Freshman year or freshmen year - Which is correct?

Question

Hey guys, I've seen both 'freshman year' and 'freshmen year' being used, which one is correct? Can both be used interchangeably, or is there a rule for it?

Accepted Answer

The correct term to use is "freshman year" when referring to the first year of high school or college. The word "freshman" serves as an adjective in this context, describing the year or experience of a single student. This usage is similar to terms like "sophomore year" or "junior year," where the adjective form is used to describe the year itself ([CollegeVine](https://www.collegevine.com/faq/6963/freshman-year-or-freshmen-year-which-is-correct)).

On the other hand, "freshmen" is the plural form and is used when referring to a group of first-year students collectively. For example, you might say, "All the freshmen attended the orientation" ([GrammarBook.com](https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/spelling/freshman-or-freshmen/)).

To remember the difference, consider the analogy with "man" and "men": "man" is singular, and "men" is plural. Similarly, "freshman" is singular, and "freshmen" is plural ([Writing Explained](https://writingexplained.org/freshman-or-freshmen-difference)).

In summary, use "freshman year" when describing the first year of study, and reserve "freshmen" for referring to the students themselves. This distinction helps maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy in writing and speech.

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Freshman year or freshmen year - Which is correct?

Hey guys, I've seen both 'freshman year' and 'freshmen year' being used, which one is correct? Can both be used interchangeably, or is there a rule for it?

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