past years

USAGE SUMMARY

"past years" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it to refer to previous years that have already gone by in the past. For example: "We have been working hard for the past years to achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Specifically, the Nasdaq excludes anyone who was employed the company in the past three years.

The New York Times

Over the past decade, Kazakhs have experienced a steady reduction in individual rights.

The Guardian

"Five years ago I stood here and said we had made history here in Brighton," Lucas said to loud cheers inside the Brighton Centre conference venue.

The Guardian

Over the next two years, several prominent opposition figures were murdered in mysterious circumstances.

The Guardian

Ms. Coronado estimated that this Summers effect would reduce domestic economic growth by 0.5 to 0.75 percentage point over the next two years, which could reduce job creation by 350,000 to 500,000 jobs.

The New York Times

I lived in Lithuania for four years in the early 1990s.

The Economist

Congress is currently considering a bill increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 over the next three years.

The Economist

The same can't be said, though, of the boom of the past decade.

The Economist

Two years later, he was at it again.

The New York Times

I've moved seven times in the last six years but I've never put her stuff in storage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Senator Ted Cruz is the biggest threat to business as usual in Washington in the last 25 years – and that is a great thing for America.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "past years", ensure the context clearly indicates the period being referred to. For example, specify a timeframe if needed: "In the past five years".

Common error

Avoid using "past years" without a clear reference point. Make sure your audience understands which period you are discussing. Be specific whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past years" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often implied), indicating a period of time before the present. It is used to describe or refer to events, trends, or conditions that occurred in previous years. Although Ludwig provides no exact examples of its usage, the phrase is a common and easily understood construction.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "past years" is grammatically correct and functions as an adjectival phrase to indicate a period before the present. While Ludwig AI indicates the absence of exact examples within the provided search data, this doesn't undermine its validity or usability. The phrase is considered to have a neutral register, making it appropriate for diverse contexts. The lack of examples suggests further research into specific contexts might be beneficial. When employing "past years", be specific and make sure there is a clear time frame reference. Although the phrase is valid and commonly used, alternative phrases like ""previous years"" or "earlier years" may suit different contexts more precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Previous years

Uses a different adjective to indicate time before the present.

Years before

Simple and direct way of indicating years in the past.

Earlier years

Emphasizes the relative earliness of the years in question.

Preceding years

Highlights the sequence of years leading up to a certain point.

Former years

Indicates years that came before the current time.

Years gone by

More figurative, suggesting the passage of time.

Old years

Simple and straightforward way of referring to years in the past.

Bygone years

Implies a more distant past, often with nostalgic connotations.

Elapsed years

Highlights the completion of those years.

Retrospective years

Focuses on looking back at the years.

FAQs

How do I use "past years" in a sentence?

Use "past years" to refer to a period before the present. For example, "The company has seen significant growth in "previous years"".

What's a good alternative to "past years"?

You can use alternatives like ""previous years"", "earlier years", or "years ago" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in the past years"?

While grammatically understandable, it is more common and natural to say "in "past years"" or "over the "past years"".

What is the difference between "past years" and "last years"?

"Past years" refers to a general period before the present, while "last years" usually refers to the most recent years (e.g., "last five years").