a year and a bit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a year and a bit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a duration of slightly more than one year, often in informal contexts. Example: "I lived in London for a year and a bit before moving back home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

(It had been a year and a bit).

The New York Times - Arts

He committed for three years but he's gone after a year and a bit.

The Guardian - Sport

A year and a bit ago I was diagnosed with an autoimmune form of arthritis.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fast forward a year and a bit and the joke's on me.

The Guardian - Film

In that time the median age in America has probably risen by a year and a bit.

The Economist

"The problem with me is that opera is so far in advance, it would be a year and a bit away.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Romania's prime minister for the past year-and-a-bit, Adrian Nastase, is a tough, intelligent ex-communist who says the right social democratic things but is having difficulty turning words into deeds.

The Economist

The difference between the bottom and top categories, Professor Hamermesh said, "is equivalent to about a year and a half, maybe a bit less, of extra schooling; that's not small, it's not big".

The New York Times

"Keep in mind this was before Pokemon Go," says CEO Ross Finman, discussing how he and CTO Diana Hu founded the company about a year and a half ago, initially as a bit of a side project— before going all in full time last November.

TechCrunch

She remains sober for a year and a half and the Mainwarings get a bit smug about the whole thing.

The New Yorker

"The payback for the extra cost of the natural gas trucks is a year and a half, so it's a little bit of a no-brainer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a year and a bit", consider the context. If precision is needed, a more specific timeframe, like "14 months" or "1.25 years", might be better.

Common error

Avoid using "a year and a bit" in formal reports, academic papers, or business documents. Opt for more precise language like "approximately 14 months" or "slightly over one year" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a year and a bit" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause by specifying a duration of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to express a period slightly longer than a year.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a year and a bit" is a common and acceptable way to express a duration slightly longer than one year, as verified by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, its informal register makes it suitable for casual contexts but less appropriate for formal writing. Alternatives such as "slightly over a year" or "approximately 14 months" offer greater precision when needed. Remember to avoid overuse in formal settings to maintain a professional tone. Overall, the phrase effectively conveys an approximate timeframe in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly over a year

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the duration being just beyond a year.

A little over a year

This alternative emphasizes that the time period is marginally longer than a year.

One year plus a little

This version is simpler and more direct, using 'plus' to indicate the additional time.

A year and some change

This is a slightly more colloquial version, implying the 'bit' is not precisely defined.

Roughly a year and a quarter

This alternative implies a more specific fraction of the year is added.

Approximately 14 months

This specifies the timeframe in months for a more precise but less idiomatic feel.

Around a year and a half

While technically longer, it can approximate "a year and a bit" depending on context.

A year or so

This phrase is less specific, indicating an approximate duration close to a year.

One year and a portion

This phrase is a more formal way of saying a year and some change

Just over twelve months

More literal and specific, avoiding idiomatic expressions.

FAQs

What does the phrase "a year and a bit" mean?

The phrase "a year and a bit" means slightly more than a year. It's an informal way to indicate a duration without being precise.

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

No, it is generally not appropriate to use "a year and a bit" in formal writing. More precise language, such as "slightly over a year" or "approximately 14 months", is preferred.

What are some alternatives to saying "a year and a bit"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly over a year", "a little over a year", or "a year and some change", depending on the context.

How accurate is the expression "a year and a bit"?

The expression "a year and a bit" is not very accurate, it's an idiom. It simply indicates that the duration is a little longer than a year, but the exact amount is unspecified.