during the years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'during the years' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of something occurring or happening over a period of time. Example: My family has lived in this house during the years since I was a small child.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fitzroy, R. N., during the years 1832 to 1836.

Cornell University

The number of the articles is increased during the years.

Journal of Oncological Sciences

It stood fading during the years of my childhood.

The New Yorker

Skolimowski has gone back and forth during the years.

The Guardian - Film

"Research and development must continue during the years of restrictions".

Independent

We have been collecting many old furniture during the years.

The New York Times

For example, there are only a few solar observations during the years 1736 1739.

Advances in Space Research

A preceptor Handbook was authored by the preceptor group during the years 2000-2004.

Harvard University

Clark's own research and publication during the years of his Berkeley professorship were formidable.

University of California, Berkeley

Statement of the progress of the geological survey of California during the years 1872­3.

University of California, Berkeley

However, during the years 1930 , 1931and 1932 I gradually came nearer to the Party.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during the years" to describe trends, changes, or consistent actions happening across a specific time frame. For example, "During the years of economic boom, the city experienced significant growth."

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying the years or period you're referring to. Instead of saying "During the years, technology advanced rapidly", provide context: "During the years 1990-2000, technology advanced rapidly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the years" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It establishes a temporal context, indicating when an action occurred or a condition existed. Ludwig shows many examples of its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during the years" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that specifies a timeframe. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of contexts, including academic, scientific, and journalistic writing. While highly flexible and suitable for a range of topics, you must ensure that the years or period being referenced is clearly defined in order to prevent misunderstandings. Alternatives include phrases like "over the years" and "throughout the years", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throughout the years

This alternative emphasizes a continuous action or state over a period.

over the years

This alternative highlights the cumulative effect or changes occurring as time passes.

in the intervening years

This emphasizes the period between two specific points in time.

across the years

This option suggests a broader, less defined period.

in the course of years

This is a slightly more formal and literary alternative.

during that time

Focuses on a specific, previously mentioned period.

through the passage of years

Emphasizes the flow and progression of time.

as years passed

Highlights the continuous movement of time.

in subsequent years

Refers to years that follow a specific point in time.

over a period of years

This alternative specifies a duration, rather than the entire scope of years.

FAQs

How can I use "during the years" in a sentence?

You can use "during the years" to describe events, trends, or changes that occur over a period. For example, "During the years of the war, many people faced hardship."

What are some alternatives to "during the years"?

Alternatives include "over the years", "throughout the years", or "in the intervening years", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "during the years" or "in the years"?

"During the years" implies a continuous period where something occurred, while "in the years" suggests specific years within a broader timeframe. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "during the years" and "over the years"?

"During the years" focuses on the events or conditions present within a certain period, while "over the years" emphasizes changes or developments that happened gradually as time passed. The nuance lies in the perspective of continuity versus change.