valuable year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "valuable year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a year that has significant importance or worth, often in terms of personal growth, achievements, or experiences. Example: "Looking back, I realize that 2020 was a valuable year for my personal development, despite the challenges we faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Who knows, it may even be the most valuable year of your life.

The Guardian

The worst, and most professionally valuable, year of my life came when, immediately after graduating, I worked for Jocelyn Stevens on Queen magazine.

The Guardian

It is time for it to admit what most Americans already know: we squandered hundreds of lives, tens of billions of dollars and a valuable year of time chasing a red herring, while the true threats of rogue nuclear acquisition were forgotten or ignored.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Others worry that they will lose valuable years of saving for the future.

The New York Times

Valuable years lost on what the engraver George Vertue aptly termed "low-shrubb instructions" had crucial bearing on Hogarth's subsequent development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Who will compensate for the loss of their valuable years of life?" But the BJP, which controls Gujarat, welcomed the verdict.

Independent

There are some who claim Owen has wasted three valuable years of his career at United, where he was never likely to gain a regular place even if he had stayed fit.

The Guardian - Sport

"I thought, How am I going to spend two valuable years of my life?" said Mr. Garamendi, 64, who previously served as the deputy secretary of interior in the Clinton administration as well as the California's first elected insurance commissioner.

The New York Times

That is a loss of valuable years of experience, but it also provides an opportunity to promote a new group of leaders who can help put into effect some of the new ideas contained in the report.

The New York Times

"I was in Thailand, and I was thinking, I'm going to try really hard to focus on golf, and I'm going to lose valuable years of my life, and what for?

The New York Times - Sports

Having grown up in military surroundings, Kleist became dissatisfied with the career of an army officer, which had been chosen for him, and resigned his commission after "the loss of seven valuable years".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experiences, use "valuable year" to emphasize the positive impact and personal growth derived from that time.

Common error

While "valuable year" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it repetitively within a single piece of writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "significant year" or "meaningful year" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "valuable year" functions primarily as an adjective-noun combination, where "valuable" modifies the noun "year". It serves to qualify the year as having significant worth or importance. This is supported by the Ludwig examples that show it used in various contexts to describe periods of time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

4%

Science & Research

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "valuable year" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a year of significant worth or importance. According to Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and formal documents. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "significant year" or "meaningful year" to maintain writing clarity. Overall, this phrase is a reliable way to convey the positive impact and personal growth experienced during a particular year.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant year

Emphasizes the importance and noteworthiness of the year.

meaningful year

Focuses on the depth and personal relevance of the year's experiences.

fruitful year

Highlights the positive outcomes and accomplishments achieved during the year.

productive year

Stresses the amount of work completed and progress made during the year.

rewarding year

Emphasizes the satisfaction and gratification derived from the year's events.

enriching year

Focuses on the personal growth and development experienced during the year.

pivotal year

Suggests that the year marked a turning point or critical moment.

impactful year

Highlights the strong effect or influence the year had.

memorable year

Focuses on the lasting impression the year left.

momentous year

Emphasizes the historical or significant events that occurred during the year.

FAQs

What does "valuable year" mean?

A "valuable year" refers to a year that is considered to be of great worth, importance, or benefit, often due to significant experiences, achievements, or personal growth that occurred during that time.

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

You can use "valuable year" to describe a period of time that was particularly beneficial or significant. For example: "My study abroad program was a "valuable year" for my language skills".

What are some alternatives to "valuable year"?

Alternatives to "valuable year" include "significant year", "meaningful year", or "rewarding year". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect of the year you want to emphasize.

Is "valuable year" formal or informal?

"Valuable year" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation rather than the phrase itself.