years since

USAGE SUMMARY

"years since" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time since a past event or occurrence. For example, "It's been three years since I graduated from college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has been 10 years since.

The New York Times

It's three years since your gone.

The New York Times

"Forty years since 'Jaws,' " Fischer said.

The New Yorker

… 60 Years since Hugh Hefner founded Playboy.

The New York Times

Monday marked 31 years since he died.

The New York Times - Sports

The years since then Have aged them.

The New Yorker

It's been nine years since then.

The New York Times

Seven years since the diagnosis.

The New York Times

It's been years since I was mugged.

The New York Times

It's been years since that happened, though".

The New York Times

It's been 18 years since Senna's death.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase “years since”, ensure the context clearly establishes the reference event or date. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when describing events within the timeframe indicated by “years since”. Maintain consistent past or present perfect tense to accurately reflect the ongoing relevance or completion of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "years since" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the duration of time elapsed from a specific past event. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "years since" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that specifies the duration elapsed from a past event. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage and widespread acceptance across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, and scientific publications. When writing, ensure clarity by clearly stating the reference event. While alternatives like "time elapsed since" and "since then" exist, "years since" offers precision when indicating the exact number of years. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for various formal and informal writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

since then

A more concise way to refer to the period after a past event, commonly used in informal contexts.

time elapsed since

Focuses on the measurement of time that has passed, emphasizing the duration rather than the starting point.

period since

Highlights a specific duration that has occurred following an event, often used in formal contexts.

time frame since

Specifies the interval beginning from a past event, emphasizing a defined duration.

interval since

Emphasizes the gap in time between a past occurrence and the present.

following

Indicates what came after a specific event in a chronological sequence.

subsequent to

Highlights the events that occurred after a specific point in time, often in a formal or legal context.

in the wake of

Focuses on the events or consequences that directly followed a significant occurrence.

post

A prefix indicating after a specific event, commonly used in technical or medical contexts.

from that time onward

Emphasizes the continuous progression of time from a specific point in the past.

FAQs

How do I accurately use "years since" in a sentence?

To accurately use "years since", clearly state the event or date being referenced. For example, "It has been five years since the company was founded."

What are some alternatives to "years since" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "time elapsed since", "period since", or simply "since then".

Is it grammatically correct to say "year since" instead of "years since"?

No, it's not grammatically correct to say "year since" when referring to a period longer than one year. Use "year since" only when exactly one year has passed.

How does the context affect the choice between "years since" and "since then"?

While both "years since" and "since then" refer to time passed after an event, "years since" is more specific about the duration, whereas "since then" is a more general reference to the period following the event.