a year since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a year since' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific point in time that happened one year ago. For example, "It's been a year since I saw my best friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I haven't missed a year since.

The New York Times - Travel

All other hospitals average 15 autopsies a year since 2006.

Yale University

It has been a year since the developers stopped calling.

The New York Times

Ocado's sales have increased by 21% a year since 2007.

The Economist

It had been a year since Rafe kissed her.

The New Yorker

It has increased capacity by 50% a year since 2001.

The Economist

It had been a year since I'd last seen him.

The New York Times

Revenue has grown about 2 percent a year since 2007.

The New York Times

Q It's been exactly a year since the company started.

The New York Times

It's been a year since that impossible thing happened.

The New York Times

That figure has risen by 90% a year since 1998.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a year since" to clearly indicate the passage of one year from a specific event or date. This phrase is useful when you want to emphasize the duration and its relevance to the current situation.

Common error

Avoid using the present simple tense with "a year since" when describing past events. For instance, instead of saying "It is a year since he leaves", use "It has been a year since he left".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a year since" functions as a prepositional phrase that indicates the passage of time, specifically a duration of one year, from a specified event or point in time. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a year since" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that denotes the passage of one year from a specific event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It functions to establish a temporal relationship, indicating how much time has passed and its relevance to the current situation. While versatile, it’s important to use the correct tense and maintain a neutral tone. Common alternatives include "one year ago" and "a year prior". This phrase is commonly found in news articles, academic writing, and general discourse, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

One year ago

Specifies a point exactly one year in the past, with a focus on the date.

One year since then

Highlights the passage of a year from a previously mentioned event, emphasizing the duration.

One year earlier

Highlights that something occurred one year before the current or referenced time.

A year prior

Indicates a duration of one year preceding a specific event or date.

A year before today

Links directly to the current date, specifying that the event happened one year before the present day.

A year in the past

Emphasizes that the event took place in the past, focusing on its distance from the present.

Twelve months ago

Uses a different unit of time to denote the same duration, which emphasizes the length of time.

365 days ago

Provides the most precise measurement of time passed, focusing on the number of days.

A year from then

Refers to a point one year after a specified past event, changing the temporal direction.

Last year at this time

Relates to a specific time of year exactly one year prior, adding seasonal context.

FAQs

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

Use "a year since" to indicate that a year has passed from a specific event. For example, "It's been "a year since" the accident occurred".

What are some alternatives to "a year since"?

You can use alternatives like "one year ago", "a year prior", or "twelve months ago" depending on the context and the level of formality.

Is it correct to say "one year since" instead of "a year since"?

While "one year since" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""a year since"" is more commonly used and sounds more natural in most contexts.

What is the difference between ""a year since"" and "last year"?

""a year since"" refers to the duration of time elapsed from a specific event to the present, whereas "last year" refers to the entire preceding calendar year.