an important year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an important year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific year that holds significance or relevance in a particular context, such as historical events, personal milestones, or changes in circumstances. Example: "The year 1969 was an important year in history, marked by the moon landing and significant social movements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet it proved an important year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was undeniably an important year.

The Guardian - Arts

For Blairmore, 2006 was an important year.

The Guardian

It's been an important year for me.

The New York Times

This may be an important year for my future.

The Guardian

It is an important year for Giorgio Armani in Britain.

The Guardian

It was an important year for images too.

The Guardian

Not everyone's choice for such an important year, admittedly.

Independent

For Sickert, 1895 had been an important year.

Independent

2015 has been an important year for the LGBT community.

Independent

He studied art in Baltimore and, for an important year, at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an important year" when you want to emphasize the significance of a particular year due to specific events, developments, or milestones.

Common error

Avoid using "an important year" as a vague statement. Always provide context explaining why the year is significant to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important year" functions as a noun phrase, where "important" modifies the noun "year". It serves to characterize a specific year as being of considerable significance or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms this widespread adjectival usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an important year" is a versatile and frequently used expression to denote a year of considerable significance. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to provide specific context to explain the year's importance, avoiding vague or generalized statements. Alternatives such as "a pivotal year" or "a significant year" can be used to add nuance. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately convey the importance of a year in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pivotal year

Emphasizes the turning point aspect of the year, suggesting a significant change or decision.

a significant year

Highlights the noteworthiness or consequence of the year, without necessarily implying a turning point.

a crucial year

Indicates that the year is critical and decisive for future outcomes.

a landmark year

Suggests the year set a new standard or marked a significant achievement.

a transformative year

Emphasizes the year's role in causing significant change or metamorphosis.

a breakthrough year

Indicates the year was marked by a significant advancement or discovery.

a memorable year

Focuses on the year being worth remembering, possibly due to personal or collective experiences.

a formative year

Highlights the year's influence in shaping character or future development.

a banner year

Implies the year was particularly successful or prosperous.

an eventful year

Focuses on the year being full of notable occurrences or incidents.

FAQs

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

You can use "an important year" to highlight a year that holds significance due to specific events or developments. For example, "2020 was "an important year" for global health due to the COVID-19 pandemic".

What can I say instead of "an important year"?

You can use alternatives like "a pivotal year", "a significant year", or "a crucial year" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "an important year" or "a important year"?

"An important year" is correct. The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an important year" and "a memorable year"?

"An important year" emphasizes the significance or impact of the year, while "a memorable year" focuses on the year being worth remembering, possibly due to personal experiences.