better than two years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better than two years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing a duration of time to indicate that something has lasted longer than two years. Example: "The project has been ongoing for better than two years, showcasing our commitment to its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"No question, the mood is better than two years ago," Mr. Payne said.

The New York Times

"The average person's situation is much better than two years -- or even several months -- ago".

The New York Times

It may not be ideal, but this year is better than last, which is better than two years before".

The New York Times

"We played much better than two years ago in Rome [when they beat United 2 0]," he said, "and against a superb team that have also improved".

The Guardian - Sport

I think I'm serving much better than two years ago or at the beginning of this year.

BBC

Since the study by Kerem et al, 3 two other North American studies from the late 1990s have suggested that the median survival of patients with a forced expiratory volume in one second below 30% predicted is better than two years, showing survival of at least 3.9 years in their centres.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The plebiscite may not be the pathway many people want to change the law, but now is better than three years, and resolution is better than stagnation".

The Guardian

"Two years at 7 Tev," he wrote in an e-mail message, referring to the total collision energy, "is not that much better than seven years at 2 Tev, which we already have in the can.

The New York Times - Science

"I have had a lot of patients who are nine years out and still performing as well if not better than nine years ago," Philippon said Tuesday in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

Mr. Peto said he thought the results of the Atlas study would "apply to endocrine therapy in general," meaning that 10 years of an aromatase inhibitor would be better than five years.

The New York Times - Health

"On the whole, I'm singing better than twenty years ago," Daltrey says — although he takes precautions with certain notes, like the climactic high E on "Love, Reign O'er Me," the ballad that ends "Quadrophenia".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing durations, ensure that the context is clear. For example, "The software performed better than it did two years ago" clearly shows improvement over a specific past period.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the reference point. Saying something is "better than two years" without a clear comparison can confuse the reader. For example, specify what you are comparing to that two-year period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than two years" functions as an adjectival phrase used for comparison. It modifies a noun by indicating that the noun is superior or improved compared to its state two years prior, as demonstrated in examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "better than two years" is a grammatically correct way to express a comparison with a state from two years prior. Ludwig AI indicates its usability in various contexts, particularly news and media. It's important to maintain clarity by specifying the subject of comparison to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "more than two years" can be used for stating durations without comparison. Remember to ensure your writing remains clear and contextualized when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than two years

Uses a more direct quantifier to indicate a longer duration.

over two years

A simpler way to express a period exceeding two years.

exceeding two years

More formal phrasing to convey a duration longer than two years.

longer than two years

Explicitly states the comparison of the duration.

at least two years

Indicates a minimum duration of two years, possibly longer.

two years or more

Highlights the possibility of the duration being exactly two years or longer.

in excess of two years

More formal, emphasizing that the duration is significantly longer than two years.

beyond two years

Focuses on the point of exceeding the two-year mark.

past the two-year mark

Emphasizes reaching a specific point in time.

for a period longer than two years

A more descriptive and emphatic way to state the extended duration.

FAQs

How can I use "better than two years" in a sentence?

You can use "better than two years" to compare the current state of something to its state from two years ago. For example, "The company's performance is "better than two years" ago."

What's a more direct way to say "better than two years"?

Alternatives include "more than two years" or "over two years". These options are less comparative and more descriptive of the time period.

Is it always necessary to be so specific when using "better than two years"?

No, but clarity is key. If the context makes the comparison obvious, it's fine. However, specifying the reference point eliminates potential confusion. For instance, saying "our sales are "better than two years" suggests a clear improvement over the past two years." Specifying what has improved adds extra clarity and context.

When is it more appropriate to use "more than two years" instead of "better than two years"?

Use "more than two years" when you simply want to state a duration. Use "better than two years" when you're comparing something's current state to its state from two years prior. The nuance lies in whether you are comparing or simply stating a duration.