Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

http://www.phoenixbonsai.com/BigPicture/Timeline.html

Between tenth and twelfth centuries, Buddhist monks are said to have carried p'en tsai (trees taken from the natural surroundings and replanted, just as they were, in ornamental pots) throughout Far East. (109)
----->
Why is "Between tenth and twelfth centuries" written instead of "Between tenth and twelfth century"?

I think that you say "the tenth century" or "the twelfth century," not "the tenth centuries" or "the twelfth centuries." Why did the writer use plural nouns of tenth and twelfth centuries?

Thank you in advance.

[Bluegum]

Firstly, it should be "THE tenth and twelfth centuries".
"Centuries" is plural because it refers to two centuries - the tenth AND the twelfth.
It should also be "THE Far East."