Many years since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Many years since" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a significant amount of time has passed since a particular event or moment. Example: "Many years since we last met, I still remember that day vividly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It has been many years since the last big changes.

The Economist

It's been many years since I watched it.

The Guardian - Film

It has been many years since I have read these stories.

The New Yorker

"I haven't been on the dance floor in so many years, since the '70s," he said.

The New York Times

I've been in Miami on and off for many years, since I was a child.

The New York Times

For most it will have been many years since they studied at such a high level.

The Economist

"It has been so many years since I've lived in a place that felt like home".

The New York Times

It's been many years since he released a movie or taped a comedy special.

The New York Times - Arts

That said, it has been many years since I've read fantasy or science fiction.

The New York Times - Books

Presumably it's been many years since he last took a bus.

Independent

It has been many years since she and John were truly in love, Constance explains.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "many years since" to create a sense of nostalgia or to emphasize the impact of time on a situation or memory.

Common error

Avoid using "many years since" with present tense verbs. It's generally used with past perfect or simple past to indicate an event that happened long ago and its lasting consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many years since" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb by indicating when something occurred in the past. It sets a temporal context, often emphasizing the duration and impact of time elapsed since a specific event. As Ludwig AI suggests, it correctly indicates that a significant amount of time has passed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

18%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "many years since" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that establishes a temporal distance between the present and a past event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's effective in creating a sense of nostalgia or emphasizing the impact of time. While suitable for a range of contexts, from news to informal conversation, more formal settings might benefit from alternative phrasing. Common usage involves past tense verbs, and understanding its function helps writers effectively convey the passage of time. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage in various media and scientific contexts, highlighting its versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A long time has passed since

Emphasizes the length of the time elapsed.

Years have gone by since

Highlights the progression of years.

It's been ages since

Informal way to say a very long time has passed.

A considerable time has elapsed since

More formal and emphasizes the substantial amount of time.

Since many years ago

Rearranges the structure, focusing on the distant past.

It has been quite a while since

Similar in meaning, replacing "many years" with "quite a while".

Many years have transpired since

Uses the more formal word "transpired".

It's been several years since

Uses "several" to quantify the years.

I haven't (done something) in years

Focuses on the lack of an action over a long time.

The last time was years ago

Highlights the event in the distant past.

FAQs

How can I use "Many years since" in a sentence?

You can use "Many years since" to indicate that a significant amount of time has passed since a particular event. For instance, "Many years since we last met, I still remember that day vividly."

What are some alternatives to "Many years since"?

Alternatives include "a long time has passed since", "years have gone by since", or "it's been ages since depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "Many years since" in formal writing?

Yes, "Many years since" is appropriate for formal writing, although alternatives like "a considerable time has elapsed since" might be preferred in certain academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "Many years since" and "A few years since"?

"Many years since" indicates a substantial amount of time has passed, creating a sense of distance or nostalgia. "A few years since" refers to a shorter, more recent period.