years in operation

USAGE SUMMARY

"years in operation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the duration of a business or organization's existence. For example: "The company has been in operation for 10 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite the fact that these units are fairly new (two years in operation at time of evaluation), some operating problems were experienced.

Desalination

After 17 years in operation, the restaurant closed in 2014.

The New York Times - Tech

Most were spirited out over the next few years in Operation Magic Carpet on American aircraft.

The Economist

After nearly 37 years in operation, Germany's oldest atomic reactor was shut down.

The New York Times

[McBrooklyn] After 31 years in operation, the Flatbush Food Co-op is branching out.

The New York Times

But after five years in operation, few visitors and mounting debt, the museum quietly closed last year.

The New York Times - Arts

The site went offline on April 25 after two years in operation and a growing torrent of protest.

The New York Times - Tech

Talk story about the Teheran, a Persian-Italian-American restaurant that is closing after some 30 years in operation at 45 West Forty-fourth Street.

The New Yorker

During their first two years in operation, Mr. Perry's cameras led to the arrest of a whopping 26 people — that's $154,000 per arrest.

The New York Times

In July, the company made plans to liquidate after 40 years in operation and will close nearly 400 remaining stores by this fall.

The New York Times

A terrible month for the British steel industry as SSI's loss-making plant at Redcar on Teesside closed after almost 100 years in operation.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a company or organization's longevity, use "years in operation" to clearly indicate the duration of its active functioning. This phrase is widely understood and suitable for various contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "year of operation" when referring to a duration. "Year of operation" refers to a specific year within the operational period, not the length of time the entity has been operating. For example, avoid saying 'The company had a successful year of operation', but instead say 'The company had a successful run of "years in operation"'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "years in operation" functions as a noun phrase that specifies a duration. It is used to describe the length of time an entity has been active or functioning. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "years in operation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes the duration of activity for a business, organization, or system. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and applicable across various contexts. It is most commonly found in news articles and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the duration of active functioning, avoiding confusion with the date of establishment. For alternative wording, consider using phrases like ""years of service"" or ""years active"", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

years in business

Specifically refers to the duration a commercial enterprise has been running.

period of operation

Emphasizes the time frame during which something is functioning.

years active

Simplifies the phrase to focus solely on the period of activity.

years of service

Focuses on the period of providing a service rather than just being active.

time in service

Similar to "years of service", but can also refer to equipment or systems.

years of existence

Highlights the length of time something has existed, which can be broader than just operational activity.

duration of service

Highlights the continuous provision of a service over a specified period.

years since establishment

Emphasizes the time elapsed since the founding or creation of something.

length of activity

A more general way to describe how long something has been active.

operational lifespan

Uses a more technical term to describe the active duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "years in operation" to describe how long a business, organization, or system has been active. For example, "The restaurant has been in operation for 20 years."

What are some alternatives to "years in operation"?

Alternatives include "years of service", "years active", or "time in service". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "years in operation" or "years of operation"?

"Years in operation" is the more common and natural phrasing. "Years of operation" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

How does the meaning of "years in operation" differ from "years established"?

"Years established" refers specifically to the time since something was founded or created, while "years in operation" refers to the time it has been actively functioning. A company could be established for longer than it has been in operation.