for years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'for years' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to denote an amount of time that has passed over a prolonged period. For example, "The family has owned this house for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

for years.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Have done for years".

The Economist

But not for years.

The New York Times

"Done it for years.

The New Yorker

I was for years.

The New Yorker

East for years.

The New York Times

For years on end.

Independent

"I saved for years.

The New York Times - Magazine

"For years," she said.

The New Yorker

Maybe for years.

The New York Times

For years, I….

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for years" to describe a continuous state or action that has persisted over a considerable duration. This phrase is suitable when you want to emphasize the length of time something has been happening.

Common error

Avoid using "in years" when you mean "for years". "For years" indicates duration, while "in years" typically refers to a future timeframe or a point within a specific year. For example, say "She has been studying piano for years", not "in years".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for years" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the duration of an action or state. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying the length of time something has occurred, as evidenced by examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for years" is a grammatically sound and exceptionally common way to denote a prolonged duration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a broad range of writing. Predominantly found in "News & Media", it serves to provide temporal context, highlighting the sustained nature of events. Remember to use it to describe continuous states accurately and avoid confusing it with "in years". By following these guidelines, you can confidently and effectively use "for years" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over many years

This alternative uses "over" to emphasize the passage of time across multiple years.

for numerous years

This alternative highlights the quantity of years involved.

for a long time

This is a more general phrase that indicates a significant duration, not specifically quantified in years.

during several years

This option focuses on the occurrence of events within a span of years.

throughout the years

Similar to "across the years", this option emphasizes events happening consistently over a period.

across the years

This phrase evokes a sense of continuity or progression through time.

over the course of years

This alternative highlights the developmental aspect of time passing.

for ages

This is an idiomatic expression suggesting a very long time, though less precise than "for years".

in the past years

This is used to refer to a period of time that has already passed.

for a decade or more

This alternative provides a more specific, albeit minimum, timeframe.

FAQs

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

Use "for years" to describe something that has been happening or existing over a long period. For example, "He has lived in that house "for years"".

What are some alternatives to "for years"?

You can use alternatives like "over many years", "for a long time", or "during several years" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "for years" or "over many years"?

"For years" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. "Over many years" might be perceived as slightly more formal but the difference is minimal.

What's the difference between "for years" and "in recent years"?

"For years" indicates a long, unspecified duration, while "in recent years" refers specifically to the years immediately preceding the present.