a great year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a year that was particularly positive or successful in some way. Example: "Looking back, I can confidently say that 2022 was a great year for our business, with record sales and new partnerships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Fouts had a great year.

The New York Times - Sports

She had a great year.

The New York Times

We had a great year off.

The New York Times - Health

Lehman Brothers is having a great year.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I think it's a great year".

The New York Times

The N.F.L. had a great year.

The New York Times - Sports

"The men had a great year.

The New York Times - Sports

"It should be a great year".

The New York Times

Marcus Allen had a great year that year".

The New York Times - Sports

"Nobody's had a great year.

The New York Times - Sports

2014 is a great year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great year" when summarizing positive experiences and outcomes within a specific year. It's concise and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences in a paragraph with "a great year". Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using synonyms like "a fantastic year" or rephrasing with alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great year" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to describe a specific period of time as having positive attributes or significant achievements, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a great year" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe a year marked by positive experiences and successes. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase functions as a noun phrase used to express a positive evaluation. While its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, more formal settings may benefit from specific descriptions of the year's achievements. To avoid repetition, consider using synonyms like "a fantastic year" or "an excellent year".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fantastic year

Replaces "great" with a synonym emphasizing enthusiasm.

a wonderful year

Replaces "great" with a synonym suggesting a positive and enjoyable experience.

an excellent year

Substitutes "great" with a more formal synonym indicating high quality or performance.

a remarkable year

Changes "great" to highlight the year's unusual or noteworthy qualities.

a successful year

Focuses on the achievement of goals and positive outcomes during the year.

a banner year

Uses a more figurative expression to describe a year of significant achievement or prosperity.

a golden year

Implies a year of exceptional opportunity and success.

a prosperous year

Emphasizes financial success and growth during the year.

a fruitful year

Highlights productivity and positive results achieved throughout the year.

a vintage year

Suggests a year of superior quality, often used in contexts related to wine or other refined products.

FAQs

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

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

Is "a great year" formal or informal?

"A great year" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider using more precise language to describe the specific achievements or positive aspects of the year.

How to use "a great year" in a sentence?

You can use "a great year" to describe a period marked by success and positive experiences. For example: "2024 was a great year for our company, with record profits and expansion into new markets."

What's the difference between "a great year" and "a good year"?

"A great year" implies a higher degree of success, satisfaction, or positive outcomes compared to "a good year". While "good" suggests general positivity, "great" denotes exceptional achievement or enjoyment.