an annual cycle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an annual cycle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a recurring process or event that happens once a year. Example: "The agricultural industry relies heavily on an annual cycle of planting and harvesting crops."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Elsewhere they have an annual cycle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indeed, there ought to be an annual cycle.

MIT Technology Review

So many things vary with the seasons that such an annual cycle might have another explanation.

The Economist

Our snowpack holds about 30percentt of the water that we use over an annual cycle.

University of California, Berkeley

For larger areas, the deviation was 3% for an annual cycle.

Journal of Hydrology

Arctic sea ice follows an annual cycle of melting through the warm summer months and refreezing in the winter.

The Guardian

Our region is home to an annual cycle of millions upon millions of fish surging upriver to spawn.

The Guardian - Opinion

Varved deposits are the product of an annual cycle of sedimentation; seasonal changes are responsible for the information.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On an annual cycle, the factory assimilates these raw materials and then pumps out vast quantities of fish.

The New York Times

Our admissions and funding operate on an annual cycle, with applications due December 1 for students to begin in August.

Cornell University

Greenhouse gas fluxes were measured for an annual cycle on a 123-ha beef-cattle farm in southwestern Manitoba, Canada.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing natural phenomena, use "an annual cycle" to highlight the predictable, year-long sequence of events. For example, "The migration of birds follows an annual cycle."

Common error

Avoid using "an annual cycle" when referring to general trends that aren't necessarily tied to a specific yearly recurrence. Instead of "The company experienced an annual cycle of growth," consider "The company experienced a period of growth."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an annual cycle" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a recurring process or event that occurs once per year. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an annual cycle" is a noun phrase used to describe events or processes that repeat yearly. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It finds its application across various domains, including science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "yearly recurrence" exist, "an annual cycle" is a versatile and widely understood term. Remember to use it when referring to specific yearly repetitions, not just general trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearly recurrence

Replaces "annual" with "yearly" and "cycle" with "recurrence", emphasizing the repetition.

annual repetition

Substitutes "cycle" with "repetition", focusing on the repeated nature of the event.

twelve-month cycle

Replaces "annual" with a more explicit "twelve-month", providing clarity.

year-round pattern

Emphasizes the pattern that occurs throughout the year, rather than the cyclical nature.

seasonal round

Highlights the seasonal aspect of the cycle.

annual rotation

Uses "rotation" to suggest a cyclical movement or progression.

annual sequence

Focuses on the order or succession of events within the year.

yearly circuit

Employs "circuit" to imply a completed course or path within a year.

annual rhythm

Highlights a recurring beat or pace on a yearly basis.

once-a-year event

Shifts the focus to a specific event that happens annually.

FAQs

How can I use "an annual cycle" in a sentence?

You can use "an annual cycle" to describe events or processes that occur once a year or repeat every year, such as "The hibernation of bears is part of "an annual cycle"." or "Crop rotation follows "an annual cycle"."

What's a good substitute for "an annual cycle"?

Alternatives include "yearly recurrence", "annual repetition", or "year-round pattern", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a yearly cycle" instead of "an annual cycle"?

Yes, "a yearly cycle" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "an annual cycle". Both phrases refer to something that occurs or repeats once per year.

What is the difference between "an annual cycle" and "a seasonal cycle"?

"An annual cycle" refers specifically to events or processes that complete within a year. "A seasonal cycle" refers to changes related to seasons (e.g., spring, summer, autumn, winter) and can be part of the broader "an annual cycle".