No, "23 year old" is not correct.
According to the provided reference, when describing age with a number less than one hundred, a hyphen should be used between the words "year" and "old". This rule applies when the age is used as an adjective before a noun. Thus, the correct form is "23-year-old."
Understanding the Use of Hyphens with Ages
| Incorrect Usage | Correct Usage | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| "The 23 year old boy" | "The 23-year-old boy" | Hyphen needed when age is used as an adjective |
| "The 50 year old man" | "The 50-year-old man" | Hyphen needed when age is used as an adjective |
| "She is 23 year old" | "She is 23 years old" | No hyphen needed when age is a noun complement after 'is' |
Examples
- Incorrect: The twenty three year old wine tasted much better.
- Correct: The twenty-three-year-old wine tasted much better.
- Incorrect: The child was only two year old.
- Correct: The child was only two years old.
- Correct: She is a 20-year-old student.
- Correct: The student is 20 years old.
Practical Insights
- When specifying age before a noun (e.g., "23-year-old boy"), use a hyphen.
- When stating someone's age as a noun complement (e.g., "He is 23 years old"), no hyphen is required.
- Always remember that the number must have a hyphen between the words if it is less than one hundred when used before a noun and to describe someone or something.
