during years

USAGE SUMMARY

"during years" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to say that something happened over a period of years. For example, "We've been discussing this issue during years without any resolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A total of 383 cases occurred during years 0 3 and 488 cases occurred during years 3 6 of follow-up.

Diabetes Care

In part, it is a crisis precipitated by Wall Street lending practices during years of deregulation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Almost all have banks that lent plenty during years of easy money.

The Economist

Coventry found his objects during years of wandering through London thinking about art.

Independent

Those directors also repriced their stock options to benefit themselves during years when the company's stock was low, Calpers said.

The New York Times

Though it is legal to manage money offshore, the practice has drawn increasing criticism during years of enduring austerity.

The Guardian

But having been away from China during years of dizzyingly rapid change made them foreigners there, too.

The New Yorker

She ran the stand for almost three decades, watching over it during years of newspaper strikes and rising crime.

The New York Times

He suffered frequent illnesses, and had poor eyesight and hearing that deteriorated during years in Israeli prisons, he said.

The New York Times

"My parents did not leave the city during years of decay or high crime," he told me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Total antibiotic days were also significantly reduced in Cohort 2 during Years 2 and 3.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during years" to specify a period when changes, events, or conditions occurred. For example: "During years of economic hardship, many families struggled to make ends meet."

Common error

Avoid using "during years" without providing specific context or timeframe. Instead of saying "The city changed during years", specify which years: "The city changed significantly during the years 1980-1990."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during years" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by specifying a time period when an action or state occurred. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during years" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase used to specify a period over which an event or condition occurs. As indicated by Ludwig, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from scientific reports to news articles. When using this phrase, ensure you provide adequate context to avoid vagueness and consider alternatives like "over the years" or "throughout the years" for nuanced expression. With its versatile nature and solid grammatical standing, "during years" remains a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the years

Indicates a span of time, similar to "during years", but with a slightly broader and more general implication.

throughout the years

Emphasizes the continuity of an action or condition across the entire period.

in the intervening years

Highlights the period between two specific points in time.

across the years

Similar to "over the years" but may imply a wider distribution of events.

in the course of years

More formal and emphasizes the gradual development or change over time.

during a period of years

More explicit and descriptive, adding emphasis to the length of the time period.

for several years

Specifies that the duration is more than one year, but without a precise number.

in subsequent years

Focuses on the years that follow a particular event or starting point.

through the passage of years

Emphasizes the progression of time and its impact.

spanning several years

Highlights the duration and range of a process or activity.

FAQs

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

Use "during years" to indicate a period over which something occurs, such as "During years of drought, the river dried up."

What are some alternatives to "during years"?

Alternatives include phrases like "over the years", "throughout the years", or "in the course of years" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "during years" or "over the years"?

"In the course of years" is generally considered more formal, while "over the years" and "during years" are more neutral.

What is the difference between "during years" and "in subsequent years"?

"During years" refers to a general period, while "in subsequent years" specifically refers to the years following a particular event or starting point.