a banner year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a banner year" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a year that has been exceptionally successful or profitable, often in a business or personal context. Example: "Thanks to our innovative marketing strategies, this has been a banner year for our sales team, exceeding all previous records."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In short, it was a banner year.

The New York Times

This year has been a banner year.

Stanford University

It's a banner year for me politically.

University of California, Berkeley

Latham is coming off a banner year.

The New York Times

"Not every year will be a banner year".

The New York Times - Sports

(We're getting there — it was almost a banner year).

The New York Times

It has already been a banner year for Ms. Gupta.

The New York Times - Arts

1998 was a banner year for books at auction.

The Economist

The University Chamber Chorus enjoyed a banner year.

University of California, Berkeley

For Weill Cornell Medicine, 1998 was a banner year.

Cornell University

2018 was a banner year for private equity.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a banner year" when you want to emphasize that a particular year was remarkably successful or positive compared to previous years. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a banner year" sarcastically to describe a year filled with negative events. This can confuse your audience and undermine your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a banner year" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object to describe a specific year as exceptionally successful or noteworthy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common idiom for indicating a period of high achievement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

28%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a banner year" is a widely recognized and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a year of exceptional success or achievement. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correctness and common usage. It appears frequently in news, academic, and business contexts, signaling significant positive outcomes. Alternatives include "a record year" and "an outstanding year". When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a period of genuine success, avoiding sarcastic or ironic usage to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a record year

Implies achieving the best results ever recorded, focusing on measurable outcomes.

an outstanding year

Highlights the exceptional quality and performance of the year.

a successful year

Indicates a year marked by positive results and accomplishments.

a fruitful year

Suggests a year of abundant results and positive outcomes.

a bumper year

Similar to "a banner year", but more often used in agricultural or economic contexts to describe a year of high yield or profit.

a golden year

Emphasizes the high value and positive nature of the year.

a landmark year

Highlights the importance of the year as a turning point or significant event.

a breakthrough year

Suggests significant progress or discovery made during the year.

a vintage year

Often used in the context of wine, but can generally describe a year of exceptional quality.

a memorable year

Focuses on the unforgettable nature of the year, highlighting significant events.

FAQs

How can I use "a banner year" in a sentence?

You can use "a banner year" to describe a period of exceptional success or achievement. For example, "This year has been "a banner year" for our company, with record profits and expansion into new markets."

What can I say instead of "a banner year"?

You can use alternatives like "a record year", "an outstanding year", or "a successful year" depending on the context.

Is "banner year" formal or informal?

"Banner year" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. It can be used in business reports, news articles, and casual conversations to describe a particularly successful year.

What makes a year "a banner year"?

A year is considered ""a banner year"" when it significantly exceeds expectations in terms of success, achievement, or positive outcomes compared to previous periods. This can be measured by financial gains, significant milestones, or overall positive impact.