through the years vs through years

Both "through the years" and "through years" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Through the years" is a common phrase used to refer to a period of time that has passed, while "through years" is less common and would need additional context to make sense.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1044 views

through the years

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

This phrase is used to talk about the passage of time, often to reflect on changes or experiences over a long period.

Examples:

Through the years, he became wiser and more experienced.
Through the years, their friendship grew stronger.
Through the years, technology has advanced rapidly.

Show examples from the web [+]

Mr. Bennett had so many clients through the years.
Single images and feelings that stay with you down through the years.
His shipping contacts have remained loyal through the years.
Cause look at all the stuff he's bought through the years.
No. I've thought of you through the years.
I know we've had our differences through the years, but... thank you, pussycat.
Well, I kept hearing things through the years.
That's what keeps a relationship going through the years.
Dad had multiple offers through the years, and he turned them all down.
I suppose I should start out by apologizing, which I've had to do a lot through the years for George.
And here's a list of Mr Tufnell's professional activities through the years.
Lord Tubbington, I know that through the years we haven't always gotten along.
It was a love that sustained us through the years.
I just picked it up around, through the years, like a lot of things.
It has undergone many changes through the years and has always been the subject of lively discussions.
The power acquired by the EP down through the years has served only to strengthen Europe as a whole.
This omission has doubtless led to substantial additional costs for the EU through the years, which is more than regrettable.
After all the despicable things J.R. did to you through the years, I would think you'd have taught your son better than this.
See, I realized through the years that... that, just like a computer, that th-the, the Intersect can overheat.
"He's learned through the years how to go on manipulating the situation."

Alternatives:

over the years
over time
across the years
across time
in the course of years

through years

This phrase is correct but less common. It would require additional context to make sense.

This phrase could be used in a poetic or literary context where the omission of the article 'the' adds a stylistic or rhythmic effect.

Show examples from the web [+]

I can't put you and the kids through years of taking care of me.
Alex, I've been through years of training, Every kind of training, courtesy of division.
A technique I have developed through years of highly focused research.
I contracted it through years of habitual smoking.
We have lived through years of separation and turmoil.
I went through years of vitamins and supplements,
Railroad stopped going through years ago.
He was made one through years of systematic abuse.
He even keeps his ritual to an established timeline, a so-called perfect methodology evolved through years of practice.
He won't he to suffer through years of ALS.
I didn't have to go through years of school to help that, I'm with you.
We are merely talking to each other with the honor, respect, and admiration that we've earned through years of serving together.
I contracted it through years of habitual smoking.
Women have borne the brunt of tragedy in Afghanistan through years of war.
I mean, she suffered through years of marriage and a difficult divorce, rather than do the one thing that she should have done.
Instead of waiting through years of planning studies and computer models to get something done, we've done it with paint and temporary materials.
Unencumbered by clinical responsibilities, unwilling to take no for an answer from those bureaucracies that tend to crush patients, and with an unparalleled ability for information retrieval honed through years of using Google.
So we can suffer through years of pain trying to adapt like your son has?
That's why you put me through years of training?
Alex, I've been through years of training, Every kind of training, courtesy of division.

Alternatives:

throughout the years
during the years
across the years
over the years
in the course of years

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through the years vs through years