an ongoing history

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing history" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that is continuously developing or evolving over time. Example: "The museum's exhibit showcases an ongoing history of the region's cultural evolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But you cannot push aside an ongoing history of female oppression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The museum has what it needs, which is proof of an ongoing history of cultural violence, and that shameful object has already begun its permanent transmogrification into a museum piece.

The Washington Post

In Poland, the interactive public was already institutionalized, with an ongoing history of searches for factual truth and competition over interpretations of the events at hand.

University of Chicago

But the circumstances around his parents disappearing from the plane crash and all that is an ongoing history.

HuffPost

The library also invites you to contribute to an ongoing History Drive by donating your own photos of life in Glendale.

Los Angeles Times

This lead to an ongoing history of working with groups like Heal the Bay, Waterkeeper, Surfrider Foundation, Reefcheck and Save the Waves.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Its modern history is an ongoing story of achievement, resilience, failure, and adaptation to place, culture, and circumstance.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

In R Kelly's case, that matter is complicated by the history of black women feeling the need to protect problematic and even dangerous black men because our society has a long and ongoing history of brutally discriminating and perpetuating violence against them, and are aware of racist false accusations of rape black men have also historically dealt with.

Vice

In the greater-Caribbean, there has been a long and ongoing history of exploitation of sharks (see Table 1), which accelerated during the 20th century [11], [19].

Plosone

This seminar takes Berlin's Kulturforum as a microcosm of the ongoing history and life of the city, focusing on the role played by the arts and culture in city planning and the (re)imagining of Berlin's present and future.

Columbia University

Political corruption has a long and storied (and, sadly, ongoing) history in New York which reaches back farther than even Boss Tweed, so it'd be pretty easy to fill such a museum with exhibits, one assumes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an ongoing history" to emphasize the dynamic and evolving nature of a historical subject. For instance, when discussing social movements or cultural trends, this phrase can highlight their continuous development and impact over time.

Common error

Avoid using "an ongoing history" when referring to events that have definitively concluded. This phrase is most effective when describing subjects with a clear trajectory of continuous development or impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing history" functions as a noun phrase, where "ongoing" modifies "history." It describes a history that is not static but is in a continuous state of development. Ludwig confirms that it is commonly used to depict events, situations, or narratives that are continuously evolving. For example, "But the circumstances around his parents disappearing from the plane crash and all that is an ongoing history."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an ongoing history" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is used to describe something that is continuously developing or evolving over time. Ludwig's examples show that it appears most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. While not extremely common, the phrase is well-understood and can effectively convey the sense of continuous progression. When writing, consider using this phrase to emphasize the dynamic nature of a historical subject, but avoid applying it to events that have definitively concluded.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing narrative

Emphasizes the story aspect, focusing on the progression of events.

an evolving chronicle

Highlights the development and recording of events over time.

a developing storyline

Focuses on the unfolding nature of a particular series of events.

a progressing account

Stresses the forward movement and detailed reporting of events.

a persistent legacy

Highlights the lasting impact and endurance of historical events.

a sustained record

Emphasizes the maintenance and preservation of historical information.

a perpetual continuum

Focuses on the unending and seamless nature of historical progression.

an unceasing course of events

Stresses the continuous and uninterrupted flow of historical occurrences.

a never-ending story

Highlights the ongoing and potentially limitless nature of a narrative.

a constantly unfolding past

Emphasizes that history is still being revealed and understood.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "an ongoing history" in a sentence?

Use "an ongoing history" to describe situations or events that are continuously developing or evolving. For example, "The project documents "an ongoing history" of environmental conservation efforts in the region".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "an ongoing history"?

You can use alternatives like "a continuing narrative", "an evolving chronicle", or "a developing storyline", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "an ongoing history" to describe a past event?

It's more appropriate to use "an ongoing history" for events with a continuous, evolving nature. For a completed event, consider phrases like "the history of" or "a historical account of".

What distinguishes "an ongoing history" from "a historical record"?

"An ongoing history" emphasizes the continuous development and unfolding nature of events. "A historical record", on the other hand, typically refers to a static documentation of past events without the same implication of continuous evolution.