[General] Silver was arrested and subsequently sentenced to five years' imprisonment.

[Silverobama]

Hi teachers.

I wonder if my sentences are natural.

1)Silver was arrested and subsequently sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
2) She should wear a thinner shirt in summer.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Hi teachers.

I wonder if my sentences are natural.

1)Silver was arrested and subsequently sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
2) She should wear a thinner shirt in summer.

I don't think you need an apostrophe with "years."

The second is fine. If you specifically mean a woman's shirt, you can also say "blouse" or "top." (You can look up exact definitions.)

 

[Silverobama]

I don't think you need an apostrophe with "years."

I think the first one is not good. How about my new attempt, CB.

Silver was arrested and subsequently sentenced to a five-year imprisonment.

Or as you have said, this one is better.

Silver was arrested and subsequently sentenced to five years imprisonment.

 

[emsr2d2]

The apostrophe is required in "five years' imprisonment". It's not needed in "five years in prison".

 

[Silverobama]

So, in AmE, the apostrophe is not needed while in BrE, it's needed. Am I right?

Silver was arrested and subsequently sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Silver was arrested and subsequently sentenced to five years' imprisonment.

They are both good. Am I right?

 

[jutfrank]

Strictly speaking, the apostrophe is required in all varieties of English. This has nothing to do with British or American English, but to grammar. You can understand the apostrophe as replacing the word of.

 

[GoesStation]

Silver was arrested and subsequently sentenced to five years imprisonment.

You can tell the whole story with no additional syllables like this:

Silver was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to five years imprisonment.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

The apostrophe is required in "five years' imprisonment". It's not needed in "five years in prison".

You're right. Thanks!

I'll go back and see if I can delete. . . .

Nope.