for over a generation now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for over a generation now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been happening or existing for a significant period, typically spanning multiple decades. Example: "For over a generation now, the community has been advocating for environmental sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I don't want to upset him or make him angry at me!" For over a generation now, efforts to make health care more patient-friendly have focused on getting patients and doctors to work together to make decisions about care and treatment.

The New York Times

"Women in this country have been fed a lie for over a generation now," she said.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In Mr. Russo's novels, on the other hand, we are given the towns all over the country that for a generation now have been losing young people to cities, manufacturing jobs to the ages of information and globalization, and local pride to a sense that nothing of consequence in the world is happening anywhere nearby.

The New York Times - Books

For a generation now the Tories have shown a heroic instinct for self-immolation over Europe.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a generation now.

The New York Times - Sports

By using language seen as demeaning, insulting, or just plain mean-spirited, Republicans have been driving Latinos towards voting Democratic for over a generation's time, now.

Huffington Post

"It's been there for over a generation," he said.

The Washington Post

It has been growing for over a generation.

The Economist

Things have been going that way for over a generation.

The Economist

"That's for the younger generation now".

Huffington Post

"We are a TV generation now".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for over a generation now" to emphasize that something has persisted across a significant period, impacting multiple cohorts. This highlights the longevity and potential entrenchment of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "for over a generation now" when referring to events or trends that have only lasted a few years. The phrase implies a substantial duration, typically 20-30 years or more.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for over a generation now" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the duration or extent to which an action or state has been ongoing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for over a generation now" is used to denote something that has been happening or existing for a substantial period, spanning more than a typical generation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Though grammatical correct, it's relatively rare in occurrence, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. When writing, it is essential to ensure the timeframe being referenced genuinely extends beyond a single generation to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives like "for more than a generation" or "for decades now" can offer nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for more than a generation

Replaces "over" with "more than", emphasizing duration.

for a generation or more

Adds "or more" to suggest the period could be longer.

for the past generation

Focuses on the immediate past generation.

in recent generations

Highlights the impact across multiple recent generations.

for roughly a generation

Introduces an element of approximation.

spanning a generation

Emphasizes the act of covering a generation.

throughout a generation

Highlights continuity of the matter through a generation.

for a considerable time now

Substitutes the specific generational reference with a more general timeframe.

for decades now

Specifies a timeframe of decades.

for quite some time now

Uses a vague expression instead of being specific about one generation.

FAQs

How can I use "for over a generation now" in a sentence?

You can use "for over a generation now" to indicate that a trend, belief, or situation has persisted across a significant period. For example, "For over a generation now, concerns about climate change have been growing."

What are some alternatives to "for over a generation now"?

You can use alternatives like "for more than a generation", "for decades now", or "for a considerable time now" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "for over a generation now" and "for a generation"?

"For a generation" refers to the duration of approximately 20-30 years. "For over a generation now" implies that something has been happening continuously for longer than that typical generational timeframe, possibly impacting multiple generations.

Is it appropriate to use "for over a generation now" in formal writing?

Yes, "for over a generation now" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing long-term trends or historical developments. Its use is seen in news media and academic writing, indicating its acceptability in formal contexts.