during my formative years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during my formative years" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the time in which a person was developing psychologically and physically during their childhood or teenage years. For example, "During my formative years, I developed a passion for writing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

I read too many romance novels during my formative years.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'd have to say my mum; particularly during my formative years.

Independent

Barbara was incredibly influential on my thinking during my formative years.

The New York Times

We lived on 45th Street and 10th Avenue during my formative years.

The New York Times

Here are six things life has taught her: I grew up during the Cultural Revolution, so I lived through that chaotic period during my formative years.

The Guardian

I think it's because during my formative years I was working in the leisure industry, and a lot of that takes place in the evenings.

The Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

I was in my formative years during the Vietnam War.

Huffington Post

"My formative years were during the Rushdie affair and the first Iraq war, so at college I flirted with political Islam and got wrapped up in this fallacy that somehow there is a contradiction between western culture and Islam".

The Guardian

It was a constant struggle [during] my formative years.

Huffington Post

Layney: While I didn't realize it at the time, I was fortunate enough to have experienced diversity in all forms during my formative work years – first with the Organization & Change Strategy practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers and then in the 10 years I spent at Gap Inc.

Forbes

JACKSON BROWNE Mr. Browne's career took off in the 1970s — during my formative music years — with hits like "Running On Empty," "Doctor My Eyes," "The Pretender" and "Rock Me on the Water".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during my formative years" to add depth and context when discussing personal development, influences, or experiences that significantly shaped your character or perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "during my formative years" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "in my youth" or "when I was growing up" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during my formative years" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the time period in which an action or state occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to provide context about personal development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during my formative years" is a common and grammatically correct way to reference a period of significant personal development, typically during childhood and adolescence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, including news, media, and academic writing. Its primary function is to provide background or context, explaining when certain values, beliefs, or skills were developed. While it's appropriate for formal use, remember to diversify your writing by using related phrases like "in my youth" or "when I was growing up" to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in my developing years

Replaces "formative" with "developing", emphasizing the process of growth.

in my childhood and adolescence

Specifies the time frame more explicitly.

when I was growing up

Uses a more common and informal expression for the same period.

during my youth

Replaces "formative years" with the single word "youth".

in my early stages of life

Emphasizes the initial phases of life's development.

in my impressionable years

Highlights the susceptibility to influence during this period.

during the years that shaped me

Focuses on the impact the years had on personal development.

throughout my developmental period

Uses more technical terminology to describe the developmental phase.

in the early part of my life

Offers a simple and direct alternative.

during the time I was maturing

Focuses on the process of maturation during that period.

FAQs

How can I use "during my formative years" in a sentence?

You can use "during my formative years" to describe a period of significant personal growth and influence, such as, "During my formative years, I developed a deep appreciation for the arts."

What are some alternatives to "during my formative years"?

Alternatives include "in my developing years", "when I was growing up", or "in my youth", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "during my formative years" in formal writing?

Yes, "during my formative years" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and widely understood way to refer to the period of childhood and adolescence when significant personal development occurs. However, the alternatives depends on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

What makes the formative years so important?

The formative years are crucial because they are when a person's character, values, and beliefs are significantly shaped by their experiences and environment. These early influences often have a lasting impact on their future development and behavior.