a landmark year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a landmark year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a year that is significant or noteworthy, often due to important events or changes. Example: "The year 2020 was a landmark year for the global health community due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

2012 was a landmark year for apprenticeships.

The Guardian

It's been a landmark year for English wine, too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

2011 was a landmark year for us at the Guardian.

The Guardian

Mormon scholars said 2013 was a landmark year for the religion on gay and lesbian issues.

The Guardian

Adam Freeman, GNM's Executive Director - Commercial, said: "2011 has been a landmark year for the Guardian.

The Guardian

John Vaughan, a consultant who specialises in mega-churches, argues that 2005 has been a landmark year.

The Economist

A landmark year for hip-hop was 1999, with Eminem's major label debut, The Slim Shady LP.

Independent

And the sense that 2016 may be a landmark year for dramatic balance is tangible not only at the National.

The Guardian

Newton described 2007 as a "landmark year" for the group, when the roles of chairman and chief executive were split.

The Guardian - Business

A decade on from the bank's taxpayer £45bn bailout, the chairman, Howard Davies, lauded a "landmark year" for the bank.

The Guardian - Business

He called this a "landmark year," however, because no more than five Asian-Americans had run in past council elections.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a landmark year" to emphasize that a specific year was particularly important or noteworthy due to significant events, changes, or achievements. Ensure the context clearly defines what made the year stand out.

Common error

Avoid using "a landmark year" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "a pivotal year" or "a significant year" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a landmark year" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies a specific year as being particularly significant or noteworthy. Ludwig shows various examples of it being used to highlight importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a landmark year" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that signifies a year of exceptional importance due to significant events or developments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for neutral to professional contexts, especially in news, business, and academic writing. While highly useful, avoid overuse by considering synonyms such as "a pivotal year" or "a significant year". Remember, the phrase draws attention to the impact of the year, so ensure the context provides sufficient explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pivotal year

Focuses on the turning point aspect of the year, emphasizing its importance for future developments.

a significant year

Highlights the importance and impact of the year, without necessarily implying a turning point.

a banner year

Suggests a year of great success and achievement, often in a particular field or endeavor.

a watershed year

Emphasizes a clear division or change in direction, often with lasting consequences.

a turning point year

Directly indicates a moment of significant change, setting a new course.

a transformative year

Stresses the profound and lasting changes that occurred during the year.

a memorable year

Focuses on the year being easily remembered, often due to positive or important events.

an unprecedented year

Indicates that the year was unique and without prior parallel, often due to unusual circumstances.

a ground-breaking year

Highlights innovation and the introduction of novel developments during the year.

a defining year

Suggests that the year played a critical role in shaping future events or outcomes.

FAQs

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

You can use "a landmark year" to describe a year that was particularly important or significant due to specific events. For example, "2020 was "a landmark year" for remote work adoption".

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

You can use alternatives like "a pivotal year", "a significant year", or "a turning point" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a landmark year" in formal writing?

Yes, "a landmark year" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing historical events or significant developments. However, ensure the context is clear and the significance of the year is well-explained.

What makes a year qualify as "a landmark year"?

A year qualifies as "a landmark year" when it is marked by events, changes, or achievements that have a lasting impact or represent a significant turning point. These events should be widely recognized and consequential.