year's end

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "year's end" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the end of a calendar year or the end of a specific 12-month period. Example: "As we approach the year's end, it is a good time to reflect on our accomplishments and set goals for the new year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's common to do this at year's end.

Forbes

THE year's end has come.

The Economist

Just before year's end, Bdeir quit.

The New York Times - Magazine

At year's end inflation stood at 22%.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By year's end, the reservation had emptied.

The New York Times

By year's end, polio cases had plunged.

The New York Times

By year's end, Amanda had caught up.

The New York Times

Elsewhere it was an eventful year's end.

The Guardian - Sport

Loans must close by year's end.

The New York Times

Delivery is expected by year's end.

The New York Times

That is expected by year's end.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "year's end" when referring to the period encompassing the very last days of a calendar year, especially when discussing summaries, conclusions, or preparations for the new year.

Common error

Avoid using "year's end" when you mean the middle of the year. "Year's end" specifically denotes the conclusion of the year, not the halfway point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "year's end" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier specifying time. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct. Examples found by Ludwig indicate its use to denote a specific period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "year's end" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase referring to the conclusion of a calendar year. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread usage. It functions adverbially to specify a time frame, often in news, encyclopedic, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to distinguish it from mid-year references. For greater formality, consider alternatives like "year's conclusion". Its consistent usage across reputable sources makes it a reliable and clear choice for indicating temporal proximity to the end of the year.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end of year

This alternative uses a different word order but maintains the same core meaning.

year-end

This is a hyphenated form of the original phrase, often used as an adjective.

close of the year

This option replaces "end" with "close", emphasizing the completion aspect.

year's conclusion

This phrase substitutes "end" with the more formal "conclusion".

end of the calendar year

This alternative specifies that it is the calendar year that is ending

final months of the year

This phrase broadens the scope to include the period leading up to the end.

latter part of the year

This option refers to the second half of the year, approaching its end.

December

This alternative uses the name of the last month of the year.

New Year's Eve

This option refers to the day immediately preceding the new year.

twelfth month

This alternatives uses ordinal number to refer to the last month of the year.

FAQs

What does "year's end" mean?

"Year's end" refers to the conclusion of a calendar year, typically encompassing the last few weeks or months leading up to December 31st. It's often used when discussing events, summaries, or preparations for the upcoming new year.

What can I say instead of "year's end"?

You can use alternatives like "end of year", "close of the year", or "year's conclusion" depending on the context.

Is "year's end" formal or informal?

"Year's end" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, you might prefer "year's conclusion".

How do I use "year's end" in a sentence?

You can use "year's end" to describe a timeframe or to specify when something will occur. For example: "We aim to finalize the project by the "year's end"" or "The company's annual report is released at the "year's end"".