a year in which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a year in which" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an expression that refers to a specific period of time, usually a year, and can be used to introduce a clause of statements or events that occurred during that year. For example, "2018 was a year in which we celebrated many successes and faced some challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a year in which no one film dominated.

The Guardian - Film

This has been a year in which experience has told.

The Guardian

The report caps a year in which just over 4 million jobs were lost, following on a year in which just over 3 million jobs were lost.

The Economist

There still is a year in which to smooth out these wrinkles.

University of California, Berkeley

2017 is likely to be a year in which progress toward greater board diversity significantly accelerates.

Harvard University

Cabral's triumph capped a year in which the team broke records on a ­regular basis.

Princeton University

I love a year in which I don't have a book coming out and dread a year in which there is one.

The Guardian - Books

It was a year in which New Yorkers talked about these 110 things.

The New York Times

And they followed a year in which the Chinese military put seven reconnaissance satellites into orbit.

The New York Times

It is the culmination of a year in which Wawrinka has climbed while Federer has faltered.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Walters's decision follows a year in which her health became a national story.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a year in which" to introduce a clause that provides specific details or events related to that year. For clarity, ensure the year is clearly defined either before or within the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "a year in which" without a clear context or reference to the specific year. Always ensure the reader knows which year you are referring to, either explicitly or through context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a year in which" functions as a relative clause introducer. It connects a main clause to a subordinate clause that provides further information about a specific year. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

23%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a year in which" is a versatile phrase used to introduce information about a particular year, functioning as a relative clause introducer. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. While it is most frequently found in News & Media, and Academia, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by providing a clear reference to the specific year, and avoid vague or ambiguous phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the year that

Emphasizes the duration and specific timeframe, replacing "in which" with "that".

in the course of that year

Highlights the progression of events within the specified year.

throughout that year

Focuses on events happening from the start to the end of the year.

that particular year

Adds emphasis on the specified year, creating a more specific reference.

in that specific year

Similar to 'that particular year', it adds emphasis on the year being referenced.

when that year occurred

Alters the structure to focus on the occurrence of the year itself.

in the time that year

Changes the emphasis to the period, making it less common.

during that 365-day period

Replaces "year" with a more literal description, reducing idiomatic feel.

a 12-month period when

A more descriptive way to phrase the year in a relative sentence.

within that annual timeframe

Uses more formal language to describe the timeframe.

FAQs

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

Use "a year in which" to introduce a relative clause specifying an event, characteristic or situation pertaining to that year. For example, "2020 was "a year in which" the world faced a global pandemic".

What are some alternatives to "a year in which"?

Some alternatives include "during the year that", "in the course of that year", or "throughout that year". The best option depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "a year in which" or "the year that"?

"A year in which" is slightly more formal and literary than "the year that". Both are grammatically correct, but "a year in which" often appears in more descriptive or analytical contexts.

Can "a year in which" be used to describe past, present and future years?

Yes, "a year in which" can refer to past, present or future years. The key is to ensure that the tense of the verb in the relative clause matches the time frame you are discussing. For example: "2022 was "a year in which" the economy recovered", "2025 is "a year in which" we expect growth".