for some years

USAGE SUMMARY

"for some years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a period of time that may or may not be specified. For example, "She lived in Paris for some years before moving back to her hometown".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For some years, it was.

The New Yorker

For some years the Am.

The New Yorker

This went on for some years.

The New Yorker

That lasted for some years.

The Washington Post

She suffered from emphysema for some years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He had been ill for some years.

The Guardian

Nothing had happened there for some years.

The New York Times - Magazine

For some years, she wore only white.

The Guardian - Arts

Your Questions platform, for some years now.

The Guardian

And I won't be for some years".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He had suffered from frontotemporal dementia for some years.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for some years" when you want to indicate a non-specific period, implying it's more than a couple but not necessarily many. It provides a sense of duration without being exact.

Common error

While "for some years" is acceptable, consider if a more specific timeframe (e.g., "for five years", "for nearly a decade") would improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for some years" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying a duration of time. It indicates that an action or state persisted over a period, as demonstrated by the Ludwig examples. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

24%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for some years" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote a non-specific duration of time, generally longer than a few years. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and encyclopedias. While it's suitable for both formal and informal communication, consider if a more precise timeframe would enhance clarity. Key alternatives include "for a few years" and "over several years". Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its reliability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a few years

Changes the quantifier, indicating a shorter, less defined period.

over several years

Replaces "some" with "several", suggesting a more specific but still indefinite duration.

during those years

Specifies a known or previously mentioned period.

in recent years

Focuses on a period close to the present.

for a period of years

Adds formality by explicitly stating a "period".

for several seasons

Alters the unit of time, implying a recurring pattern.

over the course of years

Highlights the gradual nature of the period.

across the years

Emphasizes the span and continuity through time.

throughout those years

Similar to "during those years", but stresses continuous presence.

in the intervening years

Highlights the period between two events.

FAQs

How do I use "for some years" in a sentence?

"For some years" is typically used to indicate a period of time that is not precisely defined but suggests a duration longer than a couple of years. For example, "She worked in the industry "for some years" before retiring".

What can I say instead of "for some years"?

You can use alternatives like "for a few years", "over several years", or "in recent years", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "for some years" formal or informal?

"For some years" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall context of the writing.

Is it correct to say "for a few year" instead of "for some years"?

No, "for a few year" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "for a few years", with the plural "years" used to match the plural quantifier "few".