following two years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "following two years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the two years that come after a specific point in time or event. Example: "The project will be evaluated in the following two years to assess its impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Other subjects will be replaced over the following two years.

The Guardian

These must normally be spent in the following two years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

SSE warned it will get tougher to achieve increases in earnings in the following two years.

The Guardian - Business

But it expects those numbers to rise sharply in the following two years.

The New York Times

The design of the Stars and Bars varied over the following two years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Adams remained the central figure of the Continental Congress for the following two years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But in the following two years, Old Virginia has roared back.

The New York Times

The figure for the following two years was yet to be filled in.

The New York Times

The stimulus package, announced in November, promised 4 trillion yuan, or $585 billion, in spending over the following two years.

The New York Times

The Bank continues to expect global economic activity to grow modestly in 2013 before strengthening over the following two years.

The Guardian - Business

Over the following two years the anti-abuse commission has seen attempt after attempt to undermine it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "following two years", ensure the context clearly establishes the starting point to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "Sales increased in the following two years", specify "Following the product launch in 2023, sales increased in the following two years."

Common error

Avoid using "following two years" without a clear reference point. Saying "The company expanded in the following two years" is vague. Instead, specify "The company expanded in the following two years, after the initial investment in 2023".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following two years" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, specifying a time frame succeeding a specific point. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "following two years" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a period of two years after a given point. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a prepositional phrase to provide temporal context. It is versatile across various registers, being common in neutral and formal communications, particularly in news, encyclopedias, science, and business. While sources like The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ the phrase, clarity is paramount: always ensure the reference point is clear to avoid ambiguity. Using alternatives like "subsequent biennium" can enhance formality, but directness is key to effective communication. This phrase is generally free of errors and can be easily integrated into almost any writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the two years after

Direct and simple, focusing on temporal sequence.

the after two years

Directly indicates the period succeeding a specific timeframe, albeit slightly less common in usage.

next couple of years

More casual and implies a less precise timeframe.

ensuing two years

Slightly more formal, highlighting the consequence or result.

subsequent biennium

More formal and emphasizes a period of two years.

the subsequent 24 months

More precise, using months instead of years.

the two years thereafter

More formal, emphasizing the time that follows.

the coming two years

Similar to 'next couple of years', but with a slightly more formal tone.

in the wake of two years

Emphasizes events that happened after a period of time.

the approaching two years

Focuses on anticipation of the coming time period.

FAQs

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

Use "following two years" to refer to a period of two years after a specific event or time. For example, "After the merger, the company restructured in the following two years".

What is a more formal alternative to "following two years"?

A more formal alternative is "subsequent biennium", especially in official reports or academic writing. However, ensure the context warrants such formality.

Is there a difference between "following two years" and "next two years"?

While similar, "following two years" usually implies a specific starting point has already been mentioned, while "next couple of years" is more general and forward-looking from the current time.

Can I use "in the following two years" and "during the following two years" interchangeably?

Yes, "in the following two years" and "during the following two years" are often interchangeable. Both indicate that something happens within that two-year period. For example, "Improvements were made in the following two years" or "Improvements were made during the following two years".