for the last few years vs for the last couple of years

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They are interchangeable and convey a similar meaning of referring to a recent period of time. The choice between 'few' and 'couple' depends on the speaker's preference or the specific context.

Last updated: March 23, 2024

for the last few years

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a recent period of time.

This phrase is used to indicate a period of time that extends back from the present moment, typically more than two years but not a specific number.

Examples:

I have been working at this company for the last few years.
For the last few years, she has been studying abroad.
He has been living in that city for the last few years.

Show examples from the web [+]

The pharmaceutical policy has been a source of serious concern in Bulgaria for the last few years.
He's been working as a bouncer for the last few years all over town.
I looked at your I.D. pictures for the last few years.
All I need is access to some of your files for the last few years.
Maybe I'm seeing things more clearly than I have for the last few years.
Mind you, for the last few years... no one's been quite sure what it is he actually does.
He's been in and out of prison for the last few years.
We haven't seen very much of him for the last few years.
Been expanding out here for the last few years.
But for the last few years anyway.
Among other measures, this scheme also covers the type of production guarantees that Gdańsk Shipyard has been receiving for the last few years.
I don't have to worry about whether I let my dad down for the last few years, you know, because he let me down so much more.
If I had to summarise the way I feel, I would say I felt proud but dissatisfied, to use an expression that has been current in Sweden for the last few years.
As we know, Nigel has been doing an excellent job for the last few years on a temporary basis, so, a round of applause for Nigel.
What has the Commission been doing for the last few years?
Madam President, the introduction of Solvency II and of the change to the system for conducting and supervision of insurance activities which had been in preparation for the last few years is a move of great importance, especially in a time of financial crisis.
The recognition of the independence of Kosovo by the individual Member States or the European Union as a whole would be tantamount to amnesty for the leaders of the Albanian terrorists who have pursued ethnic cleansing against all non-Albanian communities in the region for the last few years.
For the last few years he worked alone.
For the last few years I've acted as... personal manservant to various members of the peerage.
For the last few years private investors have made attempts to re-open the mine but have been thwarted by local authorities.

Alternatives:

for the past few years
over the last few years
in the last few years
during the last few years
throughout the last few years

for the last couple of years

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a recent period of time.

This phrase is used to indicate a period of time that extends back from the present moment, typically around two years but not a specific number.

Examples:

I have been learning Spanish for the last couple of years.
For the last couple of years, they have been renovating their house.
She has been volunteering at the shelter for the last couple of years.

Show examples from the web [+]

Apparently Kenchington had been living in Salzburg for the last couple of years.
Father Frank and I live in the parish house, and we rented out the apartment to the church custodian for the last couple of years.
But I've been in New York for the last couple of years.
This is something that we've been working on for the last couple of years.
You know, I've been a nomad for the last couple of years, and I finally decided to quit fighting it and come back to my old pad, my home sweet home.
In particular, a project aimed at improving the capacity of surveillance along the southern border with Niger has been running for the last couple of years, to be followed by a similar one at the country's other borders.
For the last couple of years, I've been trying really hard to have a meaningful relationship.
For the last couple of years, you have told me what to do, who to date, what to say.
He's been living in a fantasy world for the last couple of years.
She picked up the dossier only for the last couple of years and has done an extremely good job, so I congratulate her.
I'D BEEN HOPING I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HANG ON HERE JUST FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS BUT NOW...
He's been starting for us for the last couple years.
He's been working undercover for the last couple years to infiltrate the Armenian mob.
I was going to exeter for the last couple years, but, I don't know.
He's been starting for us for the last couple years.
The last couple of years were tough for Alec.
We have seen in the last couple of years a lot of big hurricanes.
We have seen all too many accidents in the last couple of years.
He has certainly made progress over the last couple of years.
I understand that she's become a Christian, herself, over the last couple of years.

Alternatives:

for the past couple of years
over the last couple of years
in the last couple of years
during the last couple of years
throughout the last couple of years

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for the last few years vs for the last couple of years