a phenomenal year

USAGE SUMMARY

'a phenomenal year' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that had an exceptional or extraordinary quality. For example, "2020 has been a phenomenal year for the stock market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

A We've had a phenomenal year.

The New York Times

"It was a phenomenal year," McIlroy said.

Independent

It has been a phenomenal year.

The New York Times

"Last year was a phenomenal year," she said.

The New York Times

We're looking for a phenomenal year".

The New York Times

It's also been a phenomenal year for escaping reality too.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It's been a pretty phenomenal year for me," Shields said, "but there's a lot of hard work that went into that".

The New York Times - Sports

It was a pretty phenomenal year and no one would have predicted that the guy who ended up winning it hadn't led all year.

The Guardian - Sport

Steve's Leaves says that sales are rocketing (excuse the pun) by a phenomenal 60 per cent year-on-year.

Independent

Meanwhile, how should we assess the impact of Jamie Vardy's phenomenal year in a global reckoning of talent?

The Guardian - Sport

Despite that, in the past two years, Kaycee's students have averaged a phenomenal three years of growth each year.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a phenomenal year" to succinctly and powerfully convey that a particular year was exceptionally good or noteworthy. It's a strong phrase that immediately signals positive outcomes or significant achievements.

Common error

Avoid using "a phenomenal year" when the year in question was only moderately successful or noteworthy. Reserve this phrase for situations where the exceptional nature of the year is clear and demonstrable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a phenomenal year" functions primarily as a noun phrase serving as a subject complement or object. It describes a specific period (a year) and attributes to it the quality of being "phenomenal," indicating exceptional success or positive development. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is both correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a phenomenal year" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe a year of exceptional success or noteworthy achievement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and business settings. While the phrase carries a strong positive connotation, overuse should be avoided. Consider alternatives such as "an outstanding year" or "a banner year" to add variety to your writing. Its usage patterns suggest a predominantly neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An outstanding year

Replaces "phenomenal" with a different adjective emphasizing exceptional quality.

A remarkable year

Emphasizes the year's noteworthy and memorable nature.

An extraordinary year

Uses "extraordinary" to highlight the year's unusual and exceptional character.

A banner year

Uses an idiomatic expression indicating a highly successful year.

A record-breaking year

Focuses on the year's achievement of new records or milestones.

A successful year

A more general phrase indicating positive outcomes and accomplishments.

A prosperous year

Highlights financial success and growth during the year.

A fruitful year

Emphasizes the year's productivity and positive results.

A vintage year

Implies a year of exceptional quality, often used in the context of wine or other agricultural products.

A transformative year

Highlights significant changes and developments that occurred during the year.

FAQs

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

You can use "a phenomenal year" to describe a period marked by exceptional success or achievement. For example: "2024 was "a phenomenal year" for our company, with record-breaking sales."

What are some alternatives to "a phenomenal year"?

Alternatives to "a phenomenal year" include "an outstanding year", "a remarkable year", or "a banner year", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "a phenomenal year" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in business or news contexts, as it effectively communicates a high degree of success or achievement. The usage data shows it to be common in formal publications like the The New York Times.

What makes a year "phenomenal"?

A year can be considered "phenomenal" if it significantly exceeds expectations, achieves record-breaking results, or is marked by exceptional achievements or positive developments. The specifics depend on the context, such as business performance, athletic accomplishments, or personal growth.