for decades

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'for decades' is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate a long period of time. For example: The phrase "It's a small world" has been used for decades.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For decades.

The New Yorker

Reprinted for decades.

The New York Times

They have for decades.

The New York Times

Cases linger for decades.

The New Yorker

"I've heard this for decades".

The New York Times

The two corresponded for decades.

The New York Times

Others lie low for decades.

The New Yorker

This struggle lasted for decades.

The New Yorker

The fascination continued for decades.

The Economist

Appeals drag out for decades.

The New Yorker

That was true for decades.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "for decades" with specific numbers to enhance clarity. Instead of just saying "for decades", specify "for three decades" or "for nearly five decades" to give your reader a more precise timeframe.

Common error

Don't use "for decades" when referring to events or periods spanning less than 20 years. Using it for shorter durations can sound exaggerated or inaccurate; instead, opt for phrases like "for several years" or "for a couple of years".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for decades" functions as an adverbial phrase of duration, specifying the length of time over which an action or state has persisted. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for decades" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase to indicate that something has been happening over a long period spanning multiple decades. Ludwig demonstrates this with a plethora of examples extracted from reputable sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and BBC. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news articles to academic papers, as Ludwig AI confirms. While generally versatile, it's best to avoid using it for periods shorter than 20 years and to consider more precise alternatives when specificity is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for several decades

More precise, specifying that it's more than two decades.

over the decades

Emphasizes a progression or change occurring throughout the specified long time frame.

throughout the decades

Emphasizes the presence of something across many decades.

in recent decades

Highlights the relative newness of the long period being discussed.

in the past decades

Focuses on a period concluded by the present time.

for many years

Offers a more general way to describe a long time, lacking the specificity of "decades".

spanning decades

Stresses the continuous nature of something occurring across a long time.

across decades

Similar to 'spanning decades', but slightly less formal.

for donkey's years

An informal way of saying a very long time.

for ages

An informal expression referring to a considerable amount of time.

FAQs

How do I use "for decades" in a sentence?

You can use "for decades" to indicate that something has occurred or existed over a period of many years. For instance, "The company has been a leader in the industry "for decades"." It's suitable for historical contexts or long-term trends.

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

"For years" is more general and can refer to any number of years. "For decades" specifically refers to a period spanning multiple sets of ten years, giving a sense of more substantial duration. Use "for years" when precision isn't crucial, and "for decades" when you want to emphasize a longer period.

What are some alternatives to using "for decades"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "over the decades", "in recent decades", or "for many years". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

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

While "decades ago" is a valid phrase indicating a time in the past, "since decades ago" is less common and can sound awkward. Stick to ""for decades"" to describe a continuous period or "decades ago" to specify a point in the past.