an outstanding year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an outstanding year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a year that has been exceptionally good or successful in some context, such as personal achievements, business performance, or events. Example: "After reflecting on our progress, I can confidently say that 2022 was an outstanding year for our company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"They've had an outstanding year.

The New York Times - Sports

Williams has had an outstanding year, by any account.

The New Yorker

"He's had an outstanding year," Manager Terry Collins said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Pinault said 2010 had been an "outstanding" year, and 2011 would be even better.

The New York Times

"On balance, you have to say it was an outstanding year for Jose," Alderson said.

The New York Times - Sports

And after an outstanding year, Nicki Minaj beat off stiff competition for Best International Act.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Ms. Craig soon racked up a promotion, an Employee of the Month award, an outstanding year-end evaluation and written praise for her hard work and cooperative attitude.

The New York Times

Some of his finest work, possibly in collaboration with the designer Daniel Marot, was for King William III and Queen Mary II; examples include an outstanding year-going spring clock and a highly complicated traveling clock.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their absence marred an otherwise outstanding year for the city's subsidised theatres, the Playhouse and the Everyman - perhaps less for Pete Postlethwaite's return in a perplexing King Lear than for two enjoyable musicals that celebrated Liverpool's seminal punk club Eric's and the infamous Adelphi Hotel.

The Guardian

After a few outstanding years with the Xerox, I found that I was passionate about working in college athletics.

Huffington Post

If Washington, D.C., is not too far, then he might consider American University, which has an outstanding freshman year program.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an outstanding year", provide specific examples or details to support why the year was exceptional. This adds credibility and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "an outstanding year" as a generic compliment. Make sure that you can actually justify the use of the phrase with objective data or clear examples.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an outstanding year" functions as a noun phrase, where "outstanding" is an adjective modifying the noun "year". According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. This structure allows it to act as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Lifestyle

2%

Books

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an outstanding year" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a year characterized by significant success or achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and applicable in various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and business. While versatile, it's important to provide specific details to justify its use and avoid overuse. Alternative phrases include "a remarkable year" or "a banner year". By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing to highlight periods of exceptional accomplishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remarkable year

Replaces "outstanding" with "remarkable", suggesting a year worthy of attention due to its exceptional qualities.

an exceptional year

Substitutes "outstanding" with "exceptional", highlighting the year's deviation from the norm.

a banner year

Uses "banner" to describe the year, implying it was particularly successful or celebratory.

a stellar year

Replaces "outstanding" with "stellar", suggesting a year that shone brightly in terms of achievement.

a landmark year

Indicates the year was a significant turning point or milestone.

a groundbreaking year

Suggests the year involved innovative or revolutionary achievements.

a successful year

Replaces "outstanding" with "successful", focusing on positive outcomes and accomplishments.

a fruitful year

Emphasizes the productive and rewarding nature of the year.

a victorious year

Highlights the year's triumphs and wins.

an unprecedented year

Indicates the year was unique and without prior parallel in terms of achievements or events.

FAQs

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

You can use "an outstanding year" to describe a period marked by significant achievements, such as, "The company reported that 2024 was "an outstanding year" due to record sales.".

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a remarkable year", "an exceptional year", or "a banner year" to convey a similar meaning.

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

Yes, "an outstanding year" is suitable for formal writing. It is commonly used in business reports, academic papers, and news articles to describe periods of significant success or achievement.

What makes "an outstanding year" different from "a good year"?

"An outstanding year" implies a level of success or achievement that goes beyond what is typically considered 'good'. It suggests exceptional performance or results, while 'a good year' simply suggests a satisfactory one.