more than three years

USAGE SUMMARY

'more than three years' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any amount of time that is greater than three years. For example, "I have been working here for more than three years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"That was more than three years ago".

The New York Times - Health

It took more than three years to let go.

The New York Times

More than three years later, they are still waiting.

The New York Times

It took more than three years to resolve the lawsuit.

The New York Times - Sports

Coleman is more than three years older than Scully.

The New York Times

The next election is more than three years off.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Far more than five thousand years,.

The New Yorker

Whoa — more than twenty years?

The New Yorker

"Ten — more than ten — years ago.

The New Yorker

That took more than two years.

The Economist

She was more than ninety years old.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you need to emphasize the length of time, consider alternatives like "well over three years" or "significantly more than three years".

Common error

While "over three years" is often used informally, in formal writing, it's preferable to use "more than three years" for greater precision and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than three years" typically functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the duration or length of an action, event, or state. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more than three years" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to indicate a duration exceeding 36 months. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial phrase, providing a time frame for actions or events. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts, including news, science, and business writing. When using the phrase, ensure it clearly and precisely conveys the intended duration. If greater emphasis is needed, consider using alternatives like "well over three years". The abundance of examples from Ludwig reinforces the versatility and widespread applicability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over three years

Replaces "more than" with "over", keeping the time frame the same.

exceeding three years

Uses a more formal verb to indicate a duration surpassing three years.

longer than three years

Emphasizes the extended duration using "longer than".

beyond three years

Indicates a period extending past the three-year mark.

in excess of three years

A more formal way of saying "more than three years".

past three years

A simpler way of indicating time beyond three years.

a period longer than three years

Specifies "period" to clarify the duration being discussed.

for over three years

Focuses on the duration of an action or state.

at least 36 months

Converts the time frame to months to emphasize its length.

three-plus years

Informal way of saying more than three years.

FAQs

How do I use "more than three years" in a sentence?

Use "more than three years" to specify a duration exceeding 36 months. For example, "The project took "more than three years" to complete."

What can I say instead of "more than three years"?

You can use alternatives like "over three years", "longer than three years", or "exceeding three years" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "over three years" or "more than three years"?

Both "over three years" and "more than three years" are acceptable, but "more than three years" is generally preferred in formal writing for its precision.

What's the difference between "almost three years" and "more than three years"?

"Almost three years" indicates a duration nearing 36 months, while "more than three years" signifies a duration exceeding 36 months.