close to two years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to two years" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating a duration that is nearly two years, often in contexts related to time spent on a project, experience, or a relationship. Example: "I have been working at this company for close to two years now, and I have learned so much during this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

He suffered severe night terrors for close to two years.

The New York Times - Science

Mrs. Crouch rented the rooms for close to two years, they said.

The New York Times

Governors have known that this precipice was near for close to two years.

The New York Times

The negotiations come close to two years after Continental broke off an engagement to merge with United.

The New York Times

In 1955, having spent close to two years away from her toddler son, Johnson loosened her grip on baseball.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet sales have risen every month for close to two years, through bad economic weather and good.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

He ended up spending close to three years there.

The Economist

A dear friend of close to fifty years.

The New York Times

"It's been brewing for close to four years.

The New York Times

The entire project took close to six years.

The New York Times

He has been the imam of a mosque in Tribeca for close to thirty years.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to two years" when you want to indicate that a duration is almost, but not exactly, two years. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "close to two years" when a more precise duration is known. If you have the exact number of months or days, it's better to provide that information for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to two years" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating a duration of time. It specifies how long something has occurred or will occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to two years" serves as an adverbial phrase denoting a duration nearing, but not precisely at, two years. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It is particularly frequent in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, and offers a flexible timeframe that balances informality with reasonable precision. While numerous alternatives such as "almost two years" or "nearly two years" exist, "close to two years" provides a versatile option for conveying duration in a variety of settings. It is crucial, however, to opt for more precise figures when available to prevent any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost two years

Indicates a duration very near to, but not quite, two years.

nearly two years

Similar to "almost two years", emphasizing the proximity to the two-year mark.

just under two years

Highlights that the duration is slightly shorter than two years.

approximately two years

Suggests an estimated duration, slightly less precise than "close to two years".

around two years

A simpler and more casual way of indicating a similar duration.

a little less than two years

More descriptive, emphasizing that the time is not quite two years.

approaching two years

Focuses on the duration getting closer to the two-year mark.

in the vicinity of two years

A more formal way of saying "around two years".

nearing the two-year mark

Similar to "approaching two years", but more figurative.

within a couple of years

Indicates a duration that is around two years, but slightly more vague.

FAQs

How can I use "close to two years" in a sentence?

You can use "close to two years" to describe a period that is nearly two years. For example, "The project took close to two years to complete."

What's a more casual way to say "close to two years"?

A more casual alternative is "around two years". For example, "I've been working here "around two years"."

Are "almost two years" and "close to two years" interchangeable?

Yes, "almost two years" and "close to two years" are largely interchangeable and have similar meanings. They both indicate a duration that is nearing two years.

Which is more precise, "close to two years" or "approximately two years"?

"Close to two years" suggests a slightly higher degree of accuracy than "approximately two years", although both are estimates. "Approximately" implies a more general estimation.