in the last several years

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the last several years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to adequately describe a period of time that has spanned over a few years. For example: "In the last several years, the company has experienced significant growth and has opened several new offices around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Severe weather conditions in the last several years have also hampered production.

HuffPost

Homicide has reached epidemic proportions in the last several years.

University of Pennsylvania

In the last several years, it has barely exceeded zero.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dozens of parks have sprouted in the last several years.

The New York Times

It has grown a lot in the last several years".

The New York Times

But in the last several years a lot has changed".

The New York Times

In the last several years, Ms. Postell's behavior has improved.

The New York Times

That's only changed in the last several years.

The New York Times

In the last several years, it has made some strides.

The New York Times

This number has increased dramatically in the last several years, leading to qualitatively new investigations.

Current Opinion in Chemical Biology

And he's become more socially conservative, especially in the last several years.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the last several years", ensure it's clear which period you are referring to. If specific years are relevant, consider mentioning them for clarity.

Common error

Don't use "in the last several years" without providing context. Readers should easily understand the timeframe being discussed; otherwise, the phrase becomes too ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the last several years" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It specifies a timeframe relative to the present, indicating when an action or state occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

27%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the last several years" is a common and correct way to refer to a recent period spanning multiple years. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse sources, especially in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While versatile, it's important to provide enough context to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity. Alternatives like "in recent years" or "over the past few years" may offer slight variations in emphasis, but the basic meaning remains consistent. Be aware of using it on more formal contexts

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In recent years

Focuses on the recent nature of the period, emphasizing the newness of events.

Over the past few years

Highlights the passage of time, framing events as having occurred during that period.

During the last several years

Replaces 'in' with 'during', emphasizing that events happened within that timeframe.

For the past several years

Emphasizes the duration of time leading up to the present.

In the preceding years

Uses 'preceding' to refer to the years before the present.

Throughout the last few years

Highlights the continuity of events occurring over the period.

In the course of recent years

More formal and emphasizes the unfolding of events during this time.

Within the last several years

Emphasizes that events occurred inside the specified timeframe.

Since a few years ago

Expresses a starting point in the past from which recent events have unfolded.

In the immediately preceding years

Highlights the proximity to the current time.

FAQs

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

You can use "in the last several years" to describe trends, changes, or events that have occurred over a period of a few years. For example, "In the last several years, there has been a significant increase in remote work."

What are some alternatives to saying "in the last several years"?

Alternatives include "in recent years", "over the past few years", or "during the last several years". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more precise to say "in the last few years" rather than "in the last several years"?

While both are acceptable, "in the last few years" might suggest a slightly shorter timeframe than "in the last several years". However, the difference is minimal and depends on context.

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

"In the last several years" focuses on a period in the past, while "for the last several years" emphasizes the duration leading up to the present. For example, "In the last several years, the company has expanded" describes a period. "For the last several years, the company has been expanding" emphasizes ongoing expansion.