year to date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'year to date' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the period from the beginning of the current year up to the present date. For example, "Our company's profits for the year to date are higher than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Loans are down year to date.

The New York Times

Look at the year to date.

The New York Times

TOP FINANCIAL ADVISERS Year to date: top banks by fees.

The New York Times

TOP FINANCIAL ADVISERS Year to date: worldwide, mergers and acquisitions.

The New York Times

YTD: Year to date.

Forbes

Year to date, it's down 12.5%.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Year-to-date profit-and-loss statement.

The New York Times

The year-to-date average was about 6.6 billion.

The New York Times

It's fallen 84% year-to-date.

Forbes

It's doing well year-to-date.

Forbes

Year-to-date it's up 15%.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "year to date" when comparing performance or metrics over the same period in different years for accurate analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "year to date" loosely to refer to vague periods. Always ensure it specifically means from the beginning of the current year up to the present date. For example, do not say "Our sales have been great year to date, especially last quarter" if you only want to focus on the last three months.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "year to date" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, noun, or clause. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a specific time period. For example, in "Sales are up year to date", it modifies the verb 'are' to specify the timeframe being considered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

36%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "year to date" is a common and correct way to refer to the period from the beginning of the current year up to the present date. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. Understanding its grammatical function as an adverbial phrase and its communicative purpose for providing current status reports is crucial for effective communication. While alternatives like "YTD" or "since the start of the year" exist, ensuring clarity and specifying the context (calendar vs. fiscal year) remains essential for accurate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

YTD

This is the abbreviated form of "year to date".

year-to-date

This is a hyphenated version, still commonly used and accepted, but slightly different in formatting.

since the start of the year

This alternative provides a more descriptive and less formal way of expressing the same time frame.

from January first to now

This option is more explicit about the starting point, adding clarity for some audiences.

this year up until today

This phrase emphasizes the present day as the endpoint of the period.

cumulative since January

This alternative emphasizes the accumulative nature of the measurement from the beginning of the calendar year.

for the current year so far

This phrase offers an extended, more explanatory way to express the time frame.

in the current fiscal year

This changes the scope to focus only on fiscal year performance.

annualized to this point

This option suggests projecting current data over the entire year.

since the beginning of the accounting period

A broader term, applicable if the relevant period isn't a calendar year.

FAQs

What does "year to date" mean?

"Year to date" (YTD) refers to the period starting from the beginning of the current year (January 1st in most cases) up to the current date. It is often used in finance and business to track performance.

How is "year to date" used in financial reports?

In financial reports, "year to date" figures provide a snapshot of a company's performance from the start of the year until the end of the most recent reporting period. This allows for comparisons against previous years or internal targets.

Which is correct, "year to date" or "year-to-date"?

Both "year to date" and "year-to-date" are acceptable. The hyphenated version is more common as an adjective. The non-hyphenated version is often used as an adverb or noun.

What are some alternatives to saying "year to date"?

You can use alternatives such as "since the start of the year", "from January first to now", or the abbreviation "YTD", depending on the context and audience.