annual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "annual" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that occurs once a year, such as events, reports, or meetings. Example: "The company holds its annual meeting every January to discuss financial performance and future goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I expected that some would object to my participation in an annual forum that is largely comprised of softball questions to a leader unaccustomed to being challenged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thanks to energy exports, Kazakhstan is central Asia's most prosperous state, with annual economic growth averaging about 10% for much of the first decade of the new millennium.

The Guardian

Other top executives at Network Rail are entitled to annual performance-related bonuses of up to 20% of salaries.

The Guardian

These costs aren't trivial: a 2001 study showed that the cost of switching a loan came to about a third of the loan's annual interest rate.

The Economist

Last June, the IPCC Fifth Assessment report warned of larger "near-term increases in seasonal mean and annual mean temperatures" in the region.

The Guardian

When sector leaders gather on Thursday at the annual conference of Skills for Care, the workforce development body for adult social care, the talk is likely to be about an even stiffer potential bill, however.

The Guardian

For me the lull before the storm was illustrated by the complacent attitude of the Federal Reserve's vice-chairman Stanley Fischer, in his question and answer session after the annual Per Jacobsson lecture – not least when he dismissed that great central banking veteran Paul Volcker's call for a more structured international financial system.

The Guardian

At the annual conference of his Traditional Unionist Voice party in Belfast last weekend Allister relished the prospect of taking on a political Goliath that has tramped all over the Northern Ireland landscape since the 1970s.

The Guardian

It also follows estimates that the Galilee Basin mines feeding the port would produce enough coal to far outstrip Australia's annual carbon emissions, indicating a climate change contribution of global significance.

The Guardian

According to the Moorland Association, just 10% of moor owners' £52.5m annual spend on land management comes from government subsidies – the rest is private money, brought in by grouse.

The Guardian

But cross-examination of a DfE witness revealed that the free school department's annual administrative budget is £8m.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that happen at specific times of the year, ensure that the context clarifies whether you are referring to a one-time event or a regularly occurring "annual" event.

Common error

Avoid using "annual" interchangeably with "biannual" (twice a year) or "biennial" (every two years). Misusing these terms can lead to confusion about the frequency of events or reports.

Linguistic Context

The word "annual" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something occurs or is calculated once a year. Ludwig AI examples show it describing events like "annual meetings", financial metrics like "annual salary", and reports such as "annual reports".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "annual" is a versatile adjective used to describe events, calculations, and reports that occur once a year. As the numerous examples from Ludwig AI demonstrate, it is grammatically correct and widely employed across diverse contexts, from news and business to scientific and general usage. The word "annual" serves to provide clarity about the frequency of an event. Using alternatives like "yearly" can offer similar meaning, but "annual" is more formal and precise. Ludwig AI confirms that "annual" is a correct and usable term in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearly

Direct synonym; emphasizes the cycle of a year.

once a year

Literal description of the frequency.

every year

Emphasizes the recurring nature of the event.

per annum

Formal and business-oriented term.

each year

Similar to "every year" but can highlight individual instances.

recurring yearly

Highlights the repetitive aspect of the event each year.

seasonal

Implies happening at a specific season each year.

conventional yearly

A traditional event that happens during each year.

customary annual

Related to established customs and traditions around the year.

celebrated yearly

Emphasizes celebrating during each year.

FAQs

How is "annual" used in a sentence?

The word "annual" is used to describe something that occurs once a year, such as "annual reports", "annual meetings", or "annual events".

What can I say instead of "annual"?

You can use alternatives like "yearly", "once a year", or "every year" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "annual event" or "yearly event"?

"Annual event" and "yearly event" are both correct and often interchangeable, but "annual" is generally considered more formal.

What's the difference between "annual" and "perennial"?

"Annual" refers to something that happens once a year, while "perennial" refers to something that lasts for several years or indefinitely. In botany, an annual plant completes its life cycle in one year, whereas a perennial plant lives for more than two years.