last for decades

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'last for decades' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has remained in effect or unchanged for a long period of time. For example, "These traditions have remained integral to the culture for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Liners can and should last for decades.

The New York Times

Radioactive contamination could last for decades.

The New York Times

They build durable business franchises that last for decades.

The New Yorker

I think this song will last for decades.

The Guardian

"The permanent teeth that we have, more so than baby teeth, last for decades.

The New York Times

As our special report in this issue explains, the threat is likely to last for decades.

The Economist

"The benefits from this soccer World Cup will last for decades" Lutzeyer believes.

Independent

Relationships last for decades, built on trust and a sense, usually unspoken, of absolute limits.

The New Yorker

And in its latent form, it creates cysts in the brain that can last for decades.

The Economist

"The world loves British children's classics and they last for decades".

The Guardian - Business

This alternately angers and amuses local residents, who say no such masquerade can last for decades.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the enduring quality of something, use "last for decades" to highlight its long-term impact or relevance. For example, "The effects of the policy will "last for decades"".

Common error

Avoid using "last for decades" when referring to events or objects with a shorter lifespan. Be sure the context genuinely supports a multi-decade timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last for decades" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last for decades" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey the idea of something enduring for a long time, specifically several decades. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and provides numerous examples across various fields, including news, science, and business. Its communicative purpose is to highlight the long-term nature of effects, relationships, or investments. While maintaining a neutral formality, it is suitable for diverse writing contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely supports a multi-decade timeframe to avoid overstating the duration. Consider semantically similar alternatives such as "endure for decades" or "persist for decades" for slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endure for decades

Emphasizes the ability to withstand challenges over a long period.

continue for decades

Highlights the uninterrupted continuation of something over a long period.

persist for decades

Focuses on the ongoing existence of something despite potential obstacles.

remain for decades

Indicates the stable presence of something over a long period.

hold for decades

Suggests maintaining a certain condition or state over a long period.

prevail for decades

Highlights the ultimate success or dominance of something over a long period.

sustain for decades

Focuses on the ability to support or maintain something over a long period.

survive for decades

Emphasizes the ability to overcome threats and continue existing over a long period.

extend for decades

Indicates the prolonged reach or scope of something over a long period.

stretch for decades

Suggests the expansive and continuous nature of something over a long period.

FAQs

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

You can use "last for decades" to describe something that is expected to remain effective or relevant for a long time. For example, "The infrastructure improvements are designed to "last for decades"".

What can I say instead of "last for decades"?

Alternatives include "endure for decades", "persist for decades", or "continue for decades", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "last for decades" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing long-term impacts or sustainability. It is used in both "formal & business" and "news & media" contexts.

What's the difference between "last for decades" and "last for centuries"?

"Last for decades" indicates a duration of several decades (tens of years), while "last for centuries" implies a much longer duration, spanning hundreds of years. The choice depends on the specific timeframe you want to emphasize.