across the years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'across the years' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a span of time or a sustained development. For example: Their love has grown stronger across the years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For listeners, the experience across the years has been transformative.

The New York Times

The idea had arisen here and there across the years, but now its time had come.

The New Yorker

When Pepys dwells in loving detail on his bladder stone, it humanizes him across the years.

The New York Times - Books

The pair's connection is complex and frayed, yet it has held across the years.

The Guardian - Books

But it's another remark by Kipling that resonates across the years.

The Guardian

But "Ziegler reached out across the years and cradled them all the way to the water".

The New York Times - Books

Like a voice that projects across the footlights, Baylis's character carries across the years.

The Guardian - Books

The 46 drawings and prints range across the years from 1489 to 1924.

The New York Times

In this atmosphere, Mr. Bradford's characters transmit their anguish across the years.

The New York Times

The castle adds a history, a layer into time, access to humanity across the years.

The Guardian - Arts

Starting in 1983, the Challenger shuttle had been through nine successful launches, in progressively lower ambient temperatures, across the years.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "across the years" to emphasize a continuous process or enduring impact that spans a considerable period. For instance, "The benefits of this policy have been evident across the years."

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "across the years" for brief periods can sound unnatural. For example, saying "The trend changed across the last two years" could be better phrased as "The trend changed in the last two years."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the years" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate a duration or period. It specifies the timeframe over which an action, event, or condition occurs, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

57%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "across the years" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates duration or persistence over a long period. It is grammatically correct and appears frequently in both formal and informal contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. While alternatives like "over the years" and "through the years" exist, "across the years" offers a distinct emphasis on continuity. According to Ludwig's analysis, this phrase is most prevalent in Science and News & Media, showcasing its broad applicability. When using "across the years", it's crucial to ensure the time frame is substantial enough to warrant its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the years

This alternative is a more direct and common synonym, focusing on the passage of time.

through the years

Similar to "over the years", this option emphasizes the journey or experience across a time span.

as the years go by

This alternative highlights the incremental accumulation of years.

in the intervening years

This highlights the time that has passed between two specific points.

as time passes

This phrase shifts the focus to the ongoing nature of time's progression.

down through the ages

This alternative conveys a sense of much longer duration, stretching back through history.

in the course of time

This option offers a more formal and literary way to express the unfolding of events over time.

with the passage of time

This emphasizes the effect of time on something, rather than simply its duration.

during the period

This phrase is more specific, referring to a defined time frame.

throughout history

This widens the scope to encompass all of recorded time.

FAQs

How can I use "across the years" in a sentence?

The phrase "across the years" typically indicates something that has occurred or persisted over a long period. For example, "Their friendship has deepened "across the years"" or "Technology has evolved rapidly "across the years"".

What are some alternatives to "across the years"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "over the years", "through the years", or "in the course of time", each offering a slightly different nuance regarding the duration or passage of time.

Is it more appropriate to use "across the years" or "over the years"?

Both "across the years" and "over the years" are generally interchangeable, but "over the years" is more common in everyday conversation. "Across the years" can sometimes imply a more continuous or consistent effect.

Can "across the years" be used to describe future events?

While primarily used to describe past or ongoing trends, "across the years" can also project into the future when discussing long-term plans or expectations. For example, "We hope to see continued growth "across the years"" suggests anticipating growth far into the future.