extending over decades

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extending over decades" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been ongoing or has lasted for a long period of time, specifically spanning multiple decades. Example: "The research on climate change has been extending over decades, providing valuable insights into its long-term effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is a political problem extending over decades and administrations -- the way our government increasingly supports its most financially powerful constituents, and the pharmaceutical industry is probably the most powerful lobby of all.

Huffington Post

In the United States, the incidence of RMSF undergoes cyclic periods of increase and subsequent decrease extending over decades (23 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The performance of two different optical concentration-measuring techniques was investigated over a concentration range starting with about 102 cm−3 and extending over more than four decades.

Atmospheric Research

The search for long lost relatives has extended over decades and still goes on.

The New York Times

The sorry history of New York's adult homes and their oversight extends over decades and multiple administrations.

The New York Times

We are not aware of long-term individual follow-up data in patients with PCCD that would extend over decades.

Plosone

Follow-up will extend over decades.

Environmental Health Perspectives

By spanning the temperature range with respect to the previous works, the Arrhenius plot was extended over 10 decades; then the variation of the slope at the Curie temperature and a soft-up curvature in the ferromagnetic region is now clear.

Acta Materialia

The latter might be sudden during a flood event or a few seasons (acute), or over longer periods extending over many decades or even centuries (chronic).

Quaternary Science Reviews

Earlier work, for instance, has compared historical construction costs for nuclear reactors with other energy sources, in many countries, and extending over several decades.

Energy Policy

It has been implemented on a first prototype that demonstrates a pressure measurement range extending over three decades, from 0.2 to 200 mbar.

Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "extending over decades", ensure that the subject is something that can plausibly last or develop over a long period of time, such as a research project, a political issue, or a family history.

Common error

Avoid using "extending over decades" for events or processes that occur within a single decade. For events that take place over less than 10 years, it's more appropriate to use alternatives such as "spanning several years" or "lasting nearly a decade".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extending over decades" functions as a verbal phrase modifying a noun, indicating a prolonged duration or development. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing political problems and scientific studies, showcasing its ability to define a temporal scope.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extending over decades" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something that unfolds or persists across multiple decades. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears in both news and scientific contexts, showing its applicability in describing various long-term phenomena. Alternatives like "spanning decades" or "lasting for decades" offer similar meanings. Remember to use this phrase when referring to processes or impacts that genuinely unfold over a long duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spanning decades

This alternative focuses on the period of time covered, replacing "extending over" with the single word "spanning".

lasting for decades

This alternative emphasizes the duration, using a simpler verb "lasting" to convey the same meaning.

continuing for decades

This alternative highlights the continuous nature of the action or state during the specified time.

developing over decades

This alternative implies a gradual change or evolution occurring throughout the decades.

unfolding over decades

This alternative evokes a sense of events gradually revealing themselves over a long period.

progressing over decades

This alternative suggests steady advancement or movement forward throughout the decades.

evolving over decades

This alternative highlights transformation and adaptation that takes place across multiple decades.

stretching across decades

This alternative uses a more visual metaphor, suggesting something spread out across the decades.

prevailing for decades

This alternative indicates something that has been dominant or widespread for a prolonged duration.

enduring for decades

This alternative emphasizes the resilience and persistence of something throughout the decades.

FAQs

How can I use "extending over decades" in a sentence?

You can use "extending over decades" to describe processes, projects, or influences that have unfolded across multiple decades. For example, "The effects of this policy are "extending over decades", impacting various sectors of the economy."

What are some alternatives to "extending over decades"?

Some alternatives include "spanning decades", "lasting for decades", or "continuing for decades", each conveying a similar meaning of something persisting for a long time.

Is it more appropriate to say "extending over decades" or "extending for decades"?

"Extending over decades" and "extending for decades" are both grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. However, ""extending over decades"" is slightly more common and emphasizes the continuous nature of the subject throughout those years.

What's the difference between "extending over decades" and "covering decades"?

"Extending over decades" implies a process or effect that is active and unfolding throughout the time period, whereas "covering decades" suggests a broader scope or overview that includes multiple decades. The former is more about duration and ongoing impact, while the latter is about the range or span.