as the decades progressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as the decades progressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a change or development over a period of decades, often in historical or analytical contexts. Example: "As the decades progressed, societal norms began to shift significantly, reflecting changes in values and beliefs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Then as the decades progressed, glaciers farther southward began to shrink too.

Science Magazine

As the decades progressed, differing interpretations of the character emerged.

Wikipedia

Zurich-based KHW was a lifelong factory worker by trade, but by nature he was a portrait photographer who zoned in on his erotic obsessions, consistently male, who changed along with fashion itself from teenagers to rockers to bikers as the decades progressed.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As the decade progressed, there were other gains.

The New York Times

As the decade progressed, accounts by other writers became, like the populace, louder and more cynical.

The New York Times

(As the decade progressed, Rothko increasingly declined to title his works).

The New York Times - Arts

As the decade progressed, Allen continued to release at least one film per year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the decade progressed, the reputation of this German-born Austrian director increased almost exponentially.

The Guardian - Film

But all was not luxe, calme and volupté among designers as the decade progressed.

The New York Times - Arts

As the decade progressed, Moss's fame grew and her Calvin Klein persona became three dimensional.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Although news coverage brought increasingly disturbing reports as the decade progressed, prime-time programming presented an entirely different picture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as the decades progressed" to illustrate gradual transformations or developments over an extended period, particularly when contrasting earlier and later states. For example, "As the decades progressed, the city's skyline underwent significant changes."

Common error

Avoid using "as the decades progressed" when referring to periods shorter than two decades. This phrase is most effective when describing changes that unfold over many years, not just a few. It's preferable to use phrases like "in recent years" or "over the past few years".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the decades progressed" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when and how something happened over a period of time. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in setting a temporal context for events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science & Research

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as the decades progressed" serves as a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to illustrate developments over a significant time. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable, albeit relatively rare. Its primary function is to provide temporal context and highlight the gradual nature of changes. While appropriate for diverse registers, it appears more frequently in News & Media, Science & Research and Wiki contexts, signalling its suitability for analytical descriptions. To ensure accurate usage, avoid applying it to short periods or using colloquial contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the progressing decades

Reorders the original words while maintaining the core meaning but emphasizing the continuous progression.

with the passage of decades

Focuses on the passing of time, replacing "progressed" with a more general term.

as time went on over the decades

Breaks down the phrase into simpler terms emphasizing gradual change.

in the ensuing decades

Uses a more formal tone, indicating the decades that followed a specific point.

as the years turned into decades

Emphasizes the shift from shorter to longer periods of time.

during those advancing decades

Highlights the advancement or forward movement of the decades.

through the evolving decades

Emphasizes the evolving or changing nature of the decades.

in the decades that followed

Specifies a time period after a certain event.

over the course of decades

Highlights the duration or span of multiple decades.

with each passing decade

Emphasizes the incremental changes occurring in each successive decade.

FAQs

How can I use "as the decades progressed" in a sentence?

Use "as the decades progressed" to describe changes or developments that occur gradually over many decades. For example, "As the decades progressed, technology became increasingly integrated into daily life."

What are some alternatives to "as the decades progressed"?

Alternatives include "over the progressing decades", "with the passage of decades", or "in the ensuing decades". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "as the decades progressed" in formal writing?

Yes, "as the decades progressed" is suitable for formal writing when describing long-term trends or historical developments. Its formality aligns well with academic and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "as the years progressed" and "as the decades progressed"?

"As the years progressed" refers to a shorter time frame and can be used for changes happening within a single lifetime or a few years. "As the decades progressed" implies a much longer duration and is better suited for historical or societal shifts spanning many decades.