by years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by years" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a measurement or comparison of time in terms of years. Example: "The project has improved significantly by years, showing a clear trend of progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Deadlines on deployment kept slipping, by years.

The New York Times

These referral patterns were unaffected by years in practice.

Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus

Crippled by years of mismanagement and debts of more than.

The New York Times

And the NLD has been gutted by years of oppression.

The Economist

That withdrawal was preceded by years of ultimately fruitless diplomacy.

The Economist

It was the voice thickened by years of drinking.

The New York Times

Land lines were destroyed by years of fighting.

The New York Times

It is filtered by years of experience, disillusionment, learning.

The Guardian

But he said that cheerleading passed him by years ago.

The New York Times - Sports

By years 3 and 4, no significant difference among the groups was detected.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

Diagnosis was delayed by years to decades in several patients with Hurler Scheie and Scheie syndromes.

Molecular Genetics and Metabolism

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by years" to describe changes or developments, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being measured or compared over the specified time period.

Common error

Avoid using "in years" when "by years" is more appropriate to indicate a rate or measure of change. "In years" is better suited for indicating a point or period in time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by years" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to indicate the extent or manner in which something changes or is measured over a period of time. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by years" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to quantify or qualify changes and developments over a specified period of time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When using "by years", ensure clarity in what you're measuring, and avoid confusion with similar phrases like "in years". Consider alternative expressions such as "over the years" or "through the years" for nuanced meanings. It appears primarily in News & Media, Science and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the years

Emphasizes the cumulative effect or change occurring throughout a period of years.

in the course of years

Highlights the progression and unfolding of events as time passes.

through the years

Focuses on experiences and developments that occur during a span of years.

across the years

Indicates a perspective that spans multiple years, often retrospective.

with the passing years

Highlights the continuous movement of time and its effects.

as years go by

Simple and direct way to express the continuation of time.

in subsequent years

Refers to years following a specific point in time.

during those years

Specifies a period of time previously mentioned or understood.

throughout that period

Emphasizes a continuous action or state during a defined time frame.

in the intervening years

Focuses on the time between two specific events or points in time.

FAQs

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

You can use "by years" to indicate a measurement or comparison of time in terms of years. For example, "The company's profits have increased "over the years"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "by years"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "over the years", "in the course of years", or "through the years", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in years" instead of "by years"?

While "in years" can refer to a point or period of time (e.g., "in recent years"), "by years" is used to indicate a measurement or comparison across a time span (e.g., "improved by years"). The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What does "by years" mean when describing a process or change?

When describing a process or change, "by years" typically means that the process or change is being evaluated or measured in terms of the number of years it takes or has taken to occur.