for some decades

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for some decades" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a period of time spanning several decades, often in discussions about historical events or trends. Example: "The population of the city has been steadily increasing for some decades, leading to significant changes in infrastructure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Peace was thus assured for some decades.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For some decades the church appointed missionaries to its highest posts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unfortunately we will not be seeing a World Cup here for some decades.

Independent

FOR some decades before Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi appeared, Indian cricket was often a feudal affair.

The Economist

In Britain, short fiction had maintained an interesting, minor presence for some decades.

The Guardian - Books

And that's a process that's been going on for some decades, and it's gone a very long way".

The New York Times

In addition, there are 19 premieres by living British composers, nearly double that of any year for some decades.

Independent

While Shakespeare was alive and for some decades after, he was simply one of several excellent Elizabethan playwrights.

The New York Times - Arts

Curiously, his approach fell out of favour for some decades, reemerging as a viable and competitive approach only in the 1990s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For some decades after the second world war it was a story of general, though uneven, progress and then came the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

The Economist

Sena kings continued to rule in eastern Bengal for some decades, but the main political power in Bengal passed to the Muslims.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for some decades", ensure the context clearly establishes the starting point or reference period to avoid ambiguity. If the specific decades are important, consider stating them explicitly for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "for some decades" without any contextual clues, as it can be too vague. Provide some form of reference point. Without a specific reference point, "for some decades" can feel imprecise and weaken your statement. Add context or specific years to strengthen it.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating duration. The phrase "for some decades" specifies the length of time over which an action or condition has persisted. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for some decades" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that signifies a duration spanning multiple decades. Ludwig AI affirms its consistent usage across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity and specify the timeframe when precision is needed. Alternatives such as ""for several decades"" or ""over the past few decades"" can offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis. Therefore, "for some decades" remains a versatile and effective phrase for denoting an extended period of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for several decades

Replaces "some" with "several", emphasizing a period of more than two decades.

for a few decades

Substitutes "some" with "a few", suggesting a slightly shorter or less definite period.

over the past few decades

Focuses on a recent period, highlighting events or trends that have occurred.

in recent decades

Emphasizes the recency of the decades in question, often used to introduce current trends.

for approximately thirty to fifty years

Provides a more specific range for the duration, offering a quantitative estimate.

during those decades

Refers to a specific set of decades already mentioned or understood in context.

for around thirty to fifty years

Uses "around" to indicate an approximate time frame, similar to "approximately".

in the last thirty to fifty years

Highlights a span within recent history, specifying the time passed.

for upwards of thirty years

Indicates a minimum duration, suggesting the time could be longer than thirty years.

spanning multiple decades

Emphasizes that the period covers more than two decades, without specifying the exact number.

FAQs

How can I use "for some decades" in a sentence?

Use "for some decades" to indicate a period spanning several decades. For example, "The trend has been increasing "for some decades"."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "for some decades"?

Similar phrases include "for several decades", "over the past few decades", and "in recent decades".

Is it appropriate to use "for some decades" in formal writing?

Yes, "for some decades" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing long-term trends or historical events. However, providing a more specific timeframe might enhance clarity.

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

"For some decades" refers specifically to multiple decades, implying a longer period than "for many years", which is a more general term that doesn't specify the number of years.