3 years apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "3 years apart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the age difference or time difference between two events or individuals. Example: "My brother and I are 3 years apart, which means he is older than me by three years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Design: A longitudinal, 2-panel study in which data were collected at 2 points in time, 3 years apart.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Plasma was obtained from 44 F508del homozygote patients at two time points, 3 years apart, to track disease progression.

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

Method: Female twins ages 18 60 years (N = 950) from the University of Washington Twin Registry completed 2 surveys an average of 3 years apart.

Appetite

In our study, the time at which self-reported data on alcohol use was collected and the time at which blood samples were taken were up to 3 years apart.

Plosone

Individuals would exit surveillance after two clear tests 3 years apart.

British Journal of Cancer

The sibs were diagnosed with nonsyndromic childhood ALL 3 years apart.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

They happened 20 years apart.

The New York Times - Sports

The two emails were 10 years apart.

The Guardian

They were made 80 years apart.

The New York Times - Arts

Each one's about 10 years apart.

The New York Times - Arts

On average, he said, more than 10 years apart.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "3 years apart", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being separated by this time frame, such as events, measurements, or individuals.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what the "3 years" refers to. For example, instead of saying "The tests were done 3 years apart", specify "The tests were done 3 years apart, with the first in 2022 and the second in 2025."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "3 years apart" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the temporal distance between two events or entities. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in scientific studies and news reports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "3 years apart" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a temporal separation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples from scientific and news sources. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what is being separated by this time frame. Common errors include ambiguity, so always provide a clear reference point. Alternatives like "separated by 3 years" or "3 years difference" can be used for variety. Overall, "3 years apart" is a reliable phrase for indicating a distinct time interval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separated by 3 years

Focuses on the separation in time or age.

3 years difference

A more concise way to state the difference in time.

with a 3-year interval

Highlights the presence of an interval.

at an interval of 3 years

Emphasizes the regularity of the time gap.

spanning 3 years

Indicates a duration or range of time.

3 years between them

Highlights the relationship in time between two events or people.

a 3-year gap

Focuses on the empty space of time.

3 years in between

Indicates an intervening period of time.

spaced 3 years apart

Emphasizes the deliberate spacing or scheduling.

3 years elapsed

Highlights the passage of time.

FAQs

How do I use "3 years apart" in a sentence?

Use "3 years apart" to indicate a time difference between two events or the age difference between two people. Example: "The clinical trials were conducted "3 years apart"." or "My siblings are "3 years apart" in age."

What's a simple alternative to "3 years apart"?

A simpler alternative is to say "3 years difference". For instance, instead of "The events were 3 years apart", you could say "There was a 3 years difference between the events".

Is it correct to say "3 year apart" instead of "3 years apart"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""3 years apart"" with the plural "years".

What is the difference between "3 years apart" and "every 3 years"?

""3 years apart"" refers to a one-time interval between two specific events or points in time. "Every 3 years" indicates a recurring event at 3-year intervals.