for over two generations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for over two generations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time span that exceeds two generations, often in discussions about family, history, or cultural practices. Example: "This family business has been passed down for over two generations, maintaining its core values and traditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

George V's abandonment of social aloofness conditioned the royal family's behaviour and enhanced its popularity during the economic crises of the 1920s and for over two generations thereafter.

Wikipedia

The claim that Israel is the incarnation and defender of Jewish values is contradicted by its treatment of an Arab population that has now lived for over two generations under Israel's military subjugation - treatment that Moshe Arens, a former Likud Defense and Foreign Minister, has warned is turning that population into a permanent underclass of "carriers of water and hewers of wood".

Huffington Post

Separating the seeds of white and red varieties of A. hypochondriacus and growing for over two generations retained the inflorescence of the parent plants in the successive generations, thus suggesting purity of lines obtained from farmers.

DNA Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The high percentage of deafness is caused by a geographically-centric recessive gene, called DFNB3, which has been present in the village for over seven generations.

Vice

With large numbers of markers (such as the tiger salamander example), the validity of discrete classification can be evaluated and rejected for populations with over two generations of admixture.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

If and when a national security situation erupts -- will a Japanese soldier, sailor, or airman pull the trigger for the first time in over two generations?

Huffington Post

Rather, these texts suggest that it took over three generations for the Antemoro to successfully integrate into the society through intermarriage and other means, and also reflect an awareness among the Antemoro of the importance of local caste and lineage traditions and their need to find a place within them.

Wikipedia

To test this hypothesis, cardiac function was assessed in rats specifically selected over nineteen generations for their low (LCR) and high (HCR) intrinsic aerobic running capacity.

Plosone

For fifteen years, over two generations of tennis, Williams has been a spectacular and constant yet oddly uncherished national treasure.

The New Yorker

We hypothesize that, although the low viral titer may not be limiting for one generation, over two generations this twofold dilution effect means that sons infected by their fathers do not transmit the virus.

Genetics

This staggering economic milestone marks a momentous victory for the top 1percentt over two generations of students and families.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "for over two generations", ensure that the context clearly establishes the starting point or reference for the generations being considered. This will provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming a fixed number of years per generation (e.g. 25 years) when using "for over two generations". Instead, focus on the lineage and familial continuity to which the phrase refers. Ensure that your sentence accurately represents the continuity of a trait, tradition or situation through at least two successive familial instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for over two generations" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the duration of an action, state, or condition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for over two generations" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate a duration of time exceeding two generations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English. While relatively rare in occurrence, its function is to establish the longevity or continuity of a phenomenon. The phrase is most frequently found in scientific contexts, news media, and wiki sources. When writing, make sure the generational timeline is clear to avoid ambiguity. Also, be mindful of the difference between generational time and calendar time, as the phrase refers more directly to familial lineage. Related phrases include "spanning more than two generations" and "across two or more generations".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spanning more than two generations

Focuses on the act of spanning a period, rather than simply existing for it.

across two or more generations

Emphasizes the breadth of generations included in the time period.

lasting for over two generations

Highlights the duration of the period exceeding two generations.

extending beyond two generations

Similar to "lasting", but with a connotation of continuation or reach.

for a period exceeding two generations

More formal and explicit about the length of the duration.

through multiple generations

Indicates a progression of events occurring over several generations.

over several generations

Less precise, implying more than two but not specifying an exact number.

for generations

A more general term meaning 'for a long time'.

across the generations

Similar to "through multiple generations", highlighting the shared experience.

in the course of two generations

Focuses on events unfolding within the specific timeframe of two generations.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "for over two generations" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "spanning more than two generations", "across two or more generations", or "for a period exceeding two generations".

Is it more accurate to say "for over two generations" or "for more than two generations"?

Both "for over two generations" and "for more than two generations" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the desired tone of the writing.

What does "for over two generations" imply about the time period?

"For over two generations" implies a time period long enough for at least two successive sets of parents and children to have lived and potentially for their influence to be felt. The exact length can vary depending on cultural and familial contexts.

Can "for over two generations" be used to describe cultural changes?

Yes, "for over two generations" can effectively describe how cultural practices, beliefs, or values have been maintained or evolved within a community or family. It emphasizes the longevity and potential adaptation of these elements across successive cohorts, thus creating a sense of cultural continuity.