approximately two years running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately two years running" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been ongoing for about two years without interruption. Example: "The project has been successful for approximately two years running, demonstrating consistent growth and improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He raced on dirt tracks for approximately three years before running on asphalt ovals the last two years.

The New York Times - Sports

Four years running.

Los Angeles Times

Federal prosecutors claimed the pair split more than $600,000 in the approximately two years (2010 to 2012) their scam was running.

Huffington Post

It commenced in late 1998 and ran for approximately two years.

BMC Health Services Research

ShipitDog I've been a Ukip supporter for approximately two years now.

The Guardian

The Queens plan would offer exhibition space for a period of approximately two years, from 2002-2004.

The New York Times

As the NBH had been running for approximately three years, the NBH commissioned our research unit to evaluate callers' satisfaction and experiences with its service.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

This 'virtual' center comprises 10 partners at various locations around the country, and is anticipated to run for approximately five years.

Fuel Cells Bulletin

And since the cap-and-trade bills before Congress include so many offsets, these programs could be run for approximately twenty years while relying on reductions only from these offsets.

Huffington Post

The difference for women is approximately seven years.

The Guardian

The American newspaper has been around for approximately three hundred years.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "for about two years continuously" to enhance clarity and readability, especially in less formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "approximately two years running" to describe events that occurred sporadically over two years. This phrase is best suited for situations where something has been consistently happening without breaks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately two years running" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the duration and continuity of an action or state. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct, though not very common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approximately two years running" is used to indicate that something has been ongoing continuously for about two years. Although grammatically correct, Ludwig AI analysis shows that it's not a very common expression. More common alternatives include "for about two years continuously" or "nearly two years straight". While acceptable, ensure the context warrants emphasizing the continuous nature of the duration. The phrase can be found in News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about two consecutive years

Replaces "approximately" with "about" and uses "consecutive" to emphasize the uninterrupted nature.

around two years in a row

Uses "around" instead of "approximately" and "in a row" to indicate the sequential occurrence.

roughly two straight years

Substitutes "approximately" with "roughly" and "running" with "straight" to maintain a similar meaning.

nearly two years consecutively

Employs "nearly" for approximation and "consecutively" to highlight the unbroken sequence.

almost two full years straight

Uses "almost" for approximation and includes "full" and "straight" to add emphasis to the duration.

in the ballpark of two years straight

Utilizes a more idiomatic expression, "in the ballpark of", for approximation.

close to two years consecutively

Replaces "approximately" with "close to" and retains "consecutively" for continuity.

in the vicinity of two years running

Replaces "approximately" with the more formal phrase "in the vicinity of".

for about a two-year stretch

Uses "for about a" and describes it as a "stretch" of time.

for approximately two years straight

Swaps the position of "approximately" and "two years" while adding "straight" for emphasis on unbroken duration

FAQs

How can I use "approximately two years running" in a sentence?

You can use "approximately two years running" to describe something that has been happening continuously for around two years. For example, "The company has shown increased profits for approximately two years running".

What can I say instead of "approximately two years running"?

You can use alternatives like "about two consecutive years", "nearly two years straight", or "for about two years continuously" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "for approximately two years" or "approximately two years running"?

"For approximately two years" is generally more common and widely understood. "Approximately two years running" emphasizes the continuous nature of the event but is less frequently used.

What does "approximately two years running" emphasize?

"Approximately two years running" emphasizes the uninterrupted continuation of something over a period of roughly two years. It highlights that the event or situation has been ongoing without a break.