there were years when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were years when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific periods in the past when certain events or conditions occurred. Example: "There were years when the economy thrived, and people felt optimistic about the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

There were years when I knew.

The New Yorker

I must say there were years when Linn didn't see him".

The New Yorker

There were years when my hair seemed fuller, when I'd scrunch it into ringlets and delight at its apparent thickness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He essentially admitted, in the first debate, that there were years when he paid no federal taxes.

The New Yorker

But I remember there were years when I was playing a lot of Chopin, which is very great music, but I cannot relate to Chopin the person.

The Guardian - Music

After Archie ran his course, there were years when Mr. O'Connor wrote or acted in several productions that he hoped would demonstrate his versatility as an actor.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"There's years when you could lose everything".

The New York Times

There are years when the last figs of the season never ripen.

The New York Times

"There used to be rivers of butterflies, but now there are years when there are no butterflies at all.

The New York Times

There are years when the assorted personalities coalesce and years when they don't.

The New York Times - Sports

But the errors in the polls are sometimes correlated, meaning there are years when most of them miss in the same direction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were years when" to clearly indicate a recurring condition or event within a specific timeframe in the past. This helps to provide context and establish a temporal relationship.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses within the sentence. Ensure that the verbs used to describe the events or conditions during those years remain consistent (usually in the past tense) to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were years when" functions as a relative clause, introducing information about a past period characterized by specific circumstances or recurring events. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, clarifying periods of financial struggle, personal experiences, and environmental changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were years when" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe past periods characterized by specific recurring events or conditions. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage in news and media. It serves to establish a temporal context, providing background information or offering reflections on past experiences. When using this phrase, maintain consistent tense usage and choose it over shorter periods (days, weeks, months) if you refer to years. Alternative phrases like "during those years" or "there were times when" can be used to convey slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during those specific years

Highlights that some condition was happening during well-known/obvious years.

during certain years

Emphasizes that the years in question are specific and not all years.

there were times when

Focuses on specific instances within a period, rather than the entire duration.

there were periods when

Similar to 'times when' but suggests longer durations of the specified condition.

during those years

Refers to the time frame with a slightly more concise expression.

in some years

Indicates that the condition was not present every year, implying irregularity.

in previous years

Indicates a time in the past, emphasizing a comparison with the present.

in the past

A more general reference to prior times, lacking the specificity of a defined period.

at times in the past

Highlights the occasional nature of the events during the period.

back in the day

Informal way to refer to a period in the past, often with nostalgic connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "there were years when" in a sentence?

Use "there were years when" to introduce a period in the past characterized by a specific recurring condition or event. For example, "There were years when the company struggled to stay afloat."

What are some alternatives to "there were years when"?

Alternatives include "during those years", "in previous years", or "there were times when", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "there was years when"?

No, the correct phrasing is "there were years when". "Were" is used because "years" is plural.

What is the difference between "there were years when" and "there were days when"?

"There were years when" refers to a period of multiple years in the past, while "there were days when" refers to specific days or a shorter period. The choice depends on the timeframe you're describing.