many generations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "many generations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a long period of time over which a particular event or situation has occurred, or to refer to multiple members of a family or group who are born in the same time period. For example, you could say, "My family has been living in this town for many generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Houses are generally small and many generations live together.

The Economist

"Those treaties were signed many generations ago.

The New Yorker

Many generations ago, Beethoven sought the same.

The New Yorker

She taught many generations of young children.

The New York Times

We fought for it for many generations".

The Guardian

The disease can be traced back for many generations.

The New York Times

The effects over many generations are more important.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, many generations had a moral aversion to debt.

The New York Times

"But nowadays, that is so many generations ago".

The New York Times

Many generations lived there, and it was very communal.

The New York Times

Divorce is a right that took many generations to gain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "many generations" to highlight the enduring nature of a tradition, belief, or impact over an extended period. For example, "This family has upheld this tradition for many generations".

Common error

Avoid using "many generations" when referring to a relatively short period. If only two or three generations are involved, consider using "several generations" or specifying the exact number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many generations" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent or duration of something across a significant number of successive familial or temporal periods. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "many generations" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate an extensive period involving numerous successive familial or temporal periods. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to emphasize longevity, continuity, or historical depth and is appropriate across diverse communication registers. While it appears predominantly in News & Media and Science sources, remember to avoid overstating the duration and be mindful of the specific context, and consider that, while not interchangeable, options like "numerous generations", "several generations", or "multiple generations" may be appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Use "many generations" to accurately represent significant spans of time involving multiple descendants or periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous generations

Emphasizes the quantity of generations involved.

several generations

Indicates more than a few generations, but may imply a slightly shorter timeframe than "many generations".

multiple generations

Highlights the multiplicity of generations.

a long line of descendants

Focuses on the lineage and succession of family members over time.

successive generations

Stresses the sequential nature of generations following one after another.

a multitude of generations

Similar to numerous generations, it conveys a great quantity of generations.

across generations

Focuses on an element/characteristic shared or passed from one to the next.

for generations

Refers to a custom or tradition that has persisted.

down through the ages

A more figurative expression, emphasizing the historical aspect over a very long time.

for many years

While not explicitly about generations, it suggests a long period, which can be associated with multiple generations.

FAQs

How can I use "many generations" in a sentence?

You can use "many generations" to indicate that something has been happening or existing for a long time, involving multiple family lines or time periods. For example, "This land has been farmed by "many generations" of the same family".

What's a phrase similar to "many generations"?

Alternatives to "many generations" include "numerous generations", "several generations", or "multiple generations", each conveying a similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

Is it correct to say "for many generation" instead of "many generations"?

No, the correct phrase is ""many generations"". The word "generations" should be plural because "many" indicates more than one generation.

What is the difference between "many generations" and "across generations"?

"Many generations" refers to the length of time or the number of family lines involved, while "across generations" focuses on something that is shared or passed down between different generations.