in those years

USAGE SUMMARY

'in those years' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular period of time. For example: "In those years, the economy boomed and unemployment was at an all-time low."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

West in those years.

The New York Times

In those years, anyway.

The New Yorker

The community was small in those years.

The New York Times

Not in those years!

The New York Times - Sports

"In those years they generally can't drive.

The New York Times

It wasn't brought up in those years".

The Guardian - Opinion

We kept surging in those years.

The Washington Post

"I was very prolific in those years..

The Guardian - Books

In those years, race roiled the city.

The New York Times

I lost my confidence in those years".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In those years the state turns purple.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in those years", ensure the timeframe is clear to the reader, either through previous context or explicit dates.

Common error

Avoid using "in those years" without first establishing which years you are referring to. Without context, the phrase becomes meaningless.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in those years" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action or state occurred. It provides a temporal context, indicating that something happened during a previously mentioned or understood period. Ludwig AI validates its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in those years" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adverbial phrase used to situate events within a specified timeframe. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves primarily to provide temporal context and establish relationships between events, particularly in news and media. To ensure clarity, always make sure the timeframe referenced is clearly defined or understood by the reader. While relatively neutral in register, alternatives such as "back then" offer a more informal tone, while "in former times" adds formality. By following these guidelines, you can effectively integrate "in those years" into your writing to enhance precision and coherence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during that period

Replaces "years" with "period", offering a more general timeframe.

during those times

Uses the plural "times" to emphasize the period being referenced.

back then

Uses a simpler, more informal expression to refer to a past time.

at that time

Similar to "during that period", but focuses on a specific point in time rather than a duration.

throughout those years

Highlights the continuous nature of the activity or state during the specified period.

in that era

Substitutes "years" with "era", suggesting a broader historical context.

during the aforesaid years

Emphasizes that the years in question have been previously mentioned or defined.

in the past

A very general phrase indicating a time before the present.

in former times

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "in the past".

years ago then

A structure emphasizing the distance in time from the present.

FAQs

How can I use "in those years" in a sentence?

You can use "in those years" to refer to a specific period you've already established. For instance, "The 1920s were a time of great change. "In those years", jazz music became incredibly popular."

What phrases are similar to "in those years"?

Similar phrases include "during that period", "at that time", or "back then", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify the exact years when using "in those years"?

While not always necessary, providing some context or reference point is crucial. If the timeframe isn't clear, consider specifying the years or using a more descriptive phrase.

How does the formality of "in those years" compare to similar phrases?

"In those years" is generally neutral. Phrases like "in former times" are more formal, while "back then" is more informal.