years in and out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "years in and out" is not correct; the correct expression is "year in and year out." You can use it to describe something that happens consistently over many years, emphasizing the regularity of the occurrence.
Example: "She has been volunteering at the shelter year in and year out, showing her dedication to the cause."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

HuffPost

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Follow along, while I provide you with some of the best tips acquired while spending years in and out of airplanes, trains, shuttle buses, cabs, and hotels.

HuffPost

He spent five years in and out of rehab.

The Guardian - Music

He spent 10 years in and out of rehab.

The Guardian

Some of the photographers spent years in and out of coal mines.

The New Yorker

His long years in and out of prison began around 1987.

The New York Times

He spent the ensuing 20 years in and out of court.

Independent

She spent many years in and out of mental health institutions and prisons.

The Guardian

He spent almost two years in and out of surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

She ends up spending the next five years in and out of hospitals.

Stanford University

He spent the next six years in and out of psychiatric wards around New York City.

The New York Times

Mr. Jones has spent the last 13 years in and out of prison.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the grammatically questionable phrase “years in and out”, opt for clearer and more accepted alternatives like “on and off for years” or “intermittently over the years” to convey the intended meaning of recurring activity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase “years in and out” without careful consideration. This phrase is often perceived as grammatically incorrect. Ensure your writing is clear and accurate by choosing established expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "years in and out" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate a recurring or intermittent activity over a period of years. Despite its common appearance in various contexts, Ludwig AI highlights that the phrase is grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

HuffPost

15%

The Guardian

9%

Less common in

The New York Times

9%

Vice

3%

BBC

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "years in and out" is used to express intermittent or cyclical involvement over a period of years. Despite its relatively high frequency, Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically incorrect, suggesting that alternatives like "on and off for years" or "intermittently over the years" are more appropriate. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its usage tends toward the informal side. Therefore, while common, writers should exercise caution and consider more grammatically sound alternatives, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on and off for years

Highlights the intermittent nature of the activity over several years.

year after year

Emphasizes repetition annually, differing by focusing on the yearly recurrence.

intermittently over the years

Formally describes actions with interruptions, replacing the informal structure.

periodically throughout the years

Similar to intermittently, but suggests more structured intervals.

at various times over the years

Focuses on different moments within the years, diverging from continuous action.

from time to time over the years

Stresses the occasional nature of events within the extended period.

repeatedly over the years

Focuses on the recurrence of the event, omitting the 'in and out' aspect.

throughout the years

Highlights the duration of the action within the specified time.

for several years

Simplifies by stating the duration, lacking the cyclical implication.

over a span of years

Emphasizes the timeframe during which events occurred, not the cyclical pattern.

FAQs

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "years in and out"?

While "years in and out" is commonly used, it is not grammatically correct. Alternatives such as "on and off for years" or "intermittently over the years" are more appropriate.

Is "years in and out" considered formal or informal language?

Although relatively common, "years in and out" leans toward informal usage. For formal writing, consider options like "periodically throughout the years" or "at various times over the years" to maintain a professional tone.

How can I use "on and off for years" instead of "years in and out"?

Replace "years in and out" directly with "on and off for years" to indicate intermittent activity. For example, instead of "He was years in and out of rehab", say "He was on and off in rehab for years".

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

Repeatedly over the years emphasizes the recurrence of an action, whereas "years in and out" implies a cyclical pattern of involvement and disengagement. While related, the former focuses on repetition, and the latter focuses on a fluctuating state.