"5 years experience" vs "5 years' experience"

Question

"5 years experience" vs "5 years' experience"

Both '5 years' experience' and '5 years experience' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. '5 years' experience' is used when the experience belongs to someone or something, while '5 years experience' is used when referring to the duration of experience without specifying the owner.

Last Updated: March 28, 2024

This phrase is used to refer to the duration of experience without indicating the possessor. It is a straightforward way to express the length of time someone has been doing something.

Examples:

He has 5 years experience in software development.
The job posting requires a minimum of 5 years experience in customer service.

Alternatives:

Experience for 5 years
Experience lasting 5 years
5-year experience
Experience over 5 years
Experience accumulated over 5 years

This phrase is used to indicate that the experience being referred to belongs to a person or a thing. The apostrophe and 's' show possession.

Examples:

She has 5 years' experience in marketing.
The company requires candidates with at least 5 years' experience in project management.

Alternatives:

Experience of 5 years
5 years of experience
Experience spanning 5 years
5-year experience
Experience for 5 years

Answer 1

5 years experience

This phrase is also correct and commonly used in English. It is used to indicate the duration of experience without specifying the owner.

Answer 2

5 years' experience

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It indicates that the experience belongs to someone or something.

"5 years experience" vs "5 years' experience"

5 years experience

5 years' experience

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