in the last few years

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the last few years" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it to refer to something that has been happening or changing in a particular time period. For example, "The average temperature of the planet has increased dramatically in the last few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's been in the last few years.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

SOTOMAYOR: Well, in the last few years?

The Washington Post

You've had several injuries in the last few years.

Princeton University

That has changed in the last few years.

University of California, Berkeley

It's been getting worse in the last few years.

The Guardian

Those conversations have shifted significantly in the last few years.

The New York Times - Sports

In the last few years, cellphone optics have improved substantially.

The New York Times - Tech

In the last few years, care appears to have deteriorated.

The New York Times

"We have grown the business in the last few years.

Independent

In the last few years that has changed.

The Guardian

The refugee crisis has intensified in the last few years.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure that the timeframe is relevant and adds meaningful context to your statement. Avoid using it unnecessarily if the timeframe is not important.

Common error

Avoid using "in the last few years" without a clear connection to the information presented. Make sure the information relates directly to developments or changes that have happened within that timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the last few years" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something occurred. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, showing its role in setting a temporal context for events or trends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the last few years" is a common and grammatically correct way to set a recent timeframe. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used in news, academic, and scientific contexts to discuss recent trends and developments. When using this phrase, ensure that your statements are directly related to the timeframe specified, and consider alternatives like "in recent years" or "over the past few years" for variety. Avoid being too vague and always relate the information to developments that have happened within the specified timeframe. This phrase is valuable for providing context and grounding your writing in recent history.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In recent years

Omits "few" but refers to the same general timeframe.

Over the past few years

Emphasizes the duration leading up to the present.

During the last few years

Highlights events occurring within the specified period.

In the past several years

Uses "several" to indicate a slightly less precise number of years.

Lately

A more concise way to refer to recent times.

In recent times

Broader term which includes events a bit further back than "the last few years".

In the current climate

Focuses on the circumstances that have arisen in recent times.

In this day and age

More general term for contemporary period, less specific.

In the contemporary era

Formal phrasing that refers to our current time.

Of late

A more archaic form, implying recent events.

FAQs

What does "in the last few years" mean?

The phrase "in the last few years" refers to a period encompassing the most recent several years. The exact duration is subjective but typically implies around 3 to 5 years.

How can I use "in the last few years" in a sentence?

You can use "in the last few years" to set the stage for discussing a trend or shift that has occurred recently. For example, "In the last few years, there has been a significant increase in remote work opportunities."

What can I say instead of "in the last few years"?

You can use alternatives like "recently", "in recent years", or "over the past few years" depending on the context.

Is there a more formal way to say "in the last few years"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "in recent years" or "during the past several years". These options provide a similar meaning while maintaining a professional register.