[Grammar] in its 20's / in the 60's

[magic dragon]

Hello, would you answer my question?


A: The computer in its 20's (1965~1975) was still tough for average users to handle it.

B: Computers in the late 60's and the early 70's were still tough for average users to handle them.


Both sentences are of my own making.

Are A and B both right? I think both refer to the same situation.

 

[Rover_KE]

First delete all the apostrophes. You need to add 'enough' after 'tough'.

A. We talk about people being in their 20s (aged between 20 and 30). We don't usually say that about inanimate objects, and if we did, a computer in its 20s would have been manufactured between 1989 and 1999.

B. Here, the late 60s and the early 70s mean the years between 1968 and 1973 (approximately).

What do you mean by 'tough enough'? That sounds like 'average people' treat their computers roughly.

 

[Yankee]

Hello, would you answer my question?


A: The computer in its "20's" (1965~1975) was still tough for average users to handle[STRIKE] it[/STRIKE].

B: Computers in the late 60's and the early 70's were still tough for average users to handle [STRIKE]them[/STRIKE].


Both sentences are of my own making.

Are A and B both right? I think both refer to the same situation.

I would put quote marks on 20 to show use that is typical for human age reference. And no need for "it" or "them"

 

[GoesStation]

And no need for "it" or "them"

…, which are both incorrect.

 

[Tarheel]

It's hard to figure out what you're trying to say. Surely an average user would be someone who is well enough acquainted with the device to know how to use it effectively.

 

[Tdol]

First delete all the apostrophes.

I would delete the apostrophes, but I do think that they are common enough to be accepted.

 

[Rover_KE]

I reckon we have an obligation to tell students that the use of apostrophes in this context is incorrect—as incorrect as writing twenty's or (even worse) sixtie's.

They show neither possession nor omission and are simply plural nouns – equating to twenties, sixties and seventies – all without apostrophes.

 

[magic dragon]

I admit my post is full of mistakes. I was too careless.
As for 'tough' I'm going to change "tough" to "too difficult".
I meant by "the computer in its 20s" the first digital computer developed in the University of Pennsylvania.
If a phrase like this (in its 20s) can't be used about inanimate objects, how about this?;
Gym teachers in the eighties thought human muscles are toughest in their twenties.
If this sentence is OK, I'm going to use it for teaching about the two phrases in my class.

 

[magic dragon]

－－＜quote＞
And no need for "it" or "them


Yes, that's right.
My post this time has a lot of elementary entry-level mistakes.
It's difficult for us to speak to John Smith. = John Smith is difficult for us to speak to.
This formula is one of what I usually teach to my students. I must reflect on this deeply.

 

[magic dragon]

--I agree in that I should delete the apostrophes, which is elementary entry level mistakes.
And I agree with Yankee's opinion that there is no need for it nor them.

 

[SoothingDave]

We don't talk like that about inanimate objects. I may have a classic car that is 35 years old, but I would not say I have a car "in its thirties."

 

[tzfujimino]

People/Humans have strongest muscles in their twenties.

Does the sentence above work?

 

[emsr2d2]

People/Humans have strongest muscles in their twenties.

Does the sentence above work?

No. You could say "Humans have the strongest muscles in their twenties" but it would be more natural to say "People's muscles are strongest in their twenties".

 

[magic dragon]

Thank you all. I'll teach to my students "Gym teachers in the eighties thought humans have the highest athletic abilities in their early twenties".

 

[Tarheel]

Try:

Gym teachers in the eighties thought athletes reached their peak in their early twenties.

Two things. One, athletes reach their peak at 25, 26, 27 or 28. Two, we don't usually use "humans" in that context. Instead, that word is used when comparing them to other species or extraterrestrials.
;-)

 

[magic dragon]

Thank you Tarheel.
If, as you say, athletes reach their peak at 25, 26, 27 or 28, then I'd like to try ---

Gym teachers in the eighties thought athletes pass their peak in their late twenties.
Should "pass" be changed to "passed"? I'd like to avoid a backshift of tenses, for the subordinate clause her refers to a general fact.

 

[emsr2d2]

They reach their peak in their late twenties. They are past their peak in their thirties.

 

[jutfrank]

There's not a lot of difference between reach a peak and pass a peak since a peak is the point beyond which things begin to decline.

 

[Tarheel]

Thank you Tarheel.
If, as you say, athletes reach their peak at 25, 26, 27 or 28, then I'd like to try ---

Gym teachers in the eighties thought athletes pass their peak in their late twenties.
Should "pass" be changed to "passed"? I'd like to avoid a backshift of tenses, for the subordinate clause here refers to a general fact.

You said earlier that those gym teachers had a different opinion. Are you changing history? (What I stated is my opinion based on what I read somewhere. You don't have to simply accept it.)

I would keep it at "pass" as it is a general statement.

 

[magic dragon]

Thank you Tarheel.
I will teach to my students your example and another example of my own;
Language teachers in the eighties claimed that college students should master at least one foreign language in their early twenties. Is there anything awkward or strange in this sentence?