What it is
In English, age is expressed with the verb 'be', not 'have': a person IS a number of years old.
Look
- I am 8 years old.
- She is 20.— 'years old' is optional.
- How old are you?
Form
FormPatternModel sentence
Positivesubject + am / is / are + number (+ years old)My brother is nineteen years old.
Negativesubject + am / is / are + not + numberHe isn't nineteen — he's twenty.
QuestionHow old + am / is / are + subject?How old is your brother?
Short answersubject + 'm / 's / 're + number.He's nineteen.
Use it when
- You give your own age or someone else's.
- You ask how old a person, animal or building is.
- You fill in a form or introduce a family member.
More examples
- I'm thirty-two years old.
- The twins are six.
- How old are your children?
- This house is almost a hundred years old.
Watch out!
I have 20 years.
I am 20 years old.
Use 'be', not 'have'.
Quick check
How old ___ you?
He ___ ten years old.