earlier this year

USAGE SUMMARY

'earlier this year' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time period that is not too far in the past, and has already passed. For example: "I visited my grandparents earlier this year and they gave me a present."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was the summer of 1967.

The New York Times

Trials of this idea are currently under way, one of which should report next year.

The Economist

Last year, during David Cameron's trip to Beijing, the same paper announced that Britain was "just an old European country apt [that is, suitable] for travel and study".

The Guardian - Opinion

This is wrong".

The New York Times

But is this right?

The New York Times

This is probably true.

The New York Times

There is a reason for this.

The New York Times - Sports

It wasn't always like this, of course.

The New York Times - Travel

This list is far from exhaustive.

The Guardian

As an environmentalist, and someone who believes that everyone in this world has a right to a healthy and nutritious diet of their choosing, I could not have chosen a more counter-productive path.

The New York Times

What explains this?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earlier this year" to provide a clear temporal reference within the current calendar year, ensuring your audience understands the timeframe without ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "earlier this year" when referring to events that occurred in previous years. Be specific with the year if the event did not happen in the current calendar year to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier this year" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and understandable temporal marker.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earlier this year" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to denote a period within the current year that precedes the present moment. Ludwig AI validates this, indicating it's suitable for various contexts, especially news and media. While examples are rare, suggesting limited frequency, its function is clear: to provide temporal context without needing specific dates. Alternative phrases like "at the start of this year" or "previously this year" can offer similar meaning depending on context. Understanding the correct usage of "earlier this year" ensures clear communication and avoids ambiguity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier in the current year

Clarifies that the time frame is within the ongoing year.

previously this year

A more general way to say before now in the current year.

at the start of this year

Emphasizes the initial period of the year.

in the early months of this year

Highlights the months closer to the start of the year.

in the first part of this year

Specifies a broader, less precise timeframe.

in the initial months of this year

Refers specifically to the first few months.

since the beginning of the year

Indicates a period from January 1st to the present.

in the opening of this year

Similar to the beginning but implies a start or initiation.

at the top of the year

Informal way of indicating the beginning of the year.

in the first quarter of this year

Refers to the first three months (January to March).

FAQs

How can I use "earlier this year" in a sentence?

You can use "earlier this year" to refer to an event that happened sometime between January 1st and the current date of the present year. For example, "The company launched a new product earlier this year".

What's the difference between "earlier this year" and "last year"?

"Earlier this year" refers to a period within the current year, while "last year" refers to the entire previous calendar year. Using "earlier this year" indicates a timeframe within the ongoing year, while "last year" specifically means the 365 days before January 1st of the present year.

What can I say instead of "earlier this year"?

You can use alternatives like "at the start of this year", "in the first part of this year", or "previously this year" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "earlier this year" at the beginning of the year?

Yes, it's correct, but consider whether greater specificity would be better. For example, instead of "earlier this year", using "last month" or "in January" may provide a clearer timeframe, especially when the event occurred very recently.