multitude of years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "multitude of years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a large number of years, often in a context discussing time or experience. Example: "After a multitude of years spent in research, the scientist finally made a groundbreaking discovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This anomaly can be explained by a volcanic dust veil reducing solar radiation and thus primary production threatening food security over a multitude of years.

Nature

Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

Huffington Post

"I do believe that the United States has been taken advantage of for a multitude of years," said Al Choiniere, the chief operating officer at Superion Inc.

Huffington Post

"I do believe that the United States has been taken advantage of for a multitude of years," said Al Choiniere, the chief operating officer at Superion Inc. CORRECTION: A previous version of this story indicated Harley Davidson's SEC filing said the company will move some production to Europe.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Among the multitude of year- and decade-end lists of books, there is one you probably won't be using as inspiration for stocking-stuffers — simply because most of the books on it don't yet exist in the United States.

The New Yorker

They will have worked on their multitude of year-end papers and projects for months before they are due, handing them in on time and stress free.

Vice

OO Connecting The Dots On 2016's Extreme Summer Weather And Global Warming "Whether it's the multitude of thousand-year flooding events we've seen over the past year, the massive wildfires, the strongest hurricanes in both hemispheres, etc., we are now dealing with the impacts of climate change on a daily basis," says climate scientist Michael Mann.

Huffington Post

A multitude of hands took 13 years to make it, out of house paint, vehicle paint, spray paint, any paint they could find.

The Guardian - Arts

Award winners have explored a multitude of topics over the years, from human rights in North Korea to the rise of democracy in Indonesia and from the U.S.-Japan alliance to gender equality in India.

Stanford University

A ubiquitous figure, both in pop culture and history, the representation of the witch is by no means uniform; she's been interpreted in a multitude of ways over the years, from repulsive to stunning, evil to virtuous, air-headed to cunning.

Huffington Post

The large number of existing documents and the production of a multitude of new ones every year raise important issues in efficient handling, retrieval and storage of these documents and the information which they contain.

Springer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "multitude of years" when you want to emphasize a significantly long period, especially when highlighting accumulated experience, tradition, or lasting impact. For example, "The ancient city bore witness to a "multitude of years" of cultural evolution."

Common error

Avoid using "multitude of years" in informal contexts where simpler phrases like "many years" or "a long time" are more appropriate. Overly formal language can sound unnatural in casual conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "multitude of years" functions as a modifier of time, emphasizing a long duration. It serves to highlight the extensive period over which something occurs or has been experienced. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "multitude of years" serves to emphasize a significantly long period. While grammatically correct and validated by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare. Its most frequent applications are within News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating a formal tone. Alternatives like "many years" or "numerous years" may be more appropriate for general usage. When using "multitude of years", ensure it aligns with the formality of your writing to prevent it from sounding out of place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many years

Replaces "multitude of" with the simpler "many", reducing the emphasis on a vast quantity.

a great number of years

Substitutes "multitude" with "a great number", maintaining a formal tone.

numerous years

Replaces "multitude" with "numerous", suggesting a substantial quantity without being overly emphatic.

several years

Indicates more than a few years, but less than "many".

a considerable period

Focuses on the length of time, replacing the specific mention of "years" with a more general term.

an extended duration

Highlights the length of time passing, similar to a considerable period.

a long time

Offers a simpler, more general way to express a significant duration.

for ages

An informal way to suggest a long duration.

over the decades

Specifically refers to a period spanning multiple decades.

through the centuries

Refers to a very long period, spanning multiple centuries.

FAQs

How can I use "multitude of years" in a sentence?

Use "multitude of years" to emphasize a very long duration or extensive period of time, especially in formal contexts. For example, "The project required a "multitude of years" of dedication and research."

What can I say instead of "multitude of years"?

You can use alternatives like "many years", "a great number of years", or "numerous years" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "multitude of years" or "many years"?

"Multitude of years" is more emphatic and formal, highlighting a vast amount of time. "Many years" is simpler and suitable for general use. The better choice depends on the desired tone and emphasis.

What's the difference between "multitude of years" and "extended period"?

"Multitude of years" specifically refers to a long duration measured in years, while "extended period" is a more general term that can refer to any significant duration of time, not necessarily years.