years to come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "years to come" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a future period of time, for example: "The United Nations will continue to work to build a more peaceful world for years to come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And for several years to come".

The New York Times - Sports

You're bound for years to come.

The New York Times

More will vanish in years to come.

The New York Times - Arts

Looking forward to wonderful years to come!

University of California, Berkeley

Kavanaugh's accuser waited years to come forward.

The Washington Post

What will happen in years to come?

The Guardian - Opinion

Probably will be for years to come.

The Guardian - Sport

Here are the years to come.

The New Yorker

"Regulation takes years to come in.

The Guardian - Opinion

Putin will be the topic for years to come.

University of California, Berkeley

I hope it becomes a trend in years to come.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "years to come" when you want to emphasize a span of time, rather than a specific future date or event. It suggests a continuous period of time in the future.

Common error

Don't use "years to come" when referring to events expected in the near future (e.g., next month). It implies a longer timeframe than what's immediately ahead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "years to come" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a future time frame. It specifies the duration over which an action, event, or state will persist or be relevant. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

28%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "years to come" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a future period, as verified by Ludwig. It functions as an adverbial phrase, emphasizing a long-term impact or duration. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "years to come", ensure it aligns with the intended timeframe, avoiding overuse for short-term events. Alternatives like "in the coming years" or "in the future" can offer nuanced meaning depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the coming years

Implies that the years are approaching or are on their way.

in future years

Directly specifies future years, similar in meaning but with a slightly different emphasis.

in the following years

Similar to "in the subsequent years" emphasizing a sequence of years.

in the years ahead

Emphasizes a progression of years into the future.

in the subsequent years

Highlights a sequence of years that follow a specific event or period.

in the time to come

A slightly more formal or literary way of expressing the future.

in the future

This is a more general phrase indicating a time that is to come. It lacks the sense of an extended duration.

as time goes on

Focuses on the passage of time and what will happen during that period.

down the line

Indicates a point in time that is further away than the immediate future.

in due course

This is a more general phrase indicating that something will happen at an appropriate time in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "years to come" in a sentence?

You can use "years to come" to refer to a period of time in the future. For example, "This decision will affect our company for "years to come"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "years to come"?

Alternatives include "in the future", "in the years ahead", or "in the coming years", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "coming years to come"?

No, "coming years to come" is redundant. It's better to use either "coming years" or ""years to come"".

What's the difference between "years to come" and "in the future"?

"Years to come" often implies a more extended and continuous period than "in the future", which can refer to a shorter or more general time ahead.