1600's

[ziawj2]

Why there is an apostrophe followed "1600" in the following sentence:
"Not until the late 1600's did using a fork become a common custom."
Is it actually 1600's century?

 

[SoothingDave]

When discussing centuries, or decades, some styles of writing English use an apostrophe. "The 70's were a decade of decadence."

https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/ask-teacher/58086-use-apostrophes-writing-decades.html

It is a matter of style, not of a hard language rule.

 

[Rover_KE]

In BE the apostophe is not normally used.

'The 70s was a decade of decadence.'

'Not until the late 1600s did using a fork become a common custom.'

After all, the 70s means the seventies, not the seventy's.

Rover

 

[bhaisahab]

In BE the apostophe is not normally used.

'The 70s was a decade of decadence.'

'Not until the late 1600s did using a fork become a common custom.'

After all, the 70s means the seventies, not the seventy's.

Rover

I agree. What purpose does the apostrophe serve?

 

[riquecohen]

Why there is an apostrophe followed "1600" in the following sentence:
"Not until the late 1600's did using a fork become a common custom."
Is it actually 1600's century?

The 1600s refers to the 17th century.

 

[Barb_D]

I never use the apostrophe in decades or centuries either, but it really is a matter of style, as Dave said originally.

As with most style issues, consistency is more important than what you actually do. Don't refer to the 1920's in one paragraph and the 1960s in the next.