in a decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a decade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a period of ten years from the present or a specific point in time. Example: "In a decade, we hope to see significant advancements in renewable energy technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"NOT once in a decade.

The Economist

In a decade they may be gone.

The New York Times

"You usually lose that in a decade".

The New York Times

West title in a decade.

The New York Times - Sports

Its population had doubled in a decade.

The Guardian - Books

This figure hasn't improved in a decade.

The Guardian

It hasn't worked in a decade".

The New York Times

In a decade, we'll control it".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He has not worked in baseball in a decade.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe in a decade, he said optimistically.

TechCrunch

Those figures, mind you, have not changed in a decade.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a decade" to provide a general timeframe for future predictions or retrospective analyses. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "in a decade" when a more precise timeframe is needed. If you have specific years or dates, use them instead for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a decade" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying a timeframe. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a decade" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a period of ten years, as validated by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial phrase, primarily used to specify timeframes in news, media, and various other contexts. While many alternatives exist, such as "within ten years" or "over the next decade", "in a decade" remains a versatile and widely accepted choice. This expression is suitable for both formal and informal settings. As Ludwig’s analysis shows, the frequency and distribution of this phrase across authoritative sources underscore its reliability and widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within ten years

Specifies the same duration with a different preposition.

over the next decade

Emphasizes the progression of time within the ten-year period.

in the coming decade

Highlights the future aspect of the ten-year timeframe.

ten years from now

Indicates a point in the future exactly ten years from the present.

a decade from today

Similar to 'ten years from now', specifying the starting point.

during the next ten years

Focuses on the events occurring throughout the ten-year period.

in the subsequent decade

More formal phrasing, referring to a following ten-year period.

over a ten-year span

Highlights the duration of the period.

within the next ten-year period

More descriptive and slightly redundant, but conveys the same timeframe.

for the next ten years

Emphasizes the period of time something will occur.

FAQs

How can I use "in a decade" in a sentence?

You can use "in a decade" to refer to a period of ten years from the present or a specific point in time. For instance, "In a decade, renewable energy sources may become more prevalent."

What are some alternatives to saying "in a decade"?

Alternatives include phrases like "within ten years", "over the next decade", or "ten years from now", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in a decade's time" instead of "in a decade"?

While "in a decade's time" is grammatically correct, "in a decade" is more common and generally preferred for its simplicity and directness.

What's the difference between "in a decade" and "a decade later"?

"In a decade" refers to a period of ten years from a specific point, often the present, while "a decade later" refers to a point ten years after a previously mentioned event or time.