decades to come

USAGE SUMMARY

'decades to come' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to refer to events, changes, or developments that will take place in the future, spanning multiple decades. For example, "The rise of artificial intelligence is predicted to have a huge impact on societies in decades to come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My tears took four decades to come.

The New York Times

It would have a profound impact for decades to come.

The Guardian

His legacy will endure for decades to come.

Independent

Changes that will be with us for decades to come.

Yale University

In the decades to come, new families would arrive.

The New York Times

"Lincoln" will be watched for many decades to come.

The New Yorker

We will keep Medicare strong for decades to come...

The New York Times

These people will be protecting Americans for decades to come.

The Washington Post

It's setting tax policy for decades to come.

The Washington Post

Clarke also said print would survive for decades to come.

The Guardian

This is why his novels will be read for decades to come and will matter for decades to come.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decades to come" to emphasize the long-lasting impact or duration of something. For instance, "The effects of climate change will be felt for "decades to come"."

Common error

Avoid using "decades to come" when referring to shorter time spans. If you're discussing events happening within a few years, phrases like "in the coming years" or "in the near future" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decades to come" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action or state will occur. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples show its use in predicting long-term consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decades to come" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a long-term future timeframe. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and it's frequently found in neutral to formal registers, particularly in news, science, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the extended duration you intend to convey, avoiding its application to shorter periods. Consider alternatives like "in the coming years" or "for generations to come" to fine-tune your message. Common authoritative sources include The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for years to come

Similar in meaning, but slightly less formal in tone.

in the years ahead

Emphasizes a forward-looking perspective, but without specifying a timeframe.

for generations to come

Implies a longer period, spanning multiple generations.

in future years

Similar to "in the coming years", but slightly more general.

in the coming years

Focuses on a shorter, more immediate timeframe compared to "decades to come".

in the distant future

Highlights the remoteness in time of the described events.

in the long term

Focuses on the extended duration of impact or effects.

in the foreseeable future

Highlights that the time frame is predictable or anticipated.

down the line

More colloquial and less precise regarding timeframe.

in the fullness of time

More literary and emphasizes eventual outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "decades to come" in a sentence?

Use "decades to come" to indicate events, changes, or impacts that will extend over a long period, such as "The decisions we make today will affect our environment for "decades to come"".

What are some alternatives to saying "decades to come"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "in the coming years", "in the long term", or "for generations to come".

Is it appropriate to use "decades to come" in formal writing?

Yes, "decades to come" is suitable for formal writing. It is often used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports to convey a sense of long-term impact.

What is the difference between "years to come" and "decades to come"?

"Years to come" indicates a shorter timeframe, while "decades to come" implies a significantly longer period, spanning multiple decades. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the intended duration.