just under two years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just under two years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a duration of time that is slightly less than two years. Example: "I have been living in this city for just under two years now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just under two years.

The Guardian - Books

And so benefits max out at just under two years.

The Economist

As a result, he said, "The average stay is just under two years".

The New York Times

The last championship just under two years ago was in Plovdiv in Bulgaria.

The Guardian - Sport

Just under two years on, however, and the winds of change are blowing through the streets of Newcastle.

The New York Times

Brough held the Indigenous portfolio for just under two years until he lost his Queensland seat in 2007.

The Guardian

It began as a blog just under two years ago and, under Ms. McCarthy's tireless hand, has bloomed into an informal society of New York's brightest comediennes.

The New York Times - Arts

"The Twelve Tribes of Hattie" was written in Iowa in just under two years, after Ms. Mathis abandoned a fictionalized memoir that never jelled.

The New York Times - Books

American women gained just under two years of life, compared with women in Cyprus, who lived 2.3 years longer and Canadian women who gained 2.4 years.

The New York Times - Health

In just under two years, the company has invested roughly €9 million in 295 start-ups in cities including Prague Sãoo Paulo, Brazil; and Barcelona, Spain.

The New York Times

"We have moved from 60percentt pleats just under two years ago in both styles and sales to just over 50percentt flat-front".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just under two years" to indicate a duration that is close to, but slightly less than, two full years. It adds a touch of precision compared to simply saying "almost two years".

Common error

Avoid using "just under two years" when the duration is significantly less than two years. For instance, if something lasted for only a year and a half, consider using a phrase like "about a year and a half" or "18 months" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just under two years" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause by specifying a duration of time. This is supported by Ludwig AI analysis and confirmed by the numerous examples available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just under two years" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a duration that is slightly less than two years. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use, especially in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the actual duration is indeed close to two years to avoid misleading the reader. Consider alternatives such as "almost two years" or "nearly two years" for less precise estimations. Remember that precision enhances clarity. Using "just under two years" accurately offers a subtle refinement to estimations of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost two years

More straightforward and common way to express a time period slightly less than two years.

nearly two years

Similar in meaning to 'almost two years', but may imply a slightly greater degree of approximation.

close to two years

Emphasizes the proximity to the two-year mark.

not quite two years

Emphasizes that the duration is not fully two years.

approaching two years

Highlights the ongoing nature of the time period as it nears two years.

a little less than two years

More explicit and less concise way to express the duration.

one year and eleven months

More specific, avoids approximation but may sound unusual in general communication.

shy of two years

Slightly more informal way of saying 'less than two years'.

within two years

Implies an upper limit of two years, whereas the original phrase suggests a time period closer to two years.

a year and a half plus some months

Less precise and more descriptive.

FAQs

How can I use "just under two years" in a sentence?

You can use "just under two years" to specify a time period that is slightly shorter than two years. For example: "The project took "just under two years" to complete."

What is a similar phrase to "just under two years"?

Similar phrases include "almost two years", "nearly two years", or "close to two years". Choose the phrase that best fits the context and your desired level of precision.

Is it more appropriate to say "almost two years" or "just under two years"?

Both "almost two years" and "just under two years" are correct. "Just under two years" implies a slightly higher degree of accuracy and closeness to the two-year mark compared to "almost two years".

When should I avoid using the phrase "just under two years"?

Avoid using "just under two years" if the actual time period is significantly shorter than two years (e.g., if it's closer to a year and a half). In those cases, use more accurate descriptions like "about eighteen months".