that year

USAGE SUMMARY

"that year" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific year that has been mentioned previously in a sentence or conversation. For example, "I first met her at the park in 2018, and that year we became the best of friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Any pushback that year?

The New York Times

We did one that year.

The New York Times

She turned professional that year.

The New York Times - Sports

This happened several times that year.

The New York Times

He left Russia for Britain that year.

The New York Times

Mercury Records signed Bon Jovi that year.

Forbes

The team won 86 games that year.

Forbes

The foundation ceased operations that year.

Wikipedia

campaign that year.

The New Yorker

"Not that year".

The New York Times - Sports

Later that year, Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that year" to maintain a smooth flow in your writing, especially when you've already established the year in a previous sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "that year" at the beginning of a paragraph or section if the year hasn't been explicitly mentioned recently; this can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that year" functions as a temporal reference, pointing back to a specific year already identified within the text or conversation. It efficiently avoids repetition and maintains narrative flow. This is confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that year" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer back to a specific year already mentioned in a text or conversation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as an efficient temporal reference, maintaining narrative flow and avoiding repetition. While versatile and used across various contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media, wikis, and encyclopedias. When writing, ensure the context clearly identifies the year "that year" refers to, and be mindful of clarity, especially at the beginning of paragraphs. In formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "in that specific year". This ensures your writing remains clear, concise, and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in that specific year

Emphasizes the particular year being referenced.

that particular year

Adds emphasis to the specific year.

throughout that year

Implies activity or events occurring across the year.

during that period

Refers to the timeframe of that year.

in the course of that year

Similar to 'throughout that year', emphasizing the passage of time.

the year in question

Formally indicates the year being discussed.

within that twelve-month span

Highlights the duration of the year.

during those months

Focuses on the months encompassing that year.

that selfsame year

Adds a more archaic or emphatic tone.

at that time of year

Refers to a specific season or period within the year.

FAQs

How can I use "that year" in a sentence?

Use "that year" to refer back to a specific year previously mentioned in your writing. For example, "In 2005, I visited Paris. "That year" was unforgettable".

What's a more formal alternative to "that year"?

In more formal writing, consider using phrases like "in that specific year" or "during the aforementioned year" instead of "that year".

Is it okay to start a sentence with "that year"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct, but ensure the context makes it clear which year you're referring to. Starting a paragraph with "that year" might be confusing if the year hasn't been recently discussed.

How does "that year" differ from "the following year"?

"That year" refers to a specific year previously mentioned. "The following year" indicates the year immediately after a previously mentioned year, e.g., "I graduated in 2020. The following year, I found a job".