is years from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is years from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is a certain number of years away from happening or being achieved. Example: "The project is years from completion, but we are making steady progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But that project is years from completion.

The New York Times

The vaccine is years from the market.

The New York Times - Health

Vranes, 20, is years from contributing.

The New York Times - Sports

A pipeline across the Caspian (skirting Russia) has been mooted but is years from being built.

The Economist

Key forward Paddy McCartin has had plenty of attention but is years from his best.

The Guardian - Sport

Scarily for her opponents, Cunningham Snr believes she is years from her physical peak.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

But that might be years from now.

The New York Times

We're years from knowing whether de Blasio is Big.

The New Yorker

But many of the projects are years from completion.

The New York Times

Soon it will say where it thinks rates will be years from now.

The Economist

He emphasized, however, that they are years from proving it will work in patients.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is years from" to clearly communicate that an event or achievement is not imminent and will take a significant amount of time. Be specific about the context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is years from" when describing short-term goals or events that are expected to occur within a year or two. This phrase emphasizes a longer timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is years from" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating the time frame associated with a particular event or achievement. It clarifies the temporal distance of something, suggesting it is not imminent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is years from" serves to indicate that a particular event or achievement is not expected to occur in the near future. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, its neutral register makes it suitable for broad communication. When writing, it's essential to consider the implied timeframe, ensuring it aligns with the context. Alternatives such as "is a long way off" can be used for variety. Ludwig provides many examples which showcase its proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a long way off

Replaces "years from" with a more general idiom indicating distance in time.

is distant in the future

Uses a more descriptive and formal tone to convey the idea of futurity.

is not expected for many years

Emphasizes the expectation of a long delay.

is far from being realized

Focuses on the lack of current progress towards a future goal.

is a distant prospect

Highlights the uncertainty and remoteness of the future event.

is unlikely to happen soon

Conveys a sense of improbability and delay.

will take many years to achieve

Focuses on the effort and time required for a future outcome.

is a matter for the distant future

Highlights that the issue belongs to a more remote period.

lies in the indefinite future

Suggests the event's timing is uncertain and not clearly defined.

is still a long way down the road

Uses a more idiomatic and metaphorical way to mean something is far in the future.

FAQs

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

You can use "is years from" to indicate that something will not happen for several years. For example, "The new technology "is years from" being commercially available."

What's a less direct way to say "is years from"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is a long way off", or "is distant in the future", which soften the timeline without specifying an exact number of years.

Is "is years from completion" different from "is years away from completion"?

While similar, "is years from completion" emphasizes the distance in time until completion, while "is years away from completion" focuses on the separation or gap in time until the task finishes. They're largely interchangeable in most contexts.

What can I say instead of "is years from" when discussing progress?

Instead of "is years from", you could say "faces significant delays", or "is making slow progress" to emphasize the challenges in achieving the final result.