year-long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "year-long" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lasts for an entire year, often in contexts like projects, events, or commitments. Example: "The organization launched a year-long initiative to promote environmental awareness in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But a year-long banishment?

The New York Times

Whitelaw died after a year-long illness.

The Guardian

Many predicted a year-long ban.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a year-long planning campaign.

The Guardian - Money

Carmelo's stall was open year-long.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many say a proposed year-long ceasefire is not enough.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"All year long," Moore said.

The New York Times - Sports

Craters beg for rain all year long.

The New Yorker

He's been impressive all year long".

The New York Times

"Our team has responded all year long.

The New York Times

Or make this recipe all year long.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "year-long" to describe events, projects, or conditions that extend for a full year. It's particularly useful when emphasizing the duration of something.

Common error

Avoid using "year-long" when you actually mean "yearly" or "annually". "Year-long" describes a continuous duration, while "yearly" indicates recurrence or frequency on a per-year basis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "year-long" functions primarily as a compound adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate a duration of one year, describing something that lasts for that period. Ludwig examples show its role in describing projects, studies, and illnesses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

25%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "year-long" is a common and grammatically correct compound adjective used to describe something lasting for a full year. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. While alternatives like "one-year" and "lasting a year" exist, "year-long" provides a clear and concise way to specify duration. Remember to avoid using it when you mean "yearly" or "annually", as they convey different meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one-year

This is a shorter, hyphenated adjective that also describes something lasting a year. It's more concise.

lasting a year

This is a more descriptive phrase conveying the duration of a year. It's less concise.

spanning a year

This alternative emphasizes the duration covering the period of a year. It's slightly more formal.

twelve-month

This alternative specifies the length in months rather than years. It offers more precision.

annual

This adjective refers to something that happens once a year or is calculated yearly. It indicates recurrence.

whole year

This alternative emphasizes the entirety of the year involved. It is less formal.

365-day

This specifies the duration in days. It's much more precise.

entire year

Similar to "whole year", this highlights the full duration. It adds emphasis.

a year in duration

This phrase explicitly states the length of time. It's more verbose.

covering a year

Focuses on the extent or scope of the period. It highlights comprehensiveness.

FAQs

How is "year-long" used in a sentence?

Use "year-long" to describe something that lasts for an entire year. For example, "The company conducted a "year-long" study on consumer behavior".

What's the difference between "year-long" and "annual"?

"Year-long" describes the duration of something that lasts a year, while "annual" describes something that occurs or is calculated every year. An "annual" report is produced each year, but a "year-long" project lasts for twelve months.

What can I say instead of "year-long"?

You can use alternatives such as "one-year", "lasting a year", or "spanning a year", depending on the context.

Is "year long" (two words) correct?

While "year long" might be understood, the hyphenated form "year-long" is generally preferred when used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "a year-long project"). When used as an adverbial phrase (e.g., "all year long"), it is written as two words.