during the decades

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the decades" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a span of years or when you want to emphasize a period of time that was long and full of change. For example, "During the decades following World War II, significant advances in technology changed the way people lived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was the worst atrocity during the decades of conflict.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lavish subsidy sustained it during the decades of terrorist conflict.

The Economist

A turnabout in the colony's fortunes occurred during the decades of royal rule.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Road construction and maintenance slowed during the decades of conflict in the 1980s and '90s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He has always been a bit of a maverick, even during the decades when he served the white government.

The New York Times

That was long ago, and, of course, many people's views on race have evolved during the decades since.

The New Yorker

There will be many opportunities to evaluate and adjust course in the fight against global warming during the decades ahead.

The New York Times

Not that there was any shortage of attitudes and activities during the decades covered by the current volume.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The church was decapitated by Renamo guerrillas during the decades-long civil war, which finally ended in 1994.

The New York Times

However, the British sought to prosecute them for crimes committed during the decades-long conflict known as the Troubles.

The New York Times

It hosts about 5.2 million people, including the children who were born during the decades-long mission.

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during the decades" to emphasize a period marked by significant change or development. It is useful for framing historical narratives or long-term trends.

Common error

Avoid using "during the decades" when referring to a specific event within a single decade. Instead, use "in the decade of the 1980s" or "during the 1980s" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the decades" functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate when something occurred. As supported by Ludwig, it serves to set a broad timeframe for events or conditions. Examples in Ludwig illustrate this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during the decades" is a versatile phrase used to establish a timeline spanning several decades. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse sources, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, consider best practices such as emphasizing periods of change and avoiding vague application to single events. Be aware of alternative phrases like "over the decades" or "throughout the decades" for nuances. Therefore, "during the decades" provides a reliable way to frame extended periods marked by transitions and historical progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the decades

Uses a different preposition to convey the same time frame.

in the decades

Replaces 'during' with 'in', slightly shifting the emphasis to location within the time period.

throughout the decades

Emphasizes continuity across the entire period.

across the decades

Similar to 'throughout', but might suggest a more scattered or distributed occurrence.

for decades

Indicates a duration of multiple decades, without necessarily being specific about the period.

in the course of decades

More formal and emphasizes the progression of time.

spanning the decades

Highlights the act of covering or including multiple decades.

in the period of decades

More verbose and formal, emphasizing the specific timeframe.

over a period of decades

Stresses the extended duration of time.

through many decades

Emphasizes the multitude of decades involved.

FAQs

How do you use "during the decades" in a sentence?

You can use "during the decades" to describe events, trends, or changes that occur over a period of many years. For example, "During the decades following World War II, the economy experienced unprecedented growth."

What is a good alternative to "during the decades"?

Alternatives to "during the decades" include phrases like "over the decades", "throughout the decades", or "across the decades", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in the decades" instead of "during the decades"?

While "in the decades" is sometimes used, "during the decades" is generally preferred as it more clearly indicates that the events or conditions existed throughout the specified time period.

What's the difference between "during the decades" and "for decades"?

"During the decades" specifies a time period in which something occurred, while "for decades" indicates the duration of something, without specifying the exact period. For instance, "The company struggled for decades before finally achieving success "during the decades" of the late 20th century."