Stop saying: “I have 25 years.”

Say instead: “I am 25 years old.” · A2 · Grammar

✗ Wrong

I have 25 years.

✓ Correct

I am 25 years old.

Why?

English uses the verb be for age, not have. Say I am 25 years old, she is 30 years old, or he is ten years old. Many languages use have for age, but English always uses be.

More examples

🎙️ REAL VOICES

The three correct examples below, in a real voice.

✗ My brother has 18 years.

✓ My brother is 18 years old.

✗ How many years do you have?

✓ How old are you?

✗ Emma has 7 years and goes to school.

✓ Emma is 7 years old and goes to school.

Age is a state, not a possession — be years old.

Check yourself

Keep going

← Previous

“My teacher suggested me to read this book.”

Go back to the previous stop in this section.

Open