in which year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in which year" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to inquire about a specific year related to an event or situation. Example: "Can you tell me in which year the company was founded?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

When the individual commenced their next paid job (as defined by "in which year did you start your next paid job?", question RE011_1-20), the NW indicator became 0 and they were no longer classified as 'not working'.

BMC Public Health

In which year was said grandfather born?

Independent

Scary Movies 11 In which year did Boris Karloff make his screen debut as Frankenstein's monster?

Independent

Moving right along: in which year was vacancy decontrol enacted? A. 1997.

The New York Times

He's had that job since 1932, in which year he also began his career as screwy commentator.

The New Yorker

I couldn't have told you which tracks were on which album and which album was recorded in which year.

The Guardian - Opinion

The show ran until 1956, in which year Joy represented the UK at the international puppetry festival in Bucharest, Romania.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Berlin Wall separated East and West Berlin for 28 years In which year was it knocked down?

The Guardian

As yet, nobody has succeeded in identifying the light cruiser that collected Barbara from Greenland waters and in which year.

The Guardian

About 1890, in which year he moved to a new post with the Linde firm in Berlin, he conceived the idea for the diesel engine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the next phase, companies see a further decay in performance, in which year-on-year EBITA declines at a faster rate than revenue.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in which year", ensure the context clearly establishes the event or period to which the year refers. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid overusing "in which year" in informal contexts; simpler alternatives like "what year" or "when" often sound more natural. The longer phrase can sometimes come across as overly formal or stilted in casual conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in which year" functions as an interrogative adverbial phrase or a relative adverbial phrase. It introduces a question or a clause that specifies a particular year related to a preceding noun or event. Ludwig AI indicates its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in which year" is a versatile tool for specifying or inquiring about a particular year within a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, although it tends to be more formal than alternatives like "what year" or "when". It frequently appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources, indicating its suitability for precise and structured communication. When using "in which year", clarity is key: ensure the surrounding context establishes the event or period to which the year refers to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during what year

This alternative directly asks for the year in question, replacing the more formal "in which" with the simpler "what".

what specific year

This version emphasizes the need for a precise year, adding the adjective "specific" for clarity.

the year when

This option uses "when" to introduce a clause specifying a particular year, offering a slightly less formal tone.

in what calendar year

This phrase explicitly asks for the calendar year, clarifying that a full year is being requested.

during the year of

This alternative uses a prepositional phrase to specify the year, providing a slightly more descriptive approach.

the particular year that

This option stresses the uniqueness of the year in question, using "particular" to highlight its significance.

which numbered year

This choice directly asks for the numbered year, suitable in contexts requiring numerical precision.

at what point in time (year)

This version provides a broader scope including point in time followed by (year) to add clarity, suitable where more context is needed.

the exact year when

The alternative includes the adjective "exact" to emphasize precision when identifying the year.

in which numbered annum

This uses "annum" as a formal alternative to "year", suitable for academic or historical contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "in which year" to specify a particular year related to an event. For example, "In which year did World War II end?" or "The document specifies in which year the policy was implemented."

What are some alternatives to using "in which year"?

Alternatives include "what year", "when", or "during what year". The choice depends on the formality and context of your writing.

Is "in which year" formal or informal?

"In which year" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "what year". It's appropriate for academic writing, reports, and official documents.

How do I avoid misusing "in which year"?

Ensure the context clearly refers to a specific event or period. Avoid using "in which year" if a simpler phrasing like "when" is clearer and more concise.