, often presents subtle challenges, particularly when it comes to punctuation. One such common point of confusion arises when referring to decades. Should the plural form of a decade include an apostrophe, or is it a straightforward addition of an ‘s’?

This seemingly minor grammatical query can lead to hesitation, especially in formal writing or when aiming for clarity and professionalism. Understanding the established rules for possessives versus plurals is key to navigating this particular linguistic landscape with confidence.

The Case for the Apostrophe: Possessives

Apostrophes in English serve two primary functions: to indicate possession and to denote the omission of letters in contractions.

When we encounter a decade, such as the 1960s, the question of an apostrophe often stems from a misunderstanding of its role in indicating possession. For instance, “the 1960s’ music” would imply that the music belongs to the 1960s, which is a correct use of the apostrophe for possessive, though less common when referring to the decade itself as a possessor.

The possessive form of a plural noun is generally formed by adding an apostrophe after the ‘s’. Therefore, if one were to speak of something belonging to the 1960s as a group, the plural possessive would be “the 1960s’.” However, this is rarely the intended meaning when simply referring to the decade as a period.

The Case Against the Apostrophe: Plurals

When referring to a decade as a period of time, we are simply forming a plural. We are talking about multiple years within that ten-year span.

Forming the plural of a noun in English typically involves adding an ‘s’ or ‘es’. For example, “car” becomes “cars,” and “box” becomes “boxes.”

Decades are treated like any other noun in this regard. The plural of “1960” is simply “1960s.”

The common misconception is that an apostrophe is needed to show that letters have been omitted, similar to how “do not” becomes “don’t.” However, in the case of decades, no letters are omitted from the original number.

Grammatical Authority and Style Guides

Major style guides offer clear guidance on this matter.

The Associated Press Stylebook, widely used in journalism, states that apostrophes are not used when forming the plural of decades. It advocates for “the 1960s” rather than “the 1960’s.”

Similarly, The Chicago Manual of Style, a prominent guide for book publishing and academic writing, also recommends omitting the apostrophe when referring to decades in the plural. It emphasizes clarity and adherence to standard pluralization rules.

These authoritative sources consistently lean towards the simpler, unpunctuated form for plural decades.

The Logic of Pluralization

Consider other numerical plurals. We refer to “the 1990s” and “the 2000s.”

There is no grammatical reason to insert an apostrophe when forming the plural of a number representing a decade.

The apostrophe would incorrectly imply possession or a contraction, neither of which applies when simply denoting the ten-year period itself.

Historical Usage and Evolution

While modern style guides are clear, historical usage might show variations. Older texts may occasionally feature apostrophes in decade references.

However, language conventions evolve, and current best practice favors the unpunctuated plural.

Adhering to contemporary standards ensures your writing is perceived as clear, modern, and grammatically sound.

Common Errors and Misconceptions

The most frequent error is the mistaken belief that an apostrophe is required to denote a plural when referring to a decade.

This often stems from a conflation with possessive forms or contractions, leading to the incorrect “1960’s.”

Correcting this common error is straightforward once the distinction between plural and possessive is understood.

Examples in Context

“The fashion of the 1970s was bold and colorful.” This sentence correctly uses “1970s” as a plural to denote the decade.

Contrast this with an incorrect usage: “The fashion of the 1970’s was bold and colorful.” The apostrophe here is unnecessary and grammatically unsound.

Another example: “She grew up in the 1980s, listening to synth-pop.” Again, “1980s” functions as a simple plural.

When an Apostrophe Might Be Used (Rarely)

An apostrophe *could* be used if you were referring to something belonging to the 1960s. For example, “The 1960s’ cultural impact was profound.”

In this specific construction, the apostrophe indicates that the “cultural impact” belongs to or is a characteristic of the 1960s.

However, this possessive usage is far less common than simply referring to the decade as a time period.

The Simplicity of “1960s”

The form “1960s” is the standard and preferred way to write the plural of the decade.

It aligns with the general rules of English pluralization and avoids the confusion associated with apostrophes.

Embracing this simple convention enhances the clarity and correctness of your writing.

Decades as Nouns

When we write about decades, we are treating them as nouns representing a span of time.

Like other plural nouns, they take an ‘s’ without an intervening apostrophe.

This perspective reinforces the correct grammatical treatment.

Avoiding Ambiguity

Using “1960s” avoids any potential ambiguity that an apostrophe might introduce.

An apostrophe can mistakenly suggest a contraction or possession, leading readers to pause and question the intended meaning.

The unpunctuated plural is universally understood to refer to the ten-year period.

The Role of Style Guides in Standardization

Style guides play a crucial role in standardizing language use across different publications and fields.

Their recommendations on matters like decade pluralization help ensure consistency and prevent grammatical errors.

Following these established guidelines is a mark of careful and professional writing.

Practical Application in Writing

When writing emails, reports, or creative pieces, consistently use “1960s” (or any other decade) without an apostrophe.

This small but significant detail contributes to the overall polish and credibility of your text.

Make it a habit to review your writing for this common punctuation error.

Conclusion on Apostrophes and Decades

The definitive answer is to use “1960s” when referring to the decade as a plural.

The apostrophe is not required and, in most cases, is grammatically incorrect for this purpose.

Opt for the unpunctuated plural for clarity, correctness, and adherence to modern English conventions.