in their 20s

USAGE SUMMARY

'in their 20s' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe people who are between the ages of 20 and 29. For example: Many people in their 20s are still deciding what career path they want to pursue.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were in their 20s".

The New York Times

Five were in their 20s.

The Economist

Others were in their 20s and 30s.

The New York Times - Sports

Fourteen of them were in their 20s.

The New York Times

Most patients are in their 20s.

The Economist

Mostly they were in their 20s.

Independent

They're in their 20s and early 30s.

The New York Times

Some are now in their 20s.

The New York Times

They're in their 20s.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Women in their 20s outearn men in their 20s.

The New York Times

People's eyes stop growing in their 20s.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about age groups, ensure that using "in their 20s" is appropriate for the context and doesn't over generalize individuals within that age range. Consider if more specific details are necessary.

Common error

Avoid writing "in there 20's", which incorrectly adds an apostrophe. The correct form is "in their 20s", indicating that the 20s belong to the people being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their 20s" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to specify the age range of a group of people. It specifies a demographic segment, as shown in many of Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

11%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in their 20s" is a very common and grammatically correct way to refer to people aged between 20 and 29. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. This phrase serves to categorize individuals, often to discuss trends, experiences, or characteristics common within that age group. As shown by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academic and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that it's appropriate for the context and that more specific details aren't needed. Remember to use the correct possessive form: "in their 20s", not "in there 20's".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twenty-somethings

A shorter and more casual expression to define that group of age.

aged between twenty and twenty-nine

Specifies the age range more explicitly, replacing the possessive construction.

in their early twenties

Focuses on the initial years of the decade, narrowing the age range.

during their twenties

Emphasizes the period of life rather than the specific ages.

in the third decade of life

Uses a more formal and scientific way to refer to the age range.

those in their third decade

Uses a slightly more elevated term compared to decade of life.

young adults

Describes individuals in that age bracket based on the life stage.

individuals between 20 and 29

Changes word order and vocabulary to communicate the same idea.

between twenty and thirty years old

Gives a more expanded age range with explicit numbers.

in the twenty to twenty-nine age bracket

Refers to the group by using a general bracket of age.

FAQs

How do I use "in their 20s" in a sentence?

Use "in their 20s" to describe a group of people whose ages are between 20 and 29. For example: "Many people "in their 20s" are focused on starting their careers".

What's another way to say "in their 20s"?

Alternatives include "twenty-somethings", "aged between twenty and twenty-nine", or "in their early twenties".

Is it more appropriate to say "in their twenties" or "in their 20s"?

Both "in their twenties" and "in their 20s" are correct and commonly used. "In their 20s" is more concise, while "in their twenties" spells out the number.

What are some common experiences for people "in their 20s"?

People "in their 20s" often focus on education, career development, forming relationships, and gaining independence. These experiences can vary widely based on individual circumstances.