lasted for years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lasted for years" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe how long something goes on for or lasts. For example, "My grandparents' marriage lasted for years until my grandfather passed away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The campaign lasted for years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ocean voyages that lasted for years?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Some feelings of expectation lasted for years".

The New Yorker

Sometimes, the obsession lasted for years.

The New Yorker

What's the problem, and why has it lasted for years?

The New York Times - Sports

They were all messy and bloody and lasted for years.

The Economist

Government subsidies there, however, have lasted for years.

The New York Times

The Anger phase lasted for years, and then I entered the next phase, Denial.

The New Yorker

As we now know, it lasted for years and was the graveyard of Soviet power.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

When I dared to say in 1986 that I thought the pictures should be dropped, the Sun started a campaign of vilification against me that lasted for years.

The Guardian - Opinion

The downturn was truly nasty and has lasted for years.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lasted for years", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically endured for that duration. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The problem lasted for years", specify "The economic downturn lasted for years, affecting small businesses significantly".

Common error

Avoid using "lasted for years" as a vague placeholder. Instead, quantify or qualify the duration to provide a more meaningful timeframe. Instead of just stating that a trend "lasted for years", try to approximate the length, like saying it lasted "nearly a decade" or "for several years".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lasted for years" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. It indicates the duration or period over which an event, condition, or state continued. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lasted for years" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the duration of events, conditions, or relationships. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, but also present in academic and encyclopedic sources, this phrase is appropriate for neutral contexts. When employing this phrase, it's essential to provide clear context about what exactly "lasted for years" to avoid vagueness. For alternatives, consider phrases like "continued for many years" or "persisted for several years", but consider the subtle nuances they might add. By following these guidelines, you can effectively integrate "lasted for years" into your writing, ensuring clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued for many years

Replaces "lasted" with "continued" and specifies "many years" for emphasis.

persisted for several years

Uses "persisted" to highlight the enduring nature of something over a few years.

extended over numerous years

Employs "extended" and "numerous" to convey a sense of long duration.

endured for a long time

Focuses on the aspect of enduring or withstanding something over an unspecified long period.

spanned several years

Uses "spanned" to emphasize the period covered by something over some years.

went on for years

A more informal way of saying something continued for an extended time.

carried on for years

Similar to "went on", but slightly more formal, indicating continuation over years.

prevailed for years

Highlights the dominance or widespread existence of something over a period.

sustained itself for years

Emphasizes the ability of something to maintain itself over a long duration.

remained for years

Focuses on the state of remaining or staying in existence over years.

FAQs

How can I use "lasted for years" in a sentence?

You can use "lasted for years" to describe events, relationships, or conditions that persisted over a prolonged period. For example, "The legal battle "lasted for years", draining the company's resources."

What are some alternatives to saying "lasted for years"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "continued for many years", "persisted for several years", or "spanned several years" to express a similar idea.

Is it more appropriate to say "lasted for years" or "lasted many years"?

Both are grammatically correct, but ""lasted for years"" is more common and concise. "Lasted many years" emphasizes the number of years but can sound slightly redundant.

What is the difference between "lasted for years" and "lasted decades"?

"Lasted for years" implies a duration of several years, while "lasted decades" indicates a much longer period, spanning multiple decades. The choice depends on the actual timeframe you want to convey.