prior years

USAGE SUMMARY

"prior years" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the past; for example, "This year's sales figures are lower than those from the prior years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In prior years, they may well have been more aggressive.

The New Yorker

Deferrals from prior years increased by £700m relative to 2009.

The Guardian - Business

"In prior years, rising health care prices drove up spending.

The New York Times

That is consistent with the percentage stopped in prior years, Mr. Dunn said.

The New York Times

But that was considered routine, no different from similar proposed cuts in prior years.

The New York Times

These were areas into which Cameron had aggressively expanded in prior years.

The Guardian - Business

After cutting fat in prior years, "today we must cut the heart out of county government".

The New York Times

"I have seen more of an outcry over this increase than I have in prior years".

The New York Times

There are some houses available that would have been occupied in prior years.

The New York Times

In prior years, only about half of those who had applied showed up on test day.

The New York Times

Each year, companies estimate their tax liabilities based largely on their performance in prior years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data across different time periods, use "prior years" to clearly indicate that you are referring to years before the current one.

Common error

Avoid using "prior years" when referring to a specific set of years within a limited timeframe. Be precise about the period you're discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior years" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (e.g., data, performance, results). As seen in Ludwig, it specifies a timeframe before the current or reference year, indicating a period of comparison or historical context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior years" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to denote years preceding the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and effective in various contexts. Predominantly found in news, business, and scientific sources, it maintains a neutral to professional register. For alternative phrasing, consider ""previous years"" or "earlier years". When using "prior years", be sure to define the relevant timeframe and scope clearly to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous years

Replaces "prior" with its direct synonym "previous", maintaining a similar level of formality.

earlier years

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of being before the current time frame.

past years

Focuses on the time that has already elapsed.

preceding years

Formal synonym for "prior", often used in official or academic contexts.

the years before

More descriptive and less concise; useful for adding emphasis or clarity.

in years past

Evokes a sense of nostalgia or reflection on past times.

years ago

Specifies a non-exact duration of time.

historical years

Refers to years that are part of recorded history, often in a formal context.

bygone years

Suggests that the years are long past and possibly forgotten.

former years

Focuses on a contrast between past and present, suggesting something has changed.

FAQs

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

Use "prior years" to refer to years preceding the current one, such as, "Sales have increased compared to "previous years"".

What can I say instead of "prior years"?

You can use alternatives like "earlier years", "past years", or "preceding years" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "prior years" or "previous years"?

"Prior years" and ""previous years"" are both correct and often interchangeable. "Previous" is slightly more common in everyday usage.

What's the difference between "prior years" and "following years"?

"Prior years" refers to years that have already passed, while "following years" refers to years in the future.