for centuries

USAGE SUMMARY

"for centuries" is a proper usage of English.
It can be used to indicate that something has lasted a long period of time, usually a long period of time in the past. For example, "For centuries, humans have relied on the power of the elements to sustain themselves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have for centuries.

The New Yorker

For centuries, in fact.

Independent

That's been true for centuries.

The New York Times

Guns remain functional for centuries.

The New York Times

"It's been eaten for centuries".

The New York Times - Science

Scholars have debated it for centuries.

The New York Times - Sports

But for centuries it was us".

The New Yorker

For centuries, the battlefield has been emptying.

The Economist

Society has encountered similar situations for centuries.

The New York Times

Tamils have traded across Asia for centuries.

The Economist

The Chaconne has transfixed listeners for centuries.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for centuries" to emphasize the enduring nature of a phenomenon or tradition. It is most effective when highlighting historical context or long-term trends.

Common error

Avoid using "for centuries" when referring to durations that are not literally multiple centuries. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Instead, consider "for a long time" or "for years" for shorter or less defined periods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for centuries" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. As shown by Ludwig, it's commonly used to express that something has persisted over a long historical period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for centuries" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe events or phenomena that have persisted over hundreds of years. According to Ludwig, it effectively conveys a sense of historical depth and continuity. While versatile across various contexts, it is most commonly found in news, encyclopedic entries, and scientific writing, where its precise and enduring connotation is highly valued. When writing, be mindful of its historical implications and avoid overusing it in non-historical contexts to maintain its intended impact. Remember to use related phrases when you need to change the emphasis of a sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the centuries

This phrase is nearly synonymous, but emphasizes a process unfolding across multiple centuries rather than a continuous state.

down the ages

Similar to "over the centuries", but with a slightly more poetic or literary tone.

throughout history

This phrase broadens the scope to encompass all of recorded history, potentially longer than just centuries.

for a long time

This alternative is more general, lacking the emphasis on a historical timeframe that "for centuries" provides.

for generations

This alternative focuses on the span of human generations rather than a strict time measurement.

for ages

This alternative is more informal and less precise, suggesting a long duration without specifying centuries.

in the mists of time

Suggests something is old and difficult to remember or verify because of the passing of a long time.

for many years

This is a more generic term, lacking the specific implication of extended historical duration.

since time immemorial

This phrase suggests a duration so long that it predates memory or record, far exceeding centuries.

for a considerable period

This is a formal and less evocative alternative, simply indicating a long duration.

FAQs

How can I use "for centuries" in a sentence?

"For centuries" is used to indicate that something has existed or occurred over a period of hundreds of years. For example, "For centuries people have relied on agriculture for sustenance."

What is a more formal alternative to "for centuries"?

A more formal alternative could be "over the course of several centuries". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional writing where precision is important.

Is it correct to say "since centuries ago" instead of "for centuries"?

No, "since centuries ago" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase to use is "for centuries" or "centuries ago".

What is the difference between "for centuries" and "in recent centuries"?

"For centuries" indicates a long period spanning several hundred years, while "in recent centuries" refers specifically to the last few centuries.