'annual' and 'annually'

Question

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English says that the meaning of the adjective 'annual' includes 'based on or calculated over a period of one year.' So, what about the adverb 'annually'? Can we use it in the same way as the adjective?

I mean, I'm pretty sure we can rewrite #1 for #2. Can we rewrite #1 for #3? Or, does it sound odd for some reason?

#1 The number of visitors to the site will exceed one million per year this year.
#2 The annual number of visitors to the site will exceed one million this year.
#3 The number of visitors to the site will exceed one million annually this year.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

It is not right to use "annual" or "annually" with "this year".

Seagull · Answer

AlpheccaStarsIt is not right to use "annual" or "annually" with "this year".

Thank your for you comment. I was not aware of that.

How about this?

#1 The number of visitors to the site will exceed one million per year for the first time.
#2 The annual number of visitors to the site will exceed one million for the first time.
#3 The number of visitors to the site will exceed one million annually for the first time.

CalifJim · Answer

seagull ... what about the adverb 'annually'? Can we use it in the same way as the adjective?

No. In general you can't use adjectives and adverbs the same way.

Your sentences do sound odd. The first sentence has the word "year" twice quite close together and that's what's odd, even though there is an interpretation of the sentence that makes some sense. Changing one of the occurrences of "year" to "annual" (in #2) and to "annually" (in #3) doesn't really help because an overall average over several years (million per year) can't occur in one year (this year), which is what the sentence seems to claim unless you read it several times to get the meaning. I know the sentence means that this average was eventually reached this year, but it doesn't make that point clearly enough.

CJ

Seagull · Answer

Thank you so much, CalifJim. I meant to say like this:

#1 The number of visitors to the site will exceed one million per year for the first time.
#2 The annual number of visitors to the site will exceed one million for the first time.
#3 The number of visitors to the site will exceed one million annually for the first time.

I'm very sorry for the trouble I caused you.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Here are some examples:

#1 The number of visitors to the site will exceed one million for the first time this year. (eg your site had more than 1 million visitors)
#2 The annual number of visitors has averaged one million over the past five years. This year was an above-average year.
#3. The number of visitors has averaged one million annually over the past five years. This year was an above-average year.
#4. The number of visitors has averaged one million per year over the past five years. This year was an above-average year.

And here is an example of "annual" with "this year"

Our annual fund-raising event will be held on April 15 this year.

CalifJim · Answer

seagullI meant to say (them) like this

Much better. They are all fine as you have written them. In #2 "annual" is a modifier of the noun "number"; in #3 "annually" is a modifier of the verb "exceed".

CJ

Seagull · Answer

Thank you very much indeed, AlpheccaStars.

What was in my mind at first is your sentence #1.
The number of visitors to the site will exceed one million for the first time this year.

Can we say that my sentences #2 and #3 have (almost) the same meaning as your sentence #1?
#2 The annual number of visitors to the site will exceed one million for the first time.
#3 The number of visitors to the site will exceed one million annually for the first time.

Seagull · Answer

Many thanks, CalifJim.
I have learned a lot.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

seagullCan we say that my sentences #2 and #3 have (almost) the same meaning as your sentence #1?

I interpret "annual" as something that happens every year; eg an annual event (it happens once every year); this Journal is published annually.
It can also be an average calculated over a period of several years eg "the average annual rainfall is 24 inches"
It can be calculated over a year (but also implies that it extends to other years) - my annual salary has increased with the rate of inflation.

But I seldom use it for an absolute number in a single 12-month period of time as you have in #2, and #3. Instead of "annual" I would say "this year." Your sentences are understandable, but they sound a bit odd.

Seagull · Answer

Now I understand it clearly.
I appreciate your kindness.

'annual' and 'annually'

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