a valuable year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a valuable year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a year that has been significant or beneficial in some way, often in terms of personal growth, achievements, or experiences. Example: "Looking back, I can confidently say that 2022 was a valuable year for my career development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is time for it to admit what most Americans already know: we squandered hundreds of lives, tens of billions of dollars and a valuable year of time chasing a red herring, while the true threats of rogue nuclear acquisition were forgotten or ignored.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

With the help of American diplomats, I attended college for a few valuable years.

Huffington Post

Who knows, it may even be the most valuable year of your life.

The Guardian

The worst, and most professionally valuable, year of my life came when, immediately after graduating, I worked for Jocelyn Stevens on Queen magazine.

The Guardian

That is a loss of valuable years of experience, but it also provides an opportunity to promote a new group of leaders who can help put into effect some of the new ideas contained in the report.

The New York Times

Others worry that they will lose valuable years of saving for the future.

The New York Times

Valuable years lost on what the engraver George Vertue aptly termed "low-shrubb instructions" had crucial bearing on Hogarth's subsequent development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Who will compensate for the loss of their valuable years of life?" But the BJP, which controls Gujarat, welcomed the verdict.

Independent

There are some who claim Owen has wasted three valuable years of his career at United, where he was never likely to gain a regular place even if he had stayed fit.

The Guardian - Sport

Having grown up in military surroundings, Kleist became dissatisfied with the career of an army officer, which had been chosen for him, and resigned his commission after "the loss of seven valuable years".

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I thought, How am I going to spend two valuable years of my life?" said Mr. Garamendi, 64, who previously served as the deputy secretary of interior in the Clinton administration as well as the California's first elected insurance commissioner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a valuable year", consider specifying what made the year valuable. Providing context adds depth and clarity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a year was "valuable" without providing specific examples or details. Overusing vague descriptors weakens the impact of your writing. Instead, showcase tangible achievements or experiences that support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valuable year" functions as a noun phrase, where 'valuable' modifies 'year'. Ludwig AI shows the phrase is correct and usable. It acts as a descriptor, indicating that the year in question holds significance or worth.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a valuable year" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a year considered to be significant or beneficial. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across varied sources. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific content. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide clear context as to why the year was valuable. Consider alternatives such as "a significant year" or "a fruitful year" to better match your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant year

Replaces 'valuable' with 'significant', emphasizing the importance or impact of the year.

a fruitful year

Substitutes 'valuable' with 'fruitful', highlighting the year's productivity and positive outcomes.

a rewarding year

Replaces 'valuable' with 'rewarding', focusing on the satisfaction and benefits gained during the year.

a meaningful year

Changes 'valuable' to 'meaningful', stressing the depth and purpose found within the year.

an enriching year

Replaces 'valuable' with 'enriching', highlighting the personal growth and learning experiences of the year.

an important year

Substitutes 'valuable' with 'important', underscoring the year's critical role or influence.

a memorable year

Changes 'valuable' to 'memorable', focusing on the year's unforgettable moments and experiences.

a formative year

Replaces 'valuable' with 'formative', emphasizing the year's impact on shaping one's character or future.

a beneficial year

Substitutes 'valuable' with 'beneficial', stressing the advantages and positive effects of the year.

a worthwhile year

Changes 'valuable' to 'worthwhile', highlighting the year's merits and justification of time spent.

FAQs

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

You can use "a valuable year" to describe a period of time that was significant or beneficial. For example, "2020 was "a valuable year" for my personal growth because I learned many new skills."

What are some alternatives to "a valuable year"?

Some alternatives include "a significant year", "a fruitful year", or "a rewarding year", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a valuable year"?

While grammatically correct, consider if "valuable" is the most precise descriptor. If the year was more impactful than simply "valuable", consider alternatives like "a transformative year".

How do I make the phrase "a valuable year" more impactful?

Provide specific details and examples to illustrate why the year was valuable. Instead of saying "It was "a valuable year"", say "It was "a valuable year" because I completed my degree and secured a job."