requires years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "requires years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain process, skill, or achievement takes a significant amount of time to accomplish. Example: "Mastering a new language often requires years of practice and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It requires years of disillusionment, this is true," he says.

The Guardian - Film

Treating anxiety no longer requires years of pills or psychotherapy.

The New York Times - Science

Synchronizing that effort requires years of training and the right "neural hookup," Ivy said.

The New Yorker

But that requires years of work and volumes of detailed rules.

The Economist

In two days, the poor actor had to learn Buto dancing [a Japanese movement form that requires years of training].

The Guardian

And don't think for a moment that it requires years of co-working to build up this kind of relationship.

The Guardian - Money

But music requires "years and years of practice in order to make what is conscious unconscious," he said.

The New York Times - Science

He knows that it's not enough just to teach kids mental tricks — the real challenge is turning those tricks into habits, and that requires years of diligent practice.

The New Yorker

Medical websites vary in quality and the interpretation of each article requires years of medical training and no shortage of skill.

The Guardian

The new stadium is like that freshly purchased baseball glove that requires years of line drives and ground balls to be sufficiently broken in.

The New York Times - Sports

The parliamentarian's job requires years of apprenticeship, and the work is so obscure that few people in Washington can do it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "requires years", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific activity or goal necessitates this extended period. For example, specify "mastering a skill requires years of dedicated practice".

Common error

Avoid using "requires years" when the actual time frame is shorter. Inflating the time needed can diminish credibility. Be precise and accurate in your estimations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "requires years" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that a certain process, skill development, or achievement necessitates a prolonged period of time, specifically multiple years. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its consistent use in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "requires years" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to highlight the extended time needed to achieve a specific goal or develop a skill. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, it's employed across various contexts, from news articles to scientific publications, underscoring its versatility. While alternatives like "takes a long time" or "demands significant time" exist, "requires years" specifically emphasizes the multi-year commitment involved. Remember to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that the context aligns with the implied long-term duration. The overall quality is high due to its accurate grammatical nature and its wide usages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

necessitates years of effort

Emphasizes both the time and effort involved.

entails years of dedication

Highlights dedication and time commitment.

demands significant time

Highlights the need for a considerable time investment.

calls for extensive time

Highlights the need for a significant time allocation.

takes a long time

Focuses on the duration, less emphasis on necessity.

is a multi-year commitment

Emphasizes the commitment and the timeframe.

involves a lengthy process

Focuses on the process being long rather than the time specifically.

is a time-consuming endeavor

Emphasizes that the effort consumes a lot of time.

needs considerable duration

Focuses on duration but is less common in everyday speech.

spans several years

Emphasizes the length of the time period.

FAQs

How can I use "requires years" in a sentence?

The phrase "requires years" typically indicates that a significant amount of time, specifically multiple years, is necessary to achieve a certain goal or develop a particular skill. For example, "Becoming fluent in a new language "requires years" of practice and immersion".

What are some alternatives to "requires years"?

Alternatives to "requires years" include phrases like "takes a long time", "demands significant time", or "necessitates years of effort". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it acceptable to use "requires years" in formal writing?

Yes, "requires years" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that the phrase is used in various reputable sources, including news media and academic publications.

Which is more accurate, "requires years" or "takes years"?

Both "requires years" and "takes years" are grammatically correct, but "requires years" emphasizes the necessity of the time, while "takes years" simply states the duration. The choice depends on the intended emphasis. In most contexts, they are interchangeable.