around a decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around a decade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an approximate duration of ten years, often in contexts discussing time periods or historical events. Example: "The technology has evolved significantly over the last around a decade, leading to major advancements in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It means supplies are the tightest they have been in around a decade.

Independent

There is a real chance that we will have Lehman around a decade after its bankruptcy.

The New York Times

The Jeffries case also suggests that the incubation period of vCJD may be around a decade.

The Economist

I've been recommending CCleaner for around a decade, so it has stood the test of time.

The Guardian - Tech

Belmokhtar's scarred face has been known to western security services for around a decade.

The Guardian

When complete, hopefully in around a decade, they could be the world's single largest source of data.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Its only advantage in the pensions battle has been that its workers tend to retire later than those in other countries around a decade after those in France.

The Economist

Around a decade later, during a short period in 1911-1912, she directed six films of which only one survives.

Columbia University

Around a decade ago, I spent a few days piecing together a 1TB networked storage device.

TechCrunch

Having been in touch for several decades, when he became ill around a decade ago – caused initially by a series of minor heart attacks – he disappeared from view.

Independent

The two fly-halves first shared a rugby pitch around a decade ago.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around a decade", ensure the context supports an approximation. If precision is required, specify the exact number of years or use a more specific timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "around a decade" when referring to events with precisely known durations. If the period is exactly ten years, state it directly instead of using an approximation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a decade" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the duration of time. It typically modifies a verb or verb phrase, specifying how long an action or state has lasted. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around a decade" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a period of approximately ten years. As confirmed by Ludwig, the expression is suitable for general use. While the frequency of usage is common particularly in News & Media sources, its register is neutral, and it may be substituted for more exact numbers in technical writing. When greater accuracy is required, alternative phrases such as "approximately ten years" or "about ten years" may also be employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately ten years

Uses "approximately" for a more formal and precise tone, specifying the duration.

about ten years

Replaces "around" with "about" for a slightly more informal feel.

roughly a decade

Employs "roughly" to indicate an estimated period.

in the last ten years

Focuses on the past ten years, emphasizing a retrospective view.

over the past decade

Highlights a period that has recently concluded.

a period of ten years

More formal and descriptive, emphasizing the duration itself.

ten years or so

Adds "or so" for a more casual and less precise estimation.

ten-year period

Adjectival phrase specifying the length of a certain period.

in the neighborhood of ten years

More colloquial and less common way to describe the time.

spanning a decade

Focuses on an event or process that lasts for ten years.

FAQs

How do I use "around a decade" in a sentence?

Use "around a decade" to indicate a time frame of approximately ten years. For example, "The company has been developing this technology for "around a decade"."

What can I say instead of "around a decade"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately ten years", "about ten years", or "roughly a decade depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "over around a decade"?

While "around a decade" is acceptable, "over the past decade" or "in the last decade" are generally clearer and more common ways to express a similar timeframe.

What is the difference between "around a decade ago" and "a decade ago"?

"Around a decade ago" indicates an approximate timeframe, while "a decade ago" implies a more specific reference point ten years in the past. The phrase "around a decade ago" adds an element of uncertainty or estimation to the time being referenced.