Quick Answer: 1990s or 1990’s?
1990s Correct
1990’s Incorrect
The Golden Rule: When referring to the decade as a time period, simply add an s. Do not use an apostrophe.
Example: “Music was great in the 1990s.”
Table of Contents
Deciding whether to write 1990s or 1990’s is one of the most common punctuation struggles in English writing. For decades, the rules were somewhat flexible, leading to widespread confusion. However, in modern standard English, the rule has become very strict: you do not need an apostrophe to make a number plural. Whether you are writing a history paper, a blog post, or a business report, knowing when to omit that little mark will make your writing look cleaner and more professional.
The Core Rule: Plural Numbers
When you are talking about the span of years from 1990 to 1999, you are treating the number as a plural noun. In English, we typically make words plural by adding an “s”. We do not usually use apostrophes for plurals, and numbers follow this same logic.
The confusion often stems from an old convention where apostrophes were used to separate the “s” from numbers to make them easier to read. Today, major style guides agree that this is unnecessary and visual clutter.
Right: “The technology boom of the 1990s.” (The years of the 1990s)
Wrong: “The technology boom of the 1990’s.”
When “1990’s” is Actually Correct
Is strictly forbidden to write 1990’s? Not entirely. You can use the apostrophe if—and only if—you are indicating possession or ownership. If the decade itself “owns” something, the apostrophe is required.
However, this usage is rare because it often sounds awkward. Most writers prefer to rephrase the sentence to avoid the clunky look of a possessive number.
- Scenario A: Plural (Time Period)
- You are talking about the years.
Usage: “Many startups failed in the 1990s.” Correct - Scenario B: Possessive (Ownership)
- You are talking about something belonging to that era.
Usage: “The 1990’s fashion trends were bold.” Technically Correct
Even though Scenario B is grammatically correct, many editors would suggest writing “Fashion trends of the 1990s” to avoid the punctuation entirely.
What The Authorities Say
If you are writing for academic or professional purposes, it is safe to follow the guidance of the major style manuals. They unanimously reject the plural apostrophe.
- APA Style (7th Edition): Do not use an apostrophe for decades. Write 1990s. Source-1✅
- Chicago Manual of Style: Numerals used as nouns form the plural by adding s alone. Write 1990s. Source-2✅
- Associated Press (AP) Style: No apostrophe for decades. Use figures and add s: 1990s.
- MLA Style: Do not use an apostrophe to form the plural of a decade. Source-3✅
The Abbreviated Form: ’90s vs 90’s
When you shorten the decade (removing the “19”), the rules change slightly regarding where the apostrophe goes, but the plural rule remains the same.
You use an apostrophe at the beginning to replace the missing “19”. You still do not put an apostrophe before the “s”.
| Format | Written As | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Full Decade | 1990s | Correct |
| Abbreviated | ’90s | Correct |
| Incorrect Abbreviation | 90’s | Wrong |
| Incorrect Placement | ’90’s | Wrong |
Note: The apostrophe before the 90 (’90s) should curl to the left (opening single quote), indicating omitted text.
Clear Examples: Right vs. Wrong
Seeing the terms in context helps clarify why the clean version usually reads better.
Sentence Practice
✅ DO THIS
- “I was born in the 1990s.”
- “The 1990s were a time of rapid change.”
- “He loves ’90s hip-hop music.”
- “My collection of 1990s memorabilia is huge.”
❌ AVOID THIS
- “I was born in the 1990’s.”
- “The 1990’s were a time of rapid change.”
- “He loves 90’s hip-hop music.”
- “My collection of 1990s’ memorabilia.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1990’s ever correct?
Why do so many people write 1990’s with an apostrophe?
It is a habit often taught in older grammar lessons or used to prevent confusion when handwriting. Before digital text was standard, an apostrophe helped clarify that the “s” was not part of the number. Today, with clear digital fonts, style guides consider the apostrophe unnecessary (“grocer’s apostrophe”) for plurals.
How do I write the short version of the 1990s?
The correct short form is ’90s. The apostrophe goes before the number to represent the removed “19”. Do not put an apostrophe before the “s” (e.g., avoid 90’s).
Does the same rule apply to other numbers like temperatures or ages?
Yes. If you are referring to plural numbers, omit the apostrophe. Write “temps in the 80s” (not 80’s) and “she is in her 20s” (not 20’s).
How does the New York Times handle decade plurals?
The New York Times, like the Associated Press, does not use an apostrophe for decades. They write “the 1990s” or “the ’90s”.
{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Is 1990’s ever correct?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Yes, but only in the possessive case. If you are describing something that belongs to the decade, you can write \”the 1990’s influence.\” However, it is much more common to treat the decade as an adjective (e.g., \”the 1990s influence\”) or rewrite it as \”the influence of the 1990s.\””
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Why do so many people write 1990’s with an apostrophe?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “It is a habit often taught in older grammar lessons or used to prevent confusion when handwriting. Before digital text was standard, an apostrophe helped clarify that the \”s\” was not part of the number. Today, with clear digital fonts, style guides consider the apostrophe unnecessary (\”grocer’s apostrophe\”) for plurals.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How do I write the short version of the 1990s?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The correct short form is ’90s. The apostrophe goes before the number to represent the removed \”19\”. Do not put an apostrophe before the \”s\” (e.g., avoid 90’s).”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Does the same rule apply to other numbers like temperatures or ages?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Yes. If you are referring to plural numbers, omit the apostrophe. Write \”temps in the 80s\” (not 80’s) and \”she is in her 20s\” (not 20’s).”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How does the New York Times handle decade plurals?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The New York Times, like the Associated Press, does not use an apostrophe for decades. They write \”the 1990s\” or \”the ’90s\”.”
}
}
]
}