in years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in years" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a period of time in years, for example: "This project will be completed in three years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not in years, huh?

The New York Times

**Designated in years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Nothing had moved in years".

The New York Times

I haven't seen him in years".

The New Yorker

I haven't seen you in years.

The New Yorker

Gilbert hadn't seen him in years.

The New Yorker

Concessionaires have the widest smiles in years.

The New Yorker

I had not heard it in years.

The New Yorker

No one has tuned it in years.

The New York Times - Arts

Mark Renneker hadn't ridden it in years.

The New Yorker

We have not spoken in years.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in years" to describe trends, changes, or events that occur over a span of several years. For example, "The company's profits have increased significantly in years."

Common error

Avoid using "in years" when referring to shorter time periods, such as months or weeks. Instead, use phrases like "in recent months" or "in the past few weeks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in years" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate a duration or time frame measured in years. It often describes how long something has lasted or hasn't occurred, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in years" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to specify a duration measured in years. According to Ludwig, it effectively indicates the timeframe over which an action, state, or event has persisted or been absent, making it versatile across various contexts, especially in news, media and science. While "in years" is primarily neutral in register, it's crucial to avoid using it for shorter durations, such as months or weeks. Using alternatives like "over the years" or "for many years" can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the years

This alternative emphasizes a gradual change or accumulation of events across a period of multiple years.

for many years

This alternative stresses the extended duration of time, highlighting the length of the period.

in the past few years

This focuses on a recent period, emphasizing events or changes that have occurred in the immediate past.

for a long time

This is a more general expression of duration, not specifically tied to years.

throughout the years

This suggests a consistent presence or activity over a prolonged period.

in recent times

This alternative shifts the focus to current trends or events, indicating a shorter timeframe than "in years".

in bygone years

This alternative implies a time long past, often with nostalgic connotations.

during those years

This specifies a particular period of years, rather than a general duration.

since then

This indicates a point in the past from which time has elapsed until the present.

over an extended period

This is a broader term, not limited to years but conveying a significant duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "in years" to describe something that has happened or has not happened for a long time, such as "I haven't seen him "in years"" or "The project has been developing "in years"".

What phrases are similar to "in years"?

Similar phrases include "over the years", "for many years", or "for a long time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in the year" instead of "in years"?

The phrases serve different purposes. "In the year" refers to a specific year, while "in years" refers to a duration of multiple years. For example, "The event occurred "in the year" 2000" versus "The building has been renovated "in years"".

What is the difference between "in years" and "for years"?

"In years" is often used to express that something hasn't happened in a long time, whereas "for years" indicates a continuous duration. Example: "I haven't seen him "in years"", versus "He worked there for years".