an exceptional year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an exceptional year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a year that stands out positively due to significant achievements, events, or experiences. Example: "2020 was an exceptional year for our company, marked by record sales and innovative product launches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was an exceptional year for all my friends – except my friend Vincent.

HuffPost

He is having an exceptional year this year, though.

The New York Times

"It was an exceptional year," Mr. Synge said.

The New York Times - Arts

It's been an exceptional year for sex scandals.

The Guardian

It was already an exceptional year in space.

The Guardian

It has been an exceptional year so far.

Yale University

In an exceptional year for cookbooks, the outstanding volume is (mostly) a re-issue.

Independent

Only Patrick Sharp had an exceptional year among the so-called core players.

The New York Times

Mostafa Hussein, another blogger and activist, pointed out, simply, "2011 is an exceptional year".

The New York Times

Intel's chief executive, Paul S. Otellini, said 2011 was an exceptional year.

The New York Times - Tech

Let's be realistic, this has not been an exceptional year for British sport, like 2012.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an exceptional year", be specific about what made the year exceptional. Provide concrete examples of the achievements or events that justify the description.

Common error

Avoid describing a year as "an exceptional year" without providing supporting evidence. This can weaken your argument and make your writing less persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an exceptional year" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "exceptional" modifies the noun "year". Ludwig AI analysis confirms it is used to describe a specific period distinguished by positive achievements or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

22%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an exceptional year" is a commonly used phrase to describe a period distinguished by positive achievements or noteworthy events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science. While versatile, it's crucial to provide specific details to support the claim that a year was indeed "exceptional", avoiding vague or unsubstantiated assertions. Consider alternatives like "a remarkable year" or "a banner year" to subtly adjust the nuance and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remarkable year

Replaces "exceptional" with "remarkable", emphasizing the noteworthy nature of the year.

an outstanding year

Uses "outstanding" instead of "exceptional", focusing on the superior quality of the year.

a banner year

Employs "banner" to indicate a year of great success and prosperity.

a record-breaking year

Highlights that the year involved setting new records or exceeding previous achievements.

an unprecedented year

Suggests the year was unique and without prior parallel.

a watershed year

Indicates a turning point or significant shift during the year.

a transformative year

Focuses on the year's capacity to bring about significant change.

a momentous year

Emphasizes the importance and historical significance of the year.

a vintage year

Implies a year of high quality, often used in the context of wine or other fine products.

a golden year

Evokes a sense of prosperity, achievement, and overall success.

FAQs

How can I use "an exceptional year" in a sentence?

You can use "an exceptional year" to describe a period marked by significant achievements or noteworthy events. For example, "2024 was "an exceptional year" for scientific breakthroughs."

What are some alternatives to "an exceptional year"?

Alternatives include "a remarkable year", "an outstanding year", or "a banner year", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "an exceptional year" in formal writing?

Yes, "an exceptional year" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when backed by concrete examples and data. However, consider alternatives like "a significant year" in very formal contexts.

What makes a year qualify as "an exceptional year"?

A year qualifies as "an exceptional year" when it significantly exceeds expectations or achieves remarkable results in a particular area, such as business, science, or personal development. This is often indicated by record-breaking achievements, significant positive changes, or unprecedented events.