year to year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "year to year" is correct and commonly used in written English.
For instance, you could use it in a sentence such as: "Workplace productivity has increased year to year since the implementation of the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The estimates vary from year to year.

The New York Times

They can change year to year.

The New York Times - Sports

Now it feels more year to year.

The Guardian

Now I make five year to year".

The New York Times - Sports

"Year to year is different.

The New York Times - Sports

Or even insuring year to year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's almost a year-to-year contract.

The New York Times

But we can only decide the budget year-to-year".

The New Yorker

"The year-to-year comparisons are completely ridiculous".

The New York Times

"Year-to-year predicting is pretty useless.

Forbes

Year-to-year variation in CAPE is also quite significant.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data or trends, use "year to year" to clearly indicate that you are looking at changes between consecutive years.

Common error

Avoid using "year to year" when discussing changes over a long period; instead, use phrases like "over the years" or "in the long run" to avoid implying comparisons between consecutive years only.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "year to year" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency or pattern of changes, comparisons, or assessments made annually. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

28%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "year to year" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating comparisons or changes between consecutive years. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It functions as an adverbial modifier and serves to provide temporal context in various domains, including news, science, and general writing. When using "year to year", it's important to ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of comparing successive years, rather than broader, long-term trends. Alternatives include "from one year to the next" or "annually", depending on the context. Be mindful of the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from one year to the next

Emphasizes the transition and comparison between consecutive years.

year after year

Highlights the repetition or continuity over multiple years.

each subsequent year

Stresses the sequence of years following a starting point.

in successive years

Emphasizes the ordered sequence of years.

on a yearly basis

Indicates a regular assessment or occurrence every year.

annually

Focuses on a yearly basis but lacks the comparative sense.

over the years

Implies a longer period of time and cumulative changes.

per annum

A more formal or technical term for yearly.

on an annual scale

Focuses on measuring or assessing something across a year.

from season to season

Highlights seasonal changes rather than annual ones.

FAQs

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

The phrase "year to year" is used to describe comparisons or changes between successive years. For example: "The company's profits increased "year to year" due to increased sales."

What is a good alternative to "year to year"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "year to year" include "from one year to the next", "annually", or "year after year".

Is it better to say "year to year" or "from year to year"?

"Year to year" and "from year to year" are both grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Year to year" is slightly more concise and commonly used, but the choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What does "year-on-year" mean, and how does it compare to "year to year"?

Year-on-year and "year to year" are often used interchangeably to indicate a comparison between one year and the previous year. "Year-on-year" is more common in business and financial contexts, while "year to year" is more general.