by around two years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by around two years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a time difference or approximation in years. Example: "The project completion date was delayed by around two years due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In the UK for instance, longevity is rising by around two years a decade but so, too, is the gap between the life expectancy of so-called manual and non-manual workers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The story of Bletchley Park still piques interest many years after the last code-breaker put down their multi-coloured pen, and not just because of the impact cryptanalysis had on World War II, shortening it by around two years.

The Guardian

Whatever the truth, Langner estimates that it delayed Iran's nuclear project by around two years - no less than any air strike was expected to achieve - at a relatively small cost of around $10 million.

BBC

A 14 year study covering 48 dogs by food manufacturer Purina showed that Labradors fed to maintain a lean body shape outlived those fed freely by around two years, emphasising the importance of not over-feeding.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Life expectancy for men has risen by around eight years since 1994.

The Economist

Small dogs have reached their full height and length by around one year of age, but large and especially giant breed dogs may take until they are 18 months to 2 years old.

WikiHow

The society, which dates back to 1893, has allegedly been rocked by conflict for around two years, and the tensions bubbled over at the group's latest annual general meeting on Saturday.

Huffington Post

The couple carried on communication by phone and online for around two years.

Vice

Previous estimates of the sex difference in life expectancy caused by biological factors amount to around two years at birth [ 50, 51], to maximum two years at age 25 [ 52], or, more generally, to approximately 25% when the sex difference in life expectancy is between 1.5 and 6 years [ 7].

BioMed Research International

Similarly, overall, knowledge about ART was poor with only 16% of men, 10% of women and 18% of HIV-infected persons having good knowledge about its availability and use, despite the fact that the population had had access to the government's free VCT and ART programme for around two years by the time of the survey.

BMC Public Health

By the time graduation rolled around five years later—he spent a year benched as a redshirt freshman—he was an All-American and had qualified for three majors as an amateur: the 2009 U.S. Open, the 2010 Masters and the 2010 U.S. Open.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When estimating durations, use "by around two years" to convey an approximate increase or decrease. This indicates the figure isn't exact, but a close estimate. This phrase is better suited when the context doesn't demand complete precision.

Common error

Avoid using "by around two years" when precise data is available. Using an approximation when exact figures are known undermines credibility. In such cases, provide the exact duration for accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by around two years" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the extent of a change or difference in time. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it quantifies a delay, increase, or decrease in duration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by around two years" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate an approximate duration of time, specifically when expressing how much something has increased or decreased. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in news, science, and wiki contexts, suggesting a neutral register. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "approximately two years". Remember to avoid using approximations when precise data is available, to ensure accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately two years

Replaces "around" with a more formal synonym for approximation.

roughly two years

Uses a different adverb of approximation, conveying a similar level of precision.

about two years

Simplifies the phrase by removing "around", slightly reducing the emphasis on approximation.

in the vicinity of two years

Introduces a more formal and less common way to express approximation.

in the neighborhood of two years

Uses a colloquial idiom to indicate an approximate duration.

a span of about two years

Focuses on the duration as a "span", adding a slightly different nuance.

a period of roughly two years

Similar to 'a span of', but uses "period" to emphasize the duration.

two years or so

Uses a more casual expression to indicate an approximate duration.

close to two years

Emphasizes that the duration is near two years, but potentially slightly less or more.

almost two years

Indicates the duration is slightly less than two years.

FAQs

How can I use "by around two years" in a sentence?

You can use "by around two years" to indicate an approximate duration or timeframe. For example, "The project was delayed "by around two years" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What is a more formal alternative to "by around two years"?

A more formal alternative would be "approximately two years" or "in the vicinity of two years". These options provide a similar meaning but with a more professional tone.

Is it correct to say "increased by around two years"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "increased "by around two years"" suggests an approximate increase in a specific time period or duration.

What's the difference between "by around two years" and "exactly two years"?

"By around two years" implies an estimation or approximation, whereas "exactly two years" indicates a precise and accurate duration.