years away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'years away' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate a period of time in the future. For example, "Our goal of becoming a successful business is still years away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

(Emancipation was 17 years away).

The New York Times

That is still years away.

The Economist

Production could be years away.

The New York Times

Armani was 11 years away.

The New York Times

Obviously, we're years away from that.

The New York Times - Sports

It is still probably two years away.

The New York Times - Science

A fully transparent market is years away.

The Economist

"And that could be 20 years away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Kepler-22b is 600 light-years away.

Science Magazine

It is 130 light-years away.

Wikipedia

It is located 1120 light-years away.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "years away" to clearly communicate that something will not happen soon and requires a significant amount of time before it becomes a reality.

Common error

Avoid using "years away" when there is a high degree of uncertainty whether the event will occur at all; it implies a higher degree of certainty regarding eventual occurrence than phrases like "might never happen."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "years away" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a point in the future. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples such as, "That is still "years away"".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "years away" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that an event or goal is a significant time in the future. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its versatility across multiple contexts. While adaptable to both formal and informal settings, it's most frequently encountered in news and media, and scientific discussions. Remember to use this expression when you want to emphasize that something is not immediate and will require considerable time to materialize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long way off

Focuses on the distance in time, implying significant time must pass before something occurs.

in the distant future

Emphasizes the futurity and remoteness of the event.

not for many years

Highlights the absence of something for an extended period.

a matter of years

Refers to a period quantified in years but still indefinite and future.

down the road

An idiomatic expression implying the event will happen later but is not immediate.

some time off

Indicates the event will occur later but doesn't indicate the specific duration.

in the fullness of time

Suggests an event will occur when conditions are fully favorable, emphasizing eventual timing.

at a later date

General expression implying a future occurrence without specifying a timeframe.

further down the line

Highlights the sequential aspect; something will occur later in a process or timeline.

in due course

Suggests the event will happen naturally and appropriately in time.

FAQs

How can I use "years away" in a sentence?

You can use "years away" to indicate that something is a significant time in the future. For example, "Commercial production is still "years away"" or "Human trials are still "years away"".

What are some alternatives to "years away"?

Some alternatives to "years away" include "a long way off", "in the distant future", or "not for many years". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "years away" versus "decades away"?

"Years away" is suitable when the timeframe is estimated to be several years, but less than ten. Use "decades away" when the timeframe is expected to be longer, spanning multiple decades. For instance, if a new technology is expected in 5 years, say "years away"; if it's expected in 30 years, use "decades away".

Is "years away" formal or informal?

"Years away" is generally considered a neutral expression and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's most common in news and general discussions.