in that year

USAGE SUMMARY

"in that year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific year, usually one that has already been mentioned. For example, "The stock market crashed in 1929, and the country was in a depression in that year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It was founded in that year.

Yale University

Total borrowing was £161.9bn in that year.

The Guardian - Opinion

I didn't act in that year.

The Guardian - Film

I cannot compose now," he wrote in that year.

The Guardian - Music

They still received £34,000 in that year.

The Guardian - Opinion

Savers could earn up to £125 in that year.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

He died in that year, at 82.

The New York Times - Arts

Black unemployment in that year reached nearly 10percentt.

The Washington Post

Losses in that year climbed to $19 million.

Forbes

In that year, he held two jobs.

The New York Times

In that year he was knighted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in that year" to clearly connect an event or situation to a previously mentioned year, avoiding ambiguity. For example, "The company was founded in 1990. In that year, they launched their first product."

Common error

Avoid using "in that year" without a clear prior reference to the year being discussed. If the year is not established in the context, specify the year directly: "In 1995, the project was completed" is better than "The project started in 1993. In that year, it was delayed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in that year" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause by specifying the time frame of an action or event. Ludwig's examples show how it connects events to a previously mentioned year, providing temporal context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

18%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in that year" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a previously mentioned year. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase providing temporal context. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, suitable for news articles, academic papers, and general writing. While alternatives like "during that year" or "that same year" exist, "in that year" is a straightforward and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during that year

Replaces the preposition 'in' with 'during', emphasizing the duration of the year.

that same year

Adds emphasis on the simultaneity of the event with the year previously mentioned.

within that year

Focuses on the event happening inside the boundaries of the specified year.

in the aforementioned year

Formally refers back to a year previously discussed or identified.

during the course of that year

Lengthens the phrase, highlighting the progression of time throughout the year.

at that point in the year

Shifts the focus to a specific moment or period within the year.

that particular year

Emphasizes the uniqueness or significance of the specific year in question.

that specific year

Highlights the year as a defined and precise period.

by that year

Indicates a deadline or a point of completion happening before or during that year.

throughout that year

Stresses continuous action or events happening from the beginning to the end of that year.

FAQs

How can I use "in that year" in a sentence?

Use "in that year" to refer back to a specific year already mentioned in the context. For example, "The treaty was signed in 1998. "In that year", several other international agreements were also made".

What's a formal alternative to "in that year"?

A more formal alternative is "during the aforementioned year", which is suitable for academic or professional writing. For instance, "The study commenced in 2010. During the aforementioned year, significant data was collected".

Can I use "in that year" to start a sentence?

Yes, you can, but ensure it clearly connects to the previous sentence where the year was initially mentioned. Example: "The company faced bankruptcy in 2008. "In that year", it filed for Chapter 11 protection".

Is there a difference between "in that year" and "that year"?

"That year" can sometimes stand alone if the context is very clear. "In that year" adds a slight emphasis on the temporal setting, but they are largely interchangeable. Example: "The band released their first album in 1985. "That year" they went on tour" vs. "The band released their first album in 1985. "In that year", they went on tour".