for centuries when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for centuries when" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and would require additional context to be usable. Example: "For centuries when people believed in myths, stories were passed down through generations."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

China never invaded us for centuries when this was an independent kingdom," he said.

The Guardian

Ethnic Germans had lived in the Sudetenland for centuries when Hitler annexed it in 1938.

The New York Times

They had been hanging vertically for centuries; when they were placed on the floor, the warp threads relaxed.

The New Yorker

The volcano on the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat had been slumbering for centuries when it awoke in 1995.

The New York Times

A statue's free-standing limb that would need propping up if made of clay can hold its pose for centuries when made of bronze.

The Economist

Both the hot springs and the beaches here have been used as heat sources for cooking for centuries, when fresh water and cooking fuel were scarce and expensive.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The ancient tribes of central Mexico had worshiped fertility gods for many centuries when the Aztec invaded the valley.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Light, portable, hard and long-lasting, such tropical spices as pepper and cloves might have been designed for the centuries when travel was slow and perilous.

The Guardian - Books

Puerto Rico was part of the Spanish Empire for four centuries, when the Puerto Ricans defended themselves against invasions from the British, French, and Dutch.

Wikipedia

The character of Palestrina speaks for colleagues across the centuries when he stops his work to cry, "What is the point of all this?

The New Yorker

Gone, for these people, are the centuries when sewage ran down open channels in the alleys into the Tigris.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical contexts, ensure the conjunction clearly links the time period with the events or conditions that prevailed. Consider replacing "when" with more precise terms like "during which" or "through which" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "for centuries when" if the "when" clause doesn't directly follow and modify the temporal phrase. Overusing this phrase without a clear connection can create confusing or grammatically unsound sentences.

Linguistic Context

Temporal adverbial phrase connecting a duration with a specific event or situation. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is often used to set a historical context, but can be grammatically tricky. The examples show varied uses, some more successful than others in creating a coherent link between the time frame and the event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for centuries when" is used to connect a long period with a subsequent event. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that while the phrase appears frequently, it can be grammatically challenging, often requiring careful construction to ensure clarity. The phrase is most common in news and media contexts and serves primarily to provide a temporal background for historical events. When writing, consider more explicit connectors like "during which" or "throughout which" for better clarity. As highlighted by Ludwig, ensure the connection between the time frame and the event is clear and logical to avoid grammatical awkwardness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for centuries, whenever

Replaces "when" with "whenever" to emphasize repeated occurrences over a long duration.

for centuries, during which

Uses "during which" to provide a formal connection between a long period and subsequent events.

over the centuries, when

Switches to "over the centuries" to emphasize the duration and then uses "when" to introduce a specific event.

across the centuries, as

Employs "across the centuries" to highlight a gradual development alongside the events indicated by "as".

throughout the centuries, when

Utilizes "throughout the centuries" to indicate an ongoing condition during the events described by "when".

for hundreds of years, when

Replaces "centuries" with "hundreds of years" for a less formal tone, maintaining the "when" clause.

in the centuries when

Adds "in" to specify a period, keeping the structure and causality of the original phrase.

during the centuries that

Specifies the duration with "during the centuries that", focusing on the timeframe.

in the centuries where

Replaces "when" with "where" to subtly shift the focus to the context of the time period.

across many centuries, when

Rephrases to "across many centuries" to broaden the temporal scope before introducing the condition with "when".

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "for centuries" correctly?

The phrase "for centuries" describes a period spanning multiple centuries. To connect it to a subsequent event, use phrases like "for centuries, "people believed that"...", or "for centuries, "this practice continued"...".

What are some alternatives to "for centuries when"?

Alternatives include "for centuries, during which", "over the centuries", or "throughout the centuries", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is "for centuries when" grammatically correct?

As Ludwig AI pointed out, the phrase "for centuries when" is often incomplete and requires careful construction to ensure grammatical correctness. It's crucial to establish a clear and logical connection between the duration and the event that follows.

What's the difference between "for centuries when" and "for centuries, during which"?

"For centuries, during which" explicitly connects a long duration with a subsequent event or condition, providing a clear temporal relationship. "For centuries when" requires a more immediate and direct connection, which can sometimes be grammatically awkward if not handled carefully.