matter of years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'matter of years' is correct, and it is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a short amount of time, and it is usually used with a number. For example, you could say, "It took a matter of years to fully redesign the website."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"But it's also not a matter of years".

The New York Times

It took only a matter of years to correct that.

The New York Times - Arts

It is expected to be completed in a matter of years.

Harvard University

Today, new models of hardware are obsolute in a matter of years.

Princeton University

In a matter of years we will see if there is any merit to this interpretation.

The Economist

Her oncologist reported that in some cases Iressa can extend life by a matter of years.

The New Yorker

Italy's premier industrial enterprise may do it in a matter of years.

The New York Times

But he added, "It is also not a matter of years".

The New York Times

If we wanted to, we could all be inoculated against smallpox in a matter of years.

The New Yorker

However, it appeared here that the "due course" could be a matter of years.

The New York Times

Indeed, in a matter of years, the Brazilians have transformed what was once a wilderness landscape.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity in technical writing, consider using specific date ranges instead of “matter of years” when precision is required.

Common error

Avoid using "matter of years" when referring to very short periods (days or weeks) or extremely long periods (decades or centuries). Use more appropriate timeframes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matter of years" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, indicating the duration over which something occurs or is expected to occur. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "matter of years" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that expresses a timeframe longer than months but shorter than decades. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Academia and Science. When writing, consider using specific date ranges instead to enhance clarity if the situation requires extra precision. Also be mindful of the duration you want to express, and use more appropriate timeframes if you are talking about very short or extremely long timeframes. By following this advice, you'll leverage "matter of years" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

period of several years

This alternative is more descriptive, specifying a duration.

span of some years

This phrase emphasizes the duration or extent of time.

a few years' time

This alternative focuses on a point in the future.

within a couple of years

This alternative specifies a shorter timeframe.

over the next few years

This phrase highlights a progression over time.

in the coming years

This alternative indicates a future timeframe.

in the not-so-distant future

This phrase downplays the length of time.

in a handful of years

This alternative uses a more informal expression.

a relatively short time

This phrase emphasizes the brevity of the period.

in the foreseeable future

This alternative implies a degree of certainty about the timeframe.

FAQs

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

You can use "matter of years" to describe a period that is longer than months but shorter than decades. For example, "The project is expected to be completed in a "matter of years"".

What's the difference between "matter of years" and "matter of decades"?

"Matter of years" refers to a shorter timeframe, typically a few years, while "matter of decades" implies a much longer period, spanning several decades.

Which is more precise, "matter of years" or "few years"?

"Few years" is slightly more precise than "matter of years", as it directly implies a small number of years. "Matter of years" is a more general expression.

What can I say instead of "matter of years" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "period of several years" or "span of some years" instead of "matter of years".