decade after decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decade after decade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that continues to happen or be relevant over a long period of time. For example, "The sitcom has remained popular decade after decade, with generations of fans tuning in each night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

My work, if learned well and executed well, will endure decade after decade after decade.

The New York Times - Arts

Lab after lab tried and failed, decade after decade.

The Guardian

Norquist hangs on to the signatures decade after decade.

The Guardian

Decade after decade, its golden petals have brightened late winter.

The New York Times

From 218 the Romans annually fielded major armies decade after decade.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's the way it was decade after decade, winter or summer.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet the Ferrari-Pininfarina pairing produced one remarkable car after another, decade after decade.

The New York Times

Do the same neighborhoods remain poor decade after decade, or is poverty "reshuffled"?

The New York Times

Decade after decade, her father's family — her family — had not been counted.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Doing that over-and-over again, decade-after-decade is what separates the Valley from nearly anywhere else.

TechCrunch

The capitalist system is not delivering those decade-after-decade increases it promised.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decade after decade" to emphasize the long-term persistence or repetition of a trend, event, or phenomenon.

Common error

Avoid using "decade after decade" excessively in a single piece of writing, as it can become repetitive. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "over the decades" or "for many years".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decade after decade" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration or frequency of an action or state. As shown in Ludwig, it emphasizes the prolonged and repetitive nature of something occurring over a significant period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.3%

Reference

0.2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decade after decade" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that signifies the continuation or repetition of something over many decades. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed to emphasize longevity and persistence. Its neutral register allows for use in diverse contexts, particularly within news and media. While alternatives like "over the decades" and "for many years" exist, "decade after decade" specifically underscores the repeated occurrence across numerous decades. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian further solidifies its acceptability and usefulness in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for decades on end

Emphasizes the uninterrupted continuation over multiple decades.

over the decades

A broader term indicating a period spanning several decades.

across decades

Similar to "over the decades", highlighting a trend or pattern observed through different decades.

decade after decade after decade

Intensifies the original phrase to emphasize an even longer and more continuous duration.

for many years

A less specific alternative, indicating a long duration without specifying decades.

year after year

Focuses on annual repetition rather than decades, but conveys a similar sense of continuity.

time after time

Highlights the repeated occurrence of something, regardless of specific timeframes.

again and again

A general expression for repetition, lacking the emphasis on long durations.

consistently over time

Emphasizes the continuous and unwavering nature of an action or trend.

persistently for years

Highlights the ongoing and enduring nature of an event or behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "decade after decade" in a sentence?

You can use "decade after decade" to describe something that has happened repeatedly or remained consistent over a long period. For example, "The company has maintained its market dominance "decade after decade"".

What phrases are similar to "decade after decade"?

Alternatives include phrases like "over the decades", "for many years", or "year after year", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "decades after decades"?

No, "decades after decades" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""decade after decade"", which already implies a repetition over multiple decades.

What is the difference between "decade after decade" and "for decades"?

"Decade after decade" emphasizes the continuous repetition or continuation of something across multiple decades. "For decades" simply indicates a period spanning several decades without necessarily implying repetition.