during decades

USAGE SUMMARY

'during decades' is correct and usable in written English.
As an example sentence, you could use "During decades, this has been the accepted standard".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brown tells us what she uncovered during decades of researching the Chernobyl disaster.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Many in this poor Balkan country of 22 million dreamed of escaping during decades of dictatorship.

The New York Times

Czech secularism was conditioned during decades of Communism, when the Roman Catholic Church was suppressed.

The New York Times

American composers of 50 and under grew up during decades when rock thrived.

The New York Times - Arts

"We inherited a thick layer of problems that accumulated during decades," Mr. Surkov said.

The New York Times

She rose to lieutenant colonel during decades in the Army Reserves.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Jang had undoubtedly acquired numerous enemies during decades of unforgiving political warfare in Pyongyang.

The New York Times

This became apparent during decades of research into what is known as fear training.

MIT Technology Review

This would allow the suffering – and mistakes — of all communities during decades of war to be acknowledged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Throughout, the Brotherhood kept a low profile, part of a survival instinct honed during decades of repression by the state.

The New York Times

The one constant during decades of caffeinated talk was the question of how far Egypt would embrace Western norms.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during decades", ensure the context clearly establishes the start or reference point for the period under discussion. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying the decades being referenced. Avoid vague references where the timeframe is unclear, as this can confuse the reader. For example, instead of saying "economic changes during decades", specify "economic changes during the 1980s and 1990s".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during decades" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates the timeframe in which an action or state occurs, spanning a period of multiple decades. This usage is supported by numerous examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during decades" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that specifies a period of time spanning multiple decades. As indicated by Ludwig, it is used to describe events, trends, or situations that occur over this extended timeframe. It is most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts, with a neutral register suitable for formal writing. When using "during decades", ensure that the timeframe is clear and specific to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "over the decades" or "for decades" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is widely accepted and appropriate for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the decades

Emphasizes a retrospective view, looking back at a period spanning decades.

for decades

Indicates a period of decades during which something has occurred or existed.

across decades

Highlights a gradual process or change occurring throughout multiple decades.

spanning decades

Focuses on the continuous nature of a period that covers several decades.

in the course of decades

Suggests that something happened gradually over an extended period.

throughout the decades

Emphasizes a consistent pattern or trend observed across multiple decades.

for a couple of decades

Specifies a time frame of roughly 20 years.

over a period of decades

Provides a more formal and descriptive way of referring to a period spanning decades.

in the past few decades

Refers to a period encompassing the most recent decades, often with a focus on recent changes.

over many years

Indicates a long duration in a less specific way, without precise quantification of the duration in terms of decades.

FAQs

How can I use "during decades" in a sentence?

You can use "during decades" to describe events, trends, or situations that occur over a period spanning multiple decades. For example, "The city's population grew rapidly "during decades" of industrial expansion".

What are some alternatives to "during decades"?

Alternatives include "over the decades", "for decades", or "across decades". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "during decades" or "in decades"?

"During decades" refers to events happening throughout a span of decades, while "in decades" can refer to something happening within a specific decade or after a period of decades. Choose the phrase that best matches the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "during decades" and "throughout the decades"?

"During decades" emphasizes the period, while "throughout the decades" emphasizes consistency across multiple decades. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the period itself or the consistent nature of the phenomenon.