years is approaching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "years is approaching" is not correct in English.
It should be "year is approaching" or "years are approaching" depending on the context. You can use it when discussing the upcoming arrival of a specific year or multiple years in a future context. Example: "As we near the end of 2023, the new year is approaching quickly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The U.S. airline crash rate over the past ten years is approaching 0percentt," Casner writes, in large part because pilots, in addition to training themselves not to make mistakes, also employ various systems designed to combat error.

The New Yorker

The X-Men film series, spanning eight films (soon to be nine with the release of X-Men: Apocalypse) and 16 years, is approaching James Bond and Star Trek levels of longevity through a deft combination of traditional sequels, spinoffs, prequels and mind-bending time travel.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Yates, a pilot for more than 30 years, was approaching the Martha's Vineyard airport when his turboprop airplane crashed into the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, about a mile from the airport.

The New York Times

The day that he arrived back in Vietnam was a day when many Viet kieu, or Vietnamese living abroad, returned home as well as the Vietnamese New Years was approaching.

Huffington Post

A potentially important difference between the 4th and 5th years is that the 5th years are approaching employment and are more focused on the skills that they will require.

BMC Medical Education

"The New Year is approaching, Miriam — traditionally a time of new beginnings.

The New Yorker

Luckily for these unfortunate forgottens, New Year is approaching, a time when, despite the intuitions of the calendar, our thoughts often turn to the past.

The New York Times

"The increased activity is more about the fact that the end of the year is approaching and capital market activity has been so limited to date".

The New York Times

The Jewish New Year is approaching — will you be turning to your great-aunt's brisket recipe, or this one from the chef Michael Solomonov, who braises the meat in pomegranate juice?

The New York Times

Worldwide, the number of text messages sent each year is approaching one trillion, and the major wireless companies report that users now do more texting than talking on their cell phones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The end of the year is approaching and between visiting friends and family and celebrating the holidays, your taxes may be the last thing on your mind.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure subject-verb agreement when discussing time. Use "year is approaching" for a single year and "years are approaching" for multiple years.

Common error

Avoid using "years is approaching"; it's grammatically incorrect. Remember to use the plural verb form "are" when referring to "years".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "years is approaching" is intended to function as a statement about time, indicating the nearness of a period of years. However, Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically incorrect due to subject-verb disagreement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "years is approaching" aims to express the idea of a period of years drawing near, it's grammatically incorrect; the correct form should be "year is approaching" or "years are approaching", depending on the context. Ludwig AI flags this error. Although examples appear in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, the grammatical inaccuracy diminishes its effectiveness. Therefore, using grammatically correct alternatives like "the year is drawing near" or "the years are drawing near" is advisable to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The year is drawing near

Focuses on the single year getting closer.

The years are drawing near

Refers to multiple years approaching.

The year is fast approaching

Emphasizes the speed at which the year is arriving.

The end of the year is coming

Specifically refers to the conclusion of the current year.

The new year is on the horizon

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate the approaching new year.

The deadline is nearing

Switches from years to another type of time frame to highlight nearing events

The event is getting closer

Uses a more general term 'event' instead of 'year'.

The time is approaching

Abstracting away from a specific year.

The moment is nigh

Uses more formal language to evoke the near arrival.

The future is unfolding

Talks about the sense of future, but less focused on time.

FAQs

How should I correctly use the phrase involving approaching years?

Ensure subject-verb agreement. Use "year is approaching" for a singular year and "years are approaching" for a plural context.

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "years is approaching"?

Consider using "the year is drawing near" or "the years are drawing near" depending on whether you're referring to a single year or multiple years.

When is it appropriate to say "year is approaching" versus "years are approaching"?

"Year is approaching" is appropriate when referring to a specific single year, like "The end of the year is approaching". "Years are approaching" is used for a period of multiple years.

Is "years is approaching" considered formal or informal language?

The phrase "years is approaching" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal contexts. Use correct alternatives like "the year is approaching" or "the years are approaching".