【问】 In years past they never would have done that.

句中的In years past是否应改为In past years?

【答】 形容词past作定语时，如同desired，required，following一样，既可以前置，也可以后置。下面列举一些past作前置定语和作后置定语的实例：

1. Industrial management is the aspect of business management that has been most promi-nent in the United States for the past eighty years. (TOEFL，1987.5)

工业管理是过去80年里在美国显得最为突出的经济管理的分支。

2. I’ve not been feeling very well for the past few days.(LDCE)

在过去的几天里，我一直感觉不大舒服。

3. This had been a war zone for some time past. (LDCE)

前些时候这里曾是作战区。

4. in years past(CGEL)

在过去的年代里

(参见desired，required，following)