Age in English: asking and answering

The idea

Use am, is or are with an age: I am twenty years old. The words years old may be omitted. Ask How old are you?

Examples

• I am twenty years old.
• How old is your sister?
• She is eight years old.
• My brother is fifteen.
• They are both ten years old.
• How old are you now?

Watch out

English uses be for age, not have: say I am ten, not I have ten years.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct option. I ___ twelve years old. (am / have)

   Show answer or example answer

   am

   am matches the subject I.

2. Choose the correct option. How old ___ your cousin? (is / has)

   Show answer or example answer

   is

   is goes before the singular subject in this question.

3. Choose the correct option. We are nine years ___. (old / age)

   Show answer or example answer

   old

   old completes the expression after the number of years.

Use it today

Ask about two people’s ages and write an answer for each.