years

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'years' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time that is measured in years. For example, "I have been working at this company for five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But Greek voters are equally certain that it's unfair for them to suffer years of slim government budgets and high unemployment in order to repay foreign banks and richer northern neighbors, which have reaped outsized benefits from closer European integration.

The New York Times

"Determining where this capital is spent needs to be an important issue for investors, otherwise there is going to be a lot of capital wasted in coming years on developing fossil fuel reserves that cannot be burned".

The Guardian

I know one place where for 200 years there were these trees, I painted them and then one day they were all chopped down.

The Guardian - Arts

And I know she wants it because we've been together for 20 years".

The Guardian - Music

"But I look at people who have been in politics for five, 10, 15 years, and muck up, you see them muck up and think, 'You guys are supposed to be pro!' "People that have gone to Oxbridge, had thousands spent on their education, and I mean they are royally mucking up".

The Guardian - Sport

However, a South Korean defence official said separately that North Korea could develop a fully operational submarine with ballistic missiles within two or three years.

The Guardian

North Korea's recent test-firing of a ballistic missile from a submarine was "very serious and concerning", South Korea said on Monday, with one defence official suggesting Pyongyang could have a fully operational platform in two or three years.

The Guardian

For the first 12 years it was the plain old Terry Wogan Show and you were all Twits, the Terry Wogan is Tops Society.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"There is... a total lack of clarity as to how a government would proceed to unravel a relationship that has developed in complexity over more than 40 years.

The Guardian

"We've been selling print books for 15 years and Kindle books for less than four years".

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Specifically, the Nasdaq excludes anyone who was employed the company in the past three years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "years", ensure the context clearly indicates a plural timeframe. Be specific where possible (e.g., "five years" instead of "several years" if the exact duration is known).

Common error

Avoid using "year" when referring to multiple years. The singular form should only be used when referring to a single year. For example, use "five years" not "five year".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "years" is that of a plural noun, representing a quantity of years. As a noun, it often functions as the object of a preposition (e.g., "for many years") or as part of a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "years" functions as a plural noun to indicate a span of multiple years. As Ludwig AI validates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. When using "years", be mindful of the number (plural vs. singular) and ensure that the context is clear. Alternatives like "period of time" or "extended duration" can be employed for variety. Understanding the proper usage and context of "years" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several years

Indicates more than two years, providing a less precise quantity.

a number of years

Similar to "several years", suggesting an unspecified quantity of years.

in the past few years

Highlights a recent period measured in years, emphasizing recency.

many years

Emphasizes a large, unspecified number of years.

period of time

General phrase indicating a duration, less specific than "years".

over the years

Focuses on changes or developments happening across a time duration.

extended duration

Emphasizes the length of time, suitable when the exact number of years is not crucial.

long time span

Similar to "extended duration", highlighting the temporal extent.

throughout the years

Implies something happening consistently across multiple years.

for a long period

A more generic way to indicate a considerable amount of time, which may or may not be literally years.

FAQs

How do I use "years" in a sentence?

Use "years" to indicate a duration of multiple years. For instance, "I have worked here for five "years"" or "The project took several "years" to complete."

What are some alternatives to using the word "years"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "period of time", "extended duration", or "a number of "years"". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "year" instead of "years" when referring to a duration?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. Use "year" only for a single year; for multiple "years", use the plural form, "years".

What's the difference between "in recent years" and "over the years"?

"In recent "years"" emphasizes a timeframe close to the present, while "over the "years"" refers to a longer, more extended period. For example, "In recent "years", technology has advanced rapidly," versus "Over the "years", traditions have evolved."