first two years

USAGE SUMMARY

"first two years" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Depending on the context, it can be used to refer to a period of time such as: "He worked hard for the first two years at his job before he realized he was in the wrong career path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

First, two years of drought.

The Economist

sold during its first two years.

The New Yorker

The first two years were hard.

The New York Times - Arts

"My first two years in M.L.S.

The New York Times

Those first two years were incredible".

The Guardian - Music

The first two years are what matters.

The Guardian - Opinion

--Not within the first two years.

The New York Times

"Where was he during his first two years?

The New York Times

Dr. Gordon was director for the first two years.

The New York Times

"Those first two years, there was a lot of pressure.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, in the first two years it did just twice.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "first two years", ensure the context clearly defines what period the phrase is referencing. For example, "the first two years of college" clarifies the time frame.

Common error

Avoid using "first two years" without specifying what the years pertain to, or when the two years started. Without this context, the phrase can be ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first two years" functions primarily as a temporal adjective, modifying a noun (often implied) to specify the initial duration of something. Ludwig AI shows it’s widely used to indicate the starting period in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first two years" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to an initial period of time. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in diverse contexts, from personal experiences to professional milestones. It functions as a temporal adjective, clarifying the beginning phase of a subject. While versatile, clarity is key: always specify what the "first two years" pertain to. Alternatives like "initial biennium" or "early years" can offer nuanced expression, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inaugural two years

Emphasizes the starting nature of the period, suitable for describing the beginning of an initiative or project.

initial biennium

Replaces "first two years" with more formal language, specifying a period of two years.

premiere couple of years

Highlights the starting nature of the period, suitable for describing the beginning of an initiative or project using more casual language.

opening 24 months

Focuses on the duration in months rather than years, specifying the initial period.

the first 24 months

States the period more explicitly in terms of months.

beginning couple of years

Uses a more casual and less precise term ("couple") to indicate approximately two years at the start.

the opening period

Similar to "initial phase" but uses temporal wording.

early years

Highlights that the focus is on the start, but does not provide a specific time frame.

the formative years

Highlights the importance of this period in terms of development or establishment.

the initial phase

Refers to the starting timeframe in a less defined way.

FAQs

How can I use "first two years" in a sentence?

You can use "first two years" to describe a period at the beginning of something, such as "During the "first two years" of his career, he gained valuable experience."

What is another way to say "first two years"?

Alternatives include "initial biennium", "opening 24 months", or "early years", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "the two first years" instead of "first two years"?

While "the two first years" might be understood, the standard and more grammatically correct phrasing is ""first two years"".

What kind of situations is the phrase "first two years" most appropriately used in?

The phrase ""first two years"" is broadly applicable to describe initial periods in many situations, such as work tenures, project timelines, or academic careers.