WASHINGTON – What you say and how you say it can provide clues to your age when you’re on Twitter.

Dutch researchers studied the language and style of tweets and have determined that tweets can do a surprisingly good job of revealing the tweeter’s age, at least approximately.

The researchers have told Time that older tweeters tend to use longer words and more prepositions than younger tweeters use. Also, older tweeters use well-wishing phrases like “good morning” and “take care.”

Younger tweeters give themselves away when they use all capitals on some words. Here’s another dead giveaway: “Niiiiice.” Younger tweeters tend to employ alphabet lengthening.

The researchers also say young tweeters are prone to talk more about themselves.

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