new year resolutions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "new year resolutions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time in the year to refer to a set of goals that you have set for yourself for the upcoming or current year. For example, "I'm making new year resolutions to keep better track of my finances this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

How are those new year resolutions going?

The Guardian - Sport

✒ Are you sick of reading about new year resolutions?

The Guardian

Q One of my new year resolutions is to save a bit more for the future.

The Guardian - Money

Are you planning any new year resolutions around work-life balance?

The Guardian

Top media figures have opened their hearts to Monkey to reveal their new year resolutions.

The Guardian

Are you planning any new year resolutions around the work-life balance?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Recognizing and avoiding these biases, can be a valuable competitive advantage and, with the New Year fast approaching, may even assist with one's New Year resolutions.

Huffington Post

But what of New Year resolutions; fresh starts, positive changes and a new perspective in the coming year?

The Guardian

My New Year resolutions inevitably became New Year's failures, before spring, and the resolutions themselves were often a reflection of my own insecurities or issues with self.

Huffington Post

We don't even need to make sartorial New Year resolutions: January isn't the start of the fashion year, the clothes calendar having rebooted back in September.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I hate New Year resolutions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for highly formal or traditional publications, consider using the possessive variant 'new year's resolutions' to satisfy strict style guides.

Common error

Writers often struggle with whether to include an apostrophe. While "new year resolutions" is perfectly acceptable as a compound noun, dropping the apostrophe when you actually intended the possessive 'New Year's' can sometimes be flagged in formal grammar checks.

Linguistic Context

This phrase functions as a compound noun phrase that acts as the subject or object of a sentence. Based on evidence from Ludwig, it is frequently used to categorize a list of personal goals. Ludwig AI notes its flexibility in both plural and singular forms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Social Media

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "new year resolutions" is a standard and effective phrase for discussing self-improvement goals at the start of a year. Ludwig AI shows that it is a staple in modern journalism, appearing frequently in top-tier outlets. While it competes with its possessive counterpart, it remains a robust choice for neutral and informal writing. To maximize clarity, ensure the surrounding verbs emphasize the active nature of making or keeping these commitments. Overall, Ludwig confirms this is a grammatically sound and culturally relevant choice for any writer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

new year's resolutions

Adds the possessive apostrophe which is the traditional editorial standard

annual goals

More formal and suitable for professional or corporate contexts

personal resolutions

Removes the time constraint to focus on the individual nature of the vow

self-improvement objectives

More clinical and descriptive focusing on the intent of the change

lifestyle changes

Focuses on the practical outcomes rather than the act of resolving

new year promises

Uses a more emotional or interpersonal term for the commitment

January commitments

Shifts the focus specifically to the initial month of implementation

year-ahead planning

Framed as a strategic activity rather than a singular vow

fresh starts

Idomatic expression focusing on the beginning of a new period

habit reforms

Specific to changing recurring behaviors rather than general goals

FAQs

How to use "new year resolutions" in a sentence?

You can use it as a direct object, for example: "I am currently drafting my new year resolutions for the upcoming season."

Is it better to say "new year resolutions" or "<a href="/s/new+year's+resolutions" target="_blank" rel="alternative">new year's resolutions"?

Both are correct. "new year resolutions" acts as a compound noun, while "<a href="/s/new+year's+resolutions" target="_blank" rel="alternative">new year's resolutions" is the more traditional possessive form preferred by some style guides.

What can I say instead of "new year resolutions"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/annual+goals" target="_blank" rel="alternative">annual goals", "<a href="/s/lifestyle+changes" target="_blank" rel="alternative">lifestyle changes", or "<a href="/s/personal+objectives" target="_blank" rel="alternative">personal objectives" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "new year resolutions" and "<a href="/s/annual+goals" target="_blank" rel="alternative">annual goals"?

"new year resolutions" carries a cultural connotation of personal self-improvement, whereas "<a href="/s/annual+goals" target="_blank" rel="alternative">annual goals" is typically used in a professional or business setting.