in the last few years vs In the last years

The correct phrase is 'in the last few years.' The addition of 'few' is necessary to indicate a specific, limited time period. 'In the last years' is not a common or correct phrase in English.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 4084 views

in the last few years

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

This phrase is used to refer to a specific, limited time period that is close to the present. It indicates a timeframe within the recent past.

Examples:

In the last few years, technology has advanced rapidly.
I have visited several countries in the last few years.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: October 23, 2024

17 hours ago ... If you've been burgled in the last few years, how did they get into your home? Adulting. There has been a spate of burglaries around my way ...
May 22, 2009 ... What is the difference between "in the last few years" and "for the last few years" used in The present perfect tense?
Dec 24, 2023 ... What was the best horror movie in the last few years? My family celebrated Xmas early so I'm making tomorrow a movie day. Upvote 34. Downvote
May 23, 2019 ... In the last few years, Dr. Nancy Snyderman lost her father, left her job at NBC News, let go of her identity as a Journalist (capital J) and ...
Jul 1, 2024 ... In the last few years, I definitely got into board climbing, using mostly wooden holds for hands, focusing on the extremely physical part of ...
Missed too much of this in the last few years. Phys, swim, chill. Good for the soul. Thanks for all the continued kind comments. Considering next...
Dec 3, 2010 ... Hello, Can you tell me if the expression "in the last few years" must always go with a perfect tense? Thank you for you help :-)
Mar 16, 2023 ... 342 likes, 83 comments - leeheyhey on March 16, 2023: "If we've spoken in the last few years, there's a good chance I've mentioned NUVET ...
Nov 8, 2016 ... I've lived more in the last few years than most people have in their lifetimes and I'm thankful to TESOL for providing me with the confidence ...

Alternatives:

in recent years
over the past few years
in the past few years
in recent times
in the recent past

In the last years

This phrase is not correct in English. It lacks the word 'few,' which is necessary to specify a limited time period.

Show examples from the web [+]

In the last years of his life, Karl Marx expanded his research in new directions—studying recent anthropological discoveries, analyzing communal forms of ...

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in the last few years vs In the last years