a violent year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a violent year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a year characterized by significant violence or conflict, often in a historical or social context. Example: "The statistics revealed that 2020 was a violent year, with a dramatic increase in crime rates and civil unrest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was a violent year.

The New York Times

If so, Colombia may be in for a violent year.

The Economist

It has been a violent year for Toronto.

The Washington Post

In Turkey, a Capstone to a Violent Year.

The New York Times

Crime crept back up in 2012, especially near the neighborhood's borders, but it has been a violent year in Chicago, with homicides up 16 percent over 2011.

The New York Times - Science

Protesters gathered in Sana'a, and a violent year followed, in which government troops shot demonstrators and Saleh was wounded in a bomb attack.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In 2014, NBR voters handed the best film prize to JC Chandor's A Most Violent Year, which failed to make a significant impact at the Oscars.

The Guardian - Film

January alone sees the UK release of a brace of potent US crime dramas in Bennett Miller's Foxcatcher and JC Chandor's A Most Violent Year.

The Guardian - Film

There's also JC Chandor's A Most Violent Year, starring Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain and David Oyelowo, which deserved Oscar nominations but failed to secure them.

The Guardian - Film

Was "A Most Violent Year" a deliberate attempt to work with a larger canvas?

Los Angeles Times

Its success allowed Mr Chandor to do exactly what he wanted with "A Most Violent Year"—wrapping a plot about a business transaction inside a story about an immigrant's struggle to live the American Dream rather than what he describes as "getting funnelled towards the seventh 'X-Men' movie"."A Most Violent Year" has much of the gangster film about it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a violent year", provide specific context to clarify the type and extent of violence. For example, specify whether it refers to political unrest, crime rates, or armed conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "a violent year" without providing specific details. Simply stating a year was violent lacks informative value. Instead, quantify the violence with statistics or describe the specific events that made the year violent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a violent year" functions as a noun phrase that modifies the noun "year" with the adjective "violent". Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and commonly found.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a violent year" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a year characterized by significant violence or conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to modify the noun "year", highlighting the prevalence of violence. This phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, it's important to provide specific context when using this phrase to avoid overgeneralization and ensure clarity. Alternatives include "a year of conflict" or "a turbulent year", each offering slightly different nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a year marked by violence

Rephrases to emphasize violence as a defining characteristic of the year.

a year of conflict

Replaces "violent" with a more general term for conflict.

a year of turmoil

Substitutes "violent" with "turmoil", emphasizing disorder and unrest.

a year of unrest

Focuses on the lack of peace and order during the year.

a turbulent year

Uses "turbulent" to describe a year filled with disturbances and instability.

a year of strife

Replaces "violent" with "strife", highlighting struggle and discord.

a year plagued by violence

Uses "plagued" to suggest violence was a pervasive problem.

a bloody year

Emphasizes the physical violence and bloodshed of the year.

a year of aggression

Focuses on acts of aggression as the primary form of violence.

a year of hostilities

Highlights the presence of hostile actions and conflicts.

FAQs

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

You can use "a violent year" to describe a period marked by significant conflict or unrest. For example: "2020 was "a violent year", characterized by widespread protests and increased crime rates".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "a year of turmoil", "a year of conflict", or "a turbulent year", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a violent year" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reports or academic analyses. However, ensure the context is clear and supported by evidence.

What distinguishes "a violent year" from "a year of crisis"?

"A violent year" specifically refers to periods marked by physical aggression and conflict. "A year of crisis" encompasses a broader range of severe difficulties, including economic downturns, natural disasters, and political instability.