governing years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "governing years" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear in meaning.
It could be used in contexts discussing the years during which a particular government or administration was in power. Example: "The governing years of the administration were marked by significant policy changes and reforms."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Texas alternates election years with governing years, with legislative sessions set in the odd-numbered years after voters choose their leaders.

The New York Times

What riles is the record of indulging views of Labour's governing years as a time of moral decay; more corruption than enactment of left principle.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once one of the most popular leaders in Latin America, the red beret-wearing anti-imperialist had luck on his side for most of his governing years.

Forbes

From his first moment in the national spotlight and throughout his governing years, Obama tried to convince us there was only a United States of America.

Los Angeles Times

This photograph and the film might well be part of a wider shift in the way we remember her governing years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But final rules governing future years will be issued in the coming months.

The New York Times

His promotion has been years in the making, and many in the party have been quietly pressing him to take a more active role in governing for years.

The New York Times

Mr. Ould Daddah became Mauritania's first president in 1961 and was re-elected three times, governing 17 years before being ousted in a coup in 1978.

The New York Times

On March 30th the head of Action for Children, a charity, set out the conclusions of a review she led, at the government's behest, of the rules governing early-years education.

The Economist

And they began facing what could be their biggest challenge yet: Figuring out how to govern after years of being in the opposition.

The New York Times

But this country hasn't been governed for years.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "governing years", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific period of governance you're referring to, such as a particular administration or leader's time in power.

Common error

Avoid using "governing years" in ambiguous contexts where it's unclear which entity's governance is being discussed; specify the government, administration, or individual in question to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "governing years" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a period of time related to governance. The term is used to describe the years during which a particular government or individual holds power. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in discussing political eras and leadership tenures.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "governing years" refers to the period when a specific government or leader is in power. While grammatically acceptable, its usage is relatively rare. Ludwig's examples show it primarily appears in news and media contexts. To enhance clarity, specify the government or individual whose time in power you're referencing. Alternatives like "years in power" or "term of governance" may offer better precision depending on the context. Overall, while correct, "governing years" benefits from careful application to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Years in power

Focuses on the duration of time a government or leader holds authority.

Time in office

Refers to the length of time someone holds an official position.

Term of governance

Highlights the period during which a specific governance is in effect.

Years of rule

Emphasizes the act of governing or controlling a territory or people.

Years of leadership

Focuses on the time span of someone's leadership role.

Administration years

Emphasizes the years during which a particular administration is in charge.

Political era

Highlights a period defined by specific political trends or events.

Governmental period

Refers to a specific time frame when a certain government is in power.

Reign

Implies a monarchical rule, suggesting a period of dominance or influence.

Legislative period

Refers specifically to the years when laws are made and enforced.

FAQs

What does the phrase "governing years" mean?

The phrase "governing years" refers to the period during which a particular government, administration, or individual is in power and exercises authority.

Are there alternatives to using "governing years" in a sentence?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "years in power", "term of governance", or "administration years" depending on the context.

How can I make my usage of "governing years" more precise?

Specify which government, administration, or individual's governance you're referring to; for instance, "the governing years of the Obama administration" or "the governing years of Queen Elizabeth II".

Is "governing years" formal or informal language?

The phrase "governing years" is generally considered neutral to formal language, suitable for news reports, academic papers, and official documents.