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Is the sentence "children under 8 years old" means 0-8 or 0-7? as I understand, less than 8 does not include 8. How about "under"? I just think about "under" as similar as "less" so I just think it does not include 8. But an activity marked as "children under 8 years old cannot participate in this..." does not sell a ticket for 8. So I wonder about it.

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    If I said Pick any single-digit number under 8, would you seriously consider choosing 8? Go check a dictionary.
    – FumbleFingers
    Jun 14, 2018 at 15:33
  • Related question ell.stackexchange.com/q/136949/9161
    – ColleenV
    Jun 14, 2018 at 16:01
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    @FumbleFingers - Given that (a) the OP has already explained in an earlier question that their native language uses different words for 'greater than or equal to' and 'greater than'; (b) the OP has already postulated a hunch that the expression "under 8" would not include 8-year-olds, and (c) a dictionary may list upwards of almost 20 definitions for the preposition under, I think this question seems legit, while your comment seems a bit condescending and insensitive toward our target audience.
    – J.R. ♦
    Jun 14, 2018 at 17:54
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    The usual phrase used in North America is "children aged eight and under." The "and" makes it explicit that eight-year-olds are included.
    – Canadian Yankee
    Jun 15, 2018 at 1:40
  • Thanks for all comments and answers. Anyway, I am still a learner, maybe till end of my life, and I just want to make sure my understating. I am happy with every single sentences in the answers and comments.
    – sio4
    Jun 28, 2018 at 9:15

3 Answers 3

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Under means less than so, technically, an 8-year-old should not be participating in an "Under 8" activity.

If you were running such an activity, and wanted 8-year-olds to be included, you could either say, "Under 9", or "Through age 8". ("Up to age 8" is another valid way to say it.)

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  • In addition to J.R.'s response; the school sports teams I am familiar with would set a certain date on which all team members had to be below a certain age - although they were permitted to continue playing for the team even if they reached that age before the end of the season.
    – Ronald Sole
    Jun 14, 2018 at 14:55
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It technically would exclude eight-year-olds, but it's often used to include eight-year-olds. To avoid ambiguity, you should use a different term, such as "eight and under".

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8

7("Under 8" stars here by including "7" and all the numbers below)

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5

..

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