across many years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across many years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a duration of time that spans several years, often in contexts discussing experiences, changes, or developments. Example: "The research findings have evolved significantly across many years of study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Across many years and many visits to the country, I'd never spotted one before.

The New York Times

By design, development of the area will unfold across many years and several economic cycles.

The New York Times

That last line sounded tiresomely familiar to someone who has watched the police in action at parades and large political demonstrations across many years.

The New York Times

When her father's brother visits (he's ostensibly engaged to her aunt), a betrayal ensues that reverberates across many years and two continents.

The New York Times - Books

The cost would be high, $60 billion or more, but in theory could be spread across many years and tens of millions of electrical customers.

The New York Times

Across many years and many cultures, girls have long been the demographic group that most gravitates toward playing at "real life".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"This is the most outrageous use of the 'state secrets' legislation I have come across in many years," said Arlette Laduguie, a China specialist with Amnesty International in London, who has seen the verdict.

The New York Times

And we have been fighting to get that message across for many years.

The Guardian

They would then invest the money they owed the players with Madoff and make a profit across the many years of the contract payments.

The New York Times - Sports

Tom Petty's music, so adept at bringing pleasure to so many people across so many years, had become a cultural signifier for the national moment in a way I felt quite sure he never imagined or intended.

The New Yorker

Kevin Winters of KRW Law, which is acting on a pro-bono basis for Rowlands and other relatives of the victims, said: "The Birmingham Six case had a retraumatising effect on relatives of the victims because the litigation process was drawn out across so many years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing long-term trends or developments, use "across many years" to clearly indicate a progression or change occurring over a significant duration. This helps convey a sense of evolution and sustained impact.

Common error

Avoid using "across many years" when referring to specific, isolated events that do not have a sustained impact. Instead, use more precise phrasing to describe the timing and duration of these events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across many years" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the time span over which an action, event, or state occurs. As Ludwig AI shows, it adds a temporal dimension to the statement, emphasizing the duration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "across many years" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates a prolonged duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed to emphasize continuity, development, or sustained impact over a significant time span. The analysis reveals its frequent use in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While various alternatives exist, such as "over many years" or "throughout the years", the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. Best practice involves using "across many years" to describe long-term trends, while avoiding it for isolated events. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over a span of years

Emphasizes the duration and the period involved.

throughout the years

Suggests events occurring at various points during the period.

in the course of many years

Highlights progression and unfolding of events.

for numerous years

Focuses on the quantity of years.

during a long period

Highlights the length of the time period.

spanning several years

Highlights the length of the period being covered.

across a long duration

Emphasizes length of time.

over an extended period

Similar to "during a long period", emphasizing the timeframe's prolonged nature.

for a considerable time

Emphasizes the significance of the duration.

in the long run

Focuses on ultimate outcome after the extended period, rather than duration itself.

FAQs

What does "across many years" mean?

The phrase "across many years" indicates that something happens or exists during a long period of time, usually implying a continuous or repeated action over several years.

How can I use "across many years" in a sentence?

You can use "across many years" to describe processes, changes, or influences that occur over an extended period, as in, "The research findings have evolved significantly "across many years" of study."

What are some alternatives to "across many years"?

Alternatives include "over many years", "throughout the years", or "for many years", each carrying a slightly different nuance regarding the continuity and extent of the period.

Is there a difference between "across many years" and "over many years"?

While both phrases indicate a duration, "across many years" might imply a wider scope of impact or influence, whereas "over many years" often simply refers to the passage of time.