for one and a half centuries

USAGE SUMMARY

"for one and a half centuries" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how long a given situation has been in existence. For example, "The local university has served the community for one and a half centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

For the first time ever, we have an opportunity to produce something we have craved for one and a half centuries: a Scottish national football team that might become the best in the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

The first of the poem's five sections, "The Burial of the Dead", took us to The East London Cemetery, where the Book of Common Prayer service of the same name has been read aloud for one and a half centuries.

The Guardian - Books

"Manet's Olympia, after being stared at for one and a half centuries, came alive last weekend and made a film of the people who were looking at her".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But it has always been, in the phrase of a historian of the city, Frank Welsh, "a Chinese colony", albeit one run for one-and-a-half centuries by the British.

The Economist

GAs have been in use for over one and a half centuries, but their mechanism of action still eludes pharmacologists.

British Journal of Pharmacology

Bacteria that are symbiotically associated with legumes and capable of fixing nitrogen have been studied for over one and a half centuries.

BMC Genomics

In addition, community lay people have been involved in the delivery of allopathic health services for the last one and a half centuries.

Health Policy and Planning

(Both South Korea and Taiwan transitioned to democracy within two decades. The CPC has exercised one-party rule for more than a half century with no end in sight).

Forbes

Of course, one other century-and-a-half formerly fuddy-duddy brand had managed to update itself for the 21st century: Burberry.

The New York Times

DNA is a nucleic acid which was first isolated one and half centuries ago.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

The Yale Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism is one of the oldest Endocrinology Fellowships in the country, with continuous NIH funding for more than a half-century.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical trends or long-term phenomena, using the phrase "for one and a half centuries" can effectively convey the extended period of time involved. Make sure the context clearly supports this duration.

Common error

Avoid using "for one and a half centuries" when a shorter or less precise time frame is more appropriate. Overstating the duration can undermine the accuracy of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for one and a half centuries" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of duration, indicating the length of time an action or state has persisted. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English to describe situations in existence for that period. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for one and a half centuries" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a duration of 150 years. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist. Ludwig AI confirms that it is valid to describe how long something has existed. Its neutral register makes it suitable for use in news media, scientific publications, and academic writing, providing historical context and emphasizing longevity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over a century and a half

Rephrases the duration with a slightly different emphasis on 'over'.

a century and a half long

Expresses the duration as a period of time that extends.

lasting 150 years

States the duration directly in years.

for 150 years

More concise way to express the same duration.

in the course of 150 years

Emphasizes the unfolding of events during the duration.

spanning a century and a half

Highlights the act of covering or extending over that period.

for a period of 150 years

Formal and explicit statement of the duration.

throughout 150 years

Focuses on experiencing something continuously during the timeframe.

since the past century and a half

Highlights how something has been going on since the last century and a half, looking at the past.

within a period of a century and a half

Emphasizes that something happened within this amount of time.

FAQs

How can I use "for one and a half centuries" in a sentence?

You can use "for one and a half centuries" to describe events, traditions, or practices that have persisted over a long period. For example, "The family business has thrived "for one and a half centuries"".

What is the difference between "for one and a half centuries" and "for 150 years"?

While both phrases refer to the same duration, "for one and a half centuries" can provide a sense of historical perspective, while "for 150 years" is a more direct statement of time. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

Which is more formal, "for one and a half centuries" or "for 150 years"?

"For one and a half centuries" can sound slightly more formal or literary, suggesting a longer-term historical view. "For 150 years" is more straightforward and neutral.

What are some alternative ways to say "for one and a half centuries"?

You could use phrases like "over a century and a half", "a century and a half long", or simply "for 150 years" depending on the context and desired level of formality.