in these two years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in these two years" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "I have learned a lot about myself in these two years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"What happened in these two years, as we see it now, is a complete destruction of everything we built".

The New York Times

In my opinion the question of what Rouhani did in these two years is too convenient a question.

The Guardian

In these two years, The New York Times Company has been transformed, shedding most of the assets that once made it a diversified corporation.

The New York Times

Although the United States trade deficit with Japan is nearly 45percentt of the total deficit, it was reduced by only 9percentt in these two years.

The New York Times

There were two serious outbreaks of armyworms in 1991 and 2002, and the precipitation in May and during the growing season were much higher in these two years.

Nature

No?" Not for the first time in these two years did he feel an eggshell thinness behind which he crouched and which Joan needed only to raise her voice to break.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The years 1999 and 2000 were chosen as arthritis patients in these two year cohorts would have formed the potential target population for rofecoxib.

BMC Public Health

Did Shakespeare travel in Europe during these two years?

The Guardian

Let's see what happens in these six years.

The Washington Post

I'd say that, in these five years, Italy was in crisis.

The New York Times

"It's absolutely incredible to see where we have come in these four years," Peaty said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in these two years", ensure the context clearly defines which two-year period you are referring to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "in these two years" when referring to a period that is not yet complete or is entirely in the future. Use "in the next two years" or "over the next two years" instead to indicate a future timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in these two years" functions as a prepositional phrase, specifically an adverbial phrase of time. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying when something occurred. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is commonly used to provide a temporal context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

58%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in these two years" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that specifies a timeframe, predominantly in scientific and journalistic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and useful for providing temporal context in writing. While it has a neutral register, it is crucial to ensure clarity by explicitly defining the two-year period to which you are referring. For alternative expressions, consider options like "over the past couple of years" or "during the last two years", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the last two years

Similar to the original, but emphasizes the 'last' aspect.

in the prior two years

More formal alternative to "in the last two years".

over the past couple of years

Focuses on the duration and recency of the two-year period.

across those two years

Emphasizes a period spanning two years.

in the preceding two years

More formal; emphasizes the period leading up to a specific point.

throughout the two-year span

Similar to 'across', but emphasizes the continuity of the period.

in the course of those two years

Suggests that something developed or happened during the period.

within the two-year timeframe

Highlights that events occurred inside a defined period.

over a two-year duration

Emphasizes the length of the period being discussed.

for a couple of years now

Focuses on the ongoing nature of something lasting for two years.

FAQs

How can I use "in these two years" in a sentence?

You can use "in these two years" to refer to a specific two-year period that is relevant to the context of your sentence. For example, "The company has seen significant growth "in these two years" because of its innovative marketing strategies."

What's a more formal alternative to "in these two years"?

A more formal alternative to "in these two years" is "in the preceding two years" or "in the prior two years". These options are better suited for academic or professional writing.

How does "in these two years" differ from "over the past two years"?

"In these two years" refers to a specific, defined two-year period, whereas "over the past two years" refers to the two years immediately preceding the present time. The choice depends on whether you are discussing a specific period or the most recent two years.

Can I use "in these two years" to talk about the future?

No, "in these two years" is used to refer to a period in the past or present. To refer to a future two-year period, you would use phrases like "in the next two years" or "over the next two years".