in which years

USAGE SUMMARY

"in which years" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are asking what years something occurred or happened. For example: "Can you tell me in which years the TV show was airing?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Their climactic confrontation, in which years of bitterness and dashed expectations pour out, is one of the most moving scenes I've seen in a movie this year.

The New York Times

But as with jazz, in which years of study are required to reach a level where a performance feels natural and unstudied, Mr. Burns's moments are the product of planning.

The New York Times - Arts

_I wondered whether you were thinking at all of John Cheever's "The Swimmer"—a story in which years pass as a man is engaged in what seemed at first to be one afternoon's frivolous activity.

The New Yorker

I wondered whether you were thinking at all of John Cheever's "The Swimmer" — a story in which years pass as a man is engaged in what seemed at first to be one afternoon's frivolous activity.

The New Yorker

It has a wildly improbable plot in which years of austerity magically produce economic growth; mountains of public debt are paid off by shrinking economies; unaccountable experts know more about other countries than their own elected governments; and everyone lives happily ever after.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chepauk, the stadium now known as MA Chidambaram, was furnace-hot for cricket, with dripping, energy-sapping humidity, the sort of conditions in which years later the Australian Dean Jones was to make a double hundred and end up in intensive care for his pains.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In which year was said grandfather born?

Independent

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

The New York Times

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

Independent

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

The Guardian - Opinion

He was married first in 1964 to Sarah Paine, a marriage dissolved in 1987, in which year he married Caroline Maynard.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking about specific years within a known period, "in which years" provides a clear and formal way to frame your inquiry. For example, "In which years did the company experience the most growth?"

Common error

Avoid using "in which years" when referring to a continuous period without specific annual distinctions. For instance, instead of "in which years the project was ongoing", use "during which time the project was ongoing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in which years" functions as an adjective phrase introducing a relative clause. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, typically used to specify a timeframe or period about which more information is being requested or provided. This is confirmed by the available examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in which years" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, serving to specify a particular timeframe. While the phrase is considered uncommon, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science, lending itself to formal contexts. To enhance clarity, avoid its usage when referring to extended durations lacking specific annual distinctions. Alternatives include "during which years" for emphasizing a period of time. Overall, this phrase provides a precise way to frame inquiries about events tied to specific years.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during which years

Replaces 'in which' with 'during which', emphasizing the time period.

in what years

More direct phrasing replacing 'which' with 'what'.

during those years

Specifies a period already mentioned, replacing the relative pronoun.

in those years when

Adds a conjunction and rephrases to include a temporal context.

over the years when

Indicates a longer time span, adding emphasis on the duration.

throughout the years that

Similar to 'over the years,' stressing the duration of the period.

which years saw

Alters the structure to highlight what occurred during those years.

what years did

Direct question format, replacing the relative clause structure.

the years that

Simplifies the phrasing to a more basic relative clause.

during the period

Uses a general term for a time frame, less specific than 'years'.

FAQs

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

Use "in which years" to specify the timeframe when asking about events or occurrences. For example: "In which years was the policy in effect?"

What's the difference between "in which years" and "during which years"?

"In which years" is used to ask about specific years, while "during which years" emphasizes a period of time. For example: "In which years did they live there?" vs. "During which years did they live there?"

Is "in which years" formal or informal?

"In which years" is considered a formal phrase. For less formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "what years" or "which years".

Can I use "in which years" to refer to future events?

No, "in which years" is typically used to refer to past or present events, not future ones. For future events, consider phrases like "in what future years" or similar constructions.