an intense year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an intense year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a year that was filled with significant events, challenges, or emotions. Example: "After reflecting on everything that happened, I can confidently say that 2020 was an intense year for all of us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"It's been an intense year of warfare," he said.

The New York Times

"It had been an intense year, with lots of untethering in the world," Mr. Coburn said.

The New York Times

These two events set the context for an intense year of diplomacy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What followed was an intense year and a half of working through the master's lessons.

The New Yorker

Our friend had suffered from an intense year of grief, nightmares and depression.

The New York Times

"2016 was an intense year for people of color," says Spring, who is of Panamanian and Puerto Rican descent.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

To keep their footing on this shifting terrain — that is, to keep scaring people and making money from it — Universal's fright makers have turned to an intense, year-round planning and construction regimen.

The New York Times

Yet as those assembling here try to reinvigorate the relevance of Dr. King's legacy, they may have difficulty drowning out the background noise generated by an intense year-long re-examination of the assassination itself.

The New York Times

The action, first reported today by BuzzFeed, follows an intense year-long campaign by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), though the agency says it is ending the experiments for purely financial reasons.

Science Magazine

But that didn't matter to our boy Bora, because his plan was to hide them away in Southern California for an intense year-and-a-half training camp.

Vice

"It was a very intense year, including Evan's birth.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an intense year", provide context to clarify what made the year intense. Specify the events, emotions, or challenges that contributed to its intensity to give the reader a clearer understanding.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a year was "intense" without providing supporting details. Without specific examples, the adjective loses its impact and becomes a vague generalization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an intense year" functions as a noun phrase, where "intense" modifies the noun "year". As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and is used to describe a year characterized by significant events, emotions, or challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an intense year" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a year characterized by significant events, strong emotions, or considerable challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. For maximum impact, provide specific details about what made the year intense. Consider alternatives like "a challenging year" or "an eventful year" to tailor your writing to the specific nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging year

Focuses on the difficulty and demands of the year.

a demanding year

Highlights the high requirements and pressure of the year.

a busy year

Emphasizes the high level of activity and engagement during the year.

an eventful year

Stresses the occurrence of many significant events during the year.

a significant year

Indicates the importance and impact of the year.

a transformative year

Focuses on the year's capacity to cause fundamental changes.

a remarkable year

Highlights the year's noteworthy and unusual qualities.

a year of upheaval

Emphasizes disruption and instability during the year.

a year of change

Highlights the transitions and alterations that occurred during the year.

a testing year

Stresses the trials and challenges experienced throughout the year.

FAQs

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

You can use "an intense year" to describe a period marked by significant events, challenges, or emotional experiences. For example, "After the company merger, it was "an intense year" for everyone involved".

What are some alternatives to saying "an intense year"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a challenging year", "a demanding year", or "an eventful year".

Is it more appropriate to say "a intense year" or "an intense year"?

It is grammatically correct to say "an intense year". The indefinite article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What makes "an intense year" different from "a difficult year"?

"An intense year" suggests a year filled with heightened emotions, activity, or pressure, while "a difficult year" primarily emphasizes challenges and hardships. "Intense" encompasses a broader range of experiences beyond just difficulty.