a bunch of years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bunch of years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used informally to refer to a significant but unspecified number of years, often in a casual context. Example: "I've been working in this industry for a bunch of years, and I've seen a lot of changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"I didn't realise my voice was anything special for a bunch of years.

The Guardian - Music

"For a bunch of years, a lot of people who should know better have said that we had an alternative," Powell told me.

The New Yorker

We've known Robbie a bunch of years and he's a first-class person and we're only too excited to have him here with us".

The Guardian - Sport

I said that was nonsense, she had already agreed to meet me, there was nothing but a bunch of years in between us.

The New York Times

"I'd be surprised if, a bunch of years down the road," Mr. Immelt said, "we aren't into businesses that require new names".

The New York Times

When I lived in Washington for a bunch of years beginning in 1977, one of my favorite spots was the open-air terrace bar of the Washington Hotel, just across Fifteenth Street from the Treasury building.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Agassi would admit he was no beacon of dedication for a bunch of those years and nobody's role model either.

The New York Times - Sports

At Oxford University, Blatter performs his drunk granddad at a wedding routine, a 77- year-old trying to make a bunch of 18-year-old students laugh.

The Guardian - Sport

These research subjects were a bunch of 60-year-olds, but the principles easily transfer to managing, say, 6-year-olds.

The Guardian - Opinion

Simply a bunch of 19-year-olds and random role players paired with a retiring 37-year-old superstar coming off of devastating injuries.

Huffington Post

And I know a bunch of 9-year-olds ready to vote for it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bunch of years", ensure the context is informal or conversational. It's suitable for personal anecdotes or casual discussions but may be less appropriate in formal writing or academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using "a bunch of years" in formal documents or professional communications. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives such as "several years" or "a number of years" to maintain a credible tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "a bunch of years" is as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb by indicating duration. Ludwig examples show it used to specify how long someone has known someone or been doing something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bunch of years" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe an indefinite but significant period. According to Ludwig AI, while perfectly acceptable in informal contexts, it should be avoided in formal writing. Its primary function is adverbial, indicating duration in a casual register. Alternative phrases, like "several years" or "a number of years", offer more formal options, depending on the specific context. Predominantly found in News & Media, "a bunch of years" serves to generally quantify duration without precise specification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several years

Replaces the informal "a bunch" with a more formal and precise quantifier.

many years

Substitutes "a bunch" with a more general term indicating a large quantity.

a number of years

Offers a slightly more formal alternative using "number" instead of "bunch".

a good few years

Adds emphasis to the duration being considered significant.

quite a few years

Similar to "a good few years", emphasizing the length of time.

a considerable period

Replaces years with a more generic period, implying an extended duration.

an extended duration

Uses a more formal and descriptive way to indicate a long period.

a long stretch of time

Replaces "years" with a more metaphorical expression for time.

a significant span of time

Emphasizes the importance and length of the time period.

over a long time

Expresses a long duration in a more generic way.

FAQs

What does "a bunch of years" mean?

The phrase "a bunch of years" is an informal way to refer to a period of several years, implying a notable but unspecified duration.

How can I use "a bunch of years" in a sentence?

You might say, "I've known him for "a bunch of years", since we were in college together."

What can I say instead of "a bunch of years"?

You can use alternatives like "several years", "many years", or "a number of years" depending on the context.

Is "a bunch of years" formal or informal?

The expression "a bunch of years" is considered informal. For formal contexts, it's better to use more precise alternatives like "several years" or "a significant period".