in their decades

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in their decades" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time period in which individuals or groups experienced significant events or changes in their lives. Example: "The artists made a lasting impact in their decades, influencing generations to come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In their decades in power, the Communists set up communities like Baikalsk all over their immense territory.

The New York Times

The library has a collection of Horn & Hardart papers, and if you recall those marble emporiums only in their decades of decline, you can get a sense here of the impact they once had.

The New York Times - Arts

When Friedrich Engels's fragmentary text, The Dialectics of Nature, dating from 1883, was rediscovered in the 1930s, it was regarded as demonstrating that nature itself conformed to the philosophical principles that he and Marx had formulated in their decades of collaboration.

The Guardian - Books

Though influential, Severed Heads largely remained an entity to themselves – aligned with no palpable scene or movement in their decades of productivity.

Vice

The Test umpire Col Egar recalled that O'Reilly never talked to him in their decades in cricket until a third party informed the bowler that Egar was a Catholic.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In their decade of existence, the Texans had never before reached the postseason, let alone dealt with losing in one.

The New York Times - Sports

In their decade together, she and DeJesus built up a remarkable relationship, with Knight fulfilling a maternal role.

The Guardian

XM and Sirius burned up nearly $1 billion apiece in their decade-long quest to get into orbit.

Forbes

While replacing the tire, the couple reminisces about the various mishaps and adventures they've shared in their decade-long relationship.

Huffington Post

The great twist in their decades-long rivalry is that it might eventually be Brown's record that looks the stronger.

The Guardian - Opinion

The verdict was a pivotal victory for federal prosecutors in their decades-long war of attrition against the New York mob.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their decades" when you want to emphasize a long period during which someone or something was active, influential, or underwent significant changes. It's particularly useful when discussing historical trends or long-term impact.

Common error

Avoid using "in their decades" when referring to a shorter period, such as a single year or a few years. The phrase implies a substantial length of time, typically at least twenty years. Use more appropriate terms like "during their time", or "in the last few years" if the timeframe is shorter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their decades" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by providing a temporal context. Ludwig examples show it describing periods of activity, influence, or change. It establishes a timeframe within which actions or events occur.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in their decades" is a prepositional phrase used to specify a time period spanning multiple decades, typically indicating a significant duration of influence, activity, or change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and generally appears in neutral contexts such as news and media. While not overly frequent, the phrase serves to emphasize the long-term nature of an event or impact. When using "in their decades", ensure that the context aligns with this extended timeframe and avoid misusing it for shorter periods. Alternatives such as "during their time" or "throughout their lives" may be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning you want to convey. Use "in their decades" to highlight something that persists, evolves, or has notable influence across numerous years.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during their time

Focuses more on the period when they were active or alive.

throughout their lives

Emphasizes the entire duration of their existence.

over the decades of their career

Highlights a professional timeline spanning several decades.

across their lifespan

Refers to the period from birth to death.

in the course of their existence

Stresses the total time they existed.

during their active years

Focuses on the period when they were productive or influential.

through the decades of their involvement

Emphasizes a sustained participation over many decades.

spanning their years of influence

Highlights the period when they had significant impact.

for the duration of their service

Refers to the time they were employed or active in a specific role.

throughout their tenure

Emphasizes the period they held a position or office.

FAQs

How can I use "in their decades" in a sentence?

You can use "in their decades" to describe actions or influences spanning many years. For instance, "In their decades in power, the Communists set up communities..."

What are some alternatives to saying "in their decades"?

Alternatives include "during their time", "throughout their lives", or "over the decades of their career", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in their decade" instead of "in their decades"?

No, "in their decade" refers to a single ten-year period, while "in their decades" indicates a period of twenty years or more. The plural form is used to convey a longer duration.

What's the difference between "in their decades" and "during their lives"?

"In their decades" emphasizes a specific long period, often marked by significant changes or activities. "During their lives" refers to the entire duration of their existence, without necessarily focusing on a specific period within it.