years of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'years of time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of years, for example: "These past few years of time have been the most difficult of my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We lost valuable time – years of time.

The Guardian - Opinion

(repeat) A billion years of time and toil are etched in these old hills.

The New York Times

The geologic history of Earth covers more than 4.5 billion years of time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the end, the album "was recorded over maybe nine years of time," he said.

The New Yorker

It was also Aurora's lifeline, buying the city 20 or 30 years of time.

The New York Times - Magazine

So, a rational person might ask, why go through all the months and years of time and trouble?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

A total of 4,276 children contributed 7,449 person-years of time to the study.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

General estimating equations were chosen to account for the longitudinal nature of the study; most participants contributed 2 person-years of time.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Our subjects, after a documented eGFR, were followed for about 200,675 person-years of time between January 2002 and July 2005.

Diabetes Care

That same year, Charter rebranded its pay-TV and internet service as Spectrum to mark a fresh start after years of Time Warner Cable foibles.

Los Angeles Times

But let's hope the rapturous reception at Cannes for his first film in eight years, 'Of Time and the City', bodes well for the 62-year-old.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "years of time" to emphasize the duration and cumulative effect of a period, especially when discussing effort, change, or long-term trends. For example, "The project required many "years of time" and dedication."

Common error

Avoid using "years of time" in contexts where "years" alone suffices. For instance, instead of saying "It took several "years of time" to complete the study", simply state "It took several years to complete the study" to maintain conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "years of time" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an adverbial modifier to emphasize the duration of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English, reinforcing its acceptance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "years of time" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that emphasizes duration. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it's best employed when highlighting the length or cumulative effect of a period measured in years. It's prevalent across various contexts including News & Media, Academia, and Science. To maintain conciseness, avoid redundancy by using "years" alone when appropriate. Alternatives include "period of years", "many years", and "lengthy period".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

period of years

Focuses on the span of years as a defined duration.

several years

Indicates an indefinite quantity of years, more than a few.

number of years

Emphasizes a specific count of years.

many years

Simply denotes a large quantity of years.

a stretch of years

Implies a continuous and unbroken period of years.

extended duration

Highlights the length of time, without being specific to years.

lengthy period

Indicates a long, unspecified duration.

long timeframe

Highlights the chronological aspect and the duration it takes.

considerable time

Emphasizes that the amount of time is noteworthy.

years passing

Focuses on the progression and passage of years.

FAQs

How can I use "years of time" in a sentence?

You can use "years of time" to emphasize the length of a process or the duration of an event. For instance, "The research required many "years of time" and resources" or "She dedicated "years of time" to mastering her craft."

What are some alternatives to saying "years of time"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "period of years", "many years", or "lengthy period".

Is it grammatically correct to say "years of time"?

Yes, the phrase "years of time" is grammatically correct, though it can sometimes be redundant. It's often used for emphasis or to specify that the time is measured in years.

When is it best to use "years of time" instead of just "years"?

Use "years of time" when you want to highlight the cumulative effort or prolonged duration of something. For example, "The monument was built over "years of time" demonstrating the commitment of the community."