in that decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in that decade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific ten-year period in a discussion or narrative. Example: "The fashion trends in that decade were heavily influenced by music and art movements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet her interest in that decade makes sense.

The New York Times - Magazine

His tastes were more or less formed in that decade.

The New Yorker

Mr. Kentridge's eureka moment arrived late in that decade.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of the attacks in that decade were gang-related.

The Washington Post

In that decade, the Texas oil industry suffered from a world oil glut.

The New York Times

Although the fights certainly got nasty, most important fiscal legislation in that decade was bipartisan.

The Economist

The Great Exhibition (1851) stimulated the formation of 13 in that decade.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Consider our presidents in that decade: Warren G. Harding had been a newspaper publisher in Ohio.

The New York Times

Donnelly left the band early in that decade and was replaced by Deal's twin sister, Kelley.

The New Yorker

The 1990s were difficult, but Mr. Tendulkar bloomed in that decade.

The New York Times

Accusing Corbyn's young supporters of being stuck in that decade seems a little odd.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the decade you are referring to is clear to the reader. If there's any possibility of confusion, specify the years (e.g., "in the 1980s").

Common error

Avoid using "in that decade" if the timeframe is not a true decade (e.g., 1973-1981). In such cases, opt for phrases like "during those years" or "within that period" to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in that decade" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something occurred. As noted by Ludwig AI, it correctly pinpoints a period of ten years. Examples show it adding temporal context across various topics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in that decade" is a common and grammatically sound way to specify a ten-year period. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as an adverbial phrase of time, providing context to events. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly defines the decade being referenced. Alternatives like "during that decade" offer similar meanings. From news articles to encyclopedic entries, "in that decade" efficiently places events within a temporal frame, making it a valuable tool for clear communication. As usage examples clearly show, the phrase sees frequent use in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during that decade

Replaces the preposition "in" with "during" to indicate the timeframe.

during those ten years

Uses "those" instead of "that" for a slightly different emphasis.

throughout that decade

Uses "throughout" to emphasize the continuous nature of events within the decade.

within that ten-year period

Rephrases "decade" with a more explicit description of the timeframe.

over that decade

Similar to "during", but can also imply a sense of covering the entire duration.

in that period of ten years

Expands "decade" to its full definition for emphasis or clarity.

in the course of that decade

More formal variant using 'the course of' to indicate a period.

through the course of that decade

Adds a bit of formality, highlighting the passage of time.

spanning that decade

Highlights the duration and reach across the ten-year period.

within that span of ten years

Focuses on the duration being a fixed and limited span.

FAQs

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

Use "in that decade" to refer to a specific ten-year period, like "The fashion trends "in that decade" were heavily influenced by music." Make sure the decade is clear from the context.

What's a simple alternative to "in that decade"?

A straightforward alternative is "during that decade". It maintains the same meaning and is easily interchangeable.

Is it always clear what decade "in that decade" refers to?

No, it's not always clear. To avoid confusion, ensure the context clearly establishes the decade you're discussing. If not, explicitly state the years (e.g., "in the 1960s").

Can I use "in that decade" to refer to any ten-year period?

While commonly used for standard decades (e.g., 1980-1989), for non-standard ten-year periods, it's more precise to use phrases like "during those ten years" or "within that period".