a given year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a given year" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific year or time period that is known or previously mentioned. Example: In a given year, the stock market experienced significant fluctuations.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

LOUIS J. ARONNE: For a given year, maybe it will.

Cornell University

"In a given year, you have 200 million pathology slides.

The New York Times

What percentage of talent should move in a given year?

Harvard Business Review

Some made $100 million in a given year.

The New York Times

The total annual precipitation was found if all monthly data in a given year were present.

Journal of Hydrology

As with any orchestra, it depends on what each section's needs are for a given year.

Yale University

All students admitted during a given year must begin the program in the fall.

Columbia University

How many students take advantage of the department's classes in a given year?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Vacation time is taken proportionally equal to time spent in each residency in a given year.

Stanford University

Nominations received in a given year shall be carried over to the next year automatically.

Harvard University

The award will honor work during a given year, beginning in 2018.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about data or trends across multiple years, be consistent in how you refer to individual years. Using "a given year" helps establish a clear point of reference.

Common error

Avoid using "a given year" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "that year" or "in one year" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a given year" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or clause related to time. As shown by Ludwig, it specifies a particular year under consideration, making it useful for academic and scientific writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

Academia

35%

News & Media

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a given year" is a versatile phrase used to denote a specific year, primarily in formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across academic, scientific, and news domains. While alternatives exist, "a given year" offers a level of precision that makes it valuable in professional communication. When employing this phrase, consider the context and adjust your language accordingly to maintain clarity and avoid overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a particular year

Replaces 'given' with 'particular', emphasizing the specific nature of the year.

in any one year

Uses 'any one' to suggest a single year chosen from a range of possibilities.

during that year

Refers to a year previously mentioned or understood in the context.

that specific year

Highlights the specificity of the year being discussed.

in the designated year

Implies that the year has been officially or formally identified.

within a specified year

Similar to 'a given year', but with a slightly more formal tone.

for a certain year

Emphasizes that the year is known, but perhaps not explicitly stated.

one particular year

Similar to 'in a particular year', stressing individuality.

in a determined year

Highlights that the year has been definitively established.

during a single year

Focuses on the fact that the period is only one year long.

FAQs

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

You can use "a given year" to refer to a specific year that is being discussed or analyzed. For example, "The study examined the economic impact of the policy in "a given year"".

What are some alternatives to saying "a given year"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "in a particular year", "during that year", or "that specific year".

Is it better to say "in a given year" or "during a given year"?

Both "in "a given year"" and "during "a given year"" are grammatically correct. "In" is generally more common when referring to a point in time, while "during" implies a period of time.

Which is correct: "for a given year" or "of a given year"?

"For "a given year"" is the more common and natural phrasing. "Of "a given year"" is less frequently used and may sound awkward in many contexts.