over the last number of years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over the last number of years" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a period of time in the recent past. Example: "Over the last number of years, the company has seen significant growth in profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

In the end he could offer only apologies, saying to a parliamentary committee last November: "What I'm trying to do is learn from the events over the last number of years, try to understand why the company couldn't come to grips with the issues in as fast a way as I would have liked".

The Guardian

Computer codes and computer hardware have progressed significantly over the last number of years.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

"I was focused very much on my Manhattan real estate over the last number of years.

The New York Times

"I've done that over the last number of years and it's neat to share that with friends and family.

The Guardian - Sport

"I know your country well, I've met with your leaders continuously over the last number of years," he said.

The Guardian

"At the time, it looked like so many other fights that anybody connected with hockey would have watched over the last number of years".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

You've seen what they've done over the last long number of years.

The Washington Post

New domain extensions have accumulated some pretty big numbers over the last couple of years.

TechCrunch

I've met him on a number of occasions over the last couple of years.

The Guardian - Arts

The Wolves have guard Ricky Rubio back from a number of injuries over the last couple of years.

Los Angeles Times

Over the last couple of years we've hosted a number of marketing programs all across the US.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over the last number of years" when you want to refer to a trend or development that has occurred gradually and consistently during the specified period. For greater impact, follow it with specific details or quantifiable data.

Common error

Avoid using "over the last number of years" in very informal conversations or writing where simpler alternatives like "recently" or "lately" would suffice. Using the longer phrase can sound unnecessarily verbose in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the last number of years" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase acting as an adjunct. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying a timeframe. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over the last number of years" is a grammatically correct and versatile adverbial phrase used to specify a timeframe in the recent past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered valid for use in written English. With a very common frequency, it appears across diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal communications. While functional, the phrase can be replaced by more concise alternatives like "in recent years" or "for the past few years", especially in informal settings. It's crucial to use it judiciously to maintain clarity and avoid sounding overly verbose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in recent years

Uses a more concise and common phrasing to indicate the recent past.

during the past few years

Emphasizes a shorter, more specific timeframe within the recent past.

for the last several years

Highlights the duration extending up to the present.

throughout the preceding years

Adds a formal tone, referring to years that came before the present.

in the years leading up to now

Focuses on the progression of time towards the present moment.

over the course of recent years

Highlights the continuous nature of time passing.

since recent years

Emphasizes the starting point of a trend or change.

in the immediately preceding years

Formal and specific; pinpoints the years right before the current one.

during the time frame of the last years

A more verbose alternative to indicate the same timeframe.

for a number of years recently

Rearranges the sentence structure while maintaining the core meaning.

FAQs

What does "over the last number of years" mean?

The phrase "over the last number of years" refers to a period in the recent past, implying a duration of several years leading up to the present.

How can I use "over the last number of years" in a sentence?

You can use "over the last number of years" to describe trends, changes, or developments that have occurred during that time, such as, "Over the last number of years, the company has expanded its operations internationally."

Is it better to say "over the last few years" or "over the last number of years"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "over the last few years" is often more concise and commonly used. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and specificity. Consider using alternatives like "in recent years" for brevity.

What are some alternatives to "over the last number of years"?

Several alternatives can be used depending on the context, including "in recent years", "during the past few years", or "for the last several years".