over evolutionary time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over evolutionary time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe changes or developments that occur gradually throughout the course of evolution. Example: "Species adapt to their environments over evolutionary time, leading to significant changes in their physical and behavioral traits."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It provides the long-term flexibility that permits natural systems to reproduce and adapt over evolutionary time.

The New York Times

Over evolutionary time, they have radiated into almost all marine habitats including deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

Geobiology

Even free will, he thinks, evolves over evolutionary time.

The New Yorker

However, many adaptations are produced over evolutionary time.

Journal of Biomechanics

Pigot, A. L. & Tobias, J. A. Species interactions constrain geographic range expansion over evolutionary time.

Nature

Over evolutionary time, the icefish accumulated lipids, or fats, which, like oil, float in water.

The New York Times - Science

Mental reorganization at that scale happens over evolutionary time, not because you got a smartphone.

The New York Times

Groussin, M. et al. Unraveling the processes shaping mammalian gut microbiomes over evolutionary time.

Nature

What happens at the molecular levels as one species is transformed into another over evolutionary time?

University of California, Berkeley

Further, we can resurrect ancestral types to examine changes over evolutionary time.

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development

"The wasps are tracking their hosts over evolutionary time," he said.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over evolutionary time" to emphasize gradual changes in species or ecosystems, highlighting the timeframe involved in adaptation and diversification.

Common error

Avoid using "over evolutionary time" when discussing short-term ecological changes or individual organism lifespans; it's specifically suited for changes that accumulate across many generations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over evolutionary time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the timeframe in which evolutionary processes occur. It emphasizes the gradual and long-term nature of these changes, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

24%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over evolutionary time" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase, predominantly found in scientific and academic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates the gradual unfolding of evolutionary processes across extended timescales. Its function is to provide temporal context, emphasizing that these changes occur over many generations. While alternatives like "throughout evolutionary history" or "across evolutionary timescales" exist, "over evolutionary time" specifically underscores the continuous nature of evolution. Remember to use this phrase when discussing changes that accumulate across numerous generations to accurately reflect the scale of evolutionary adaptation and diversification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throughout evolutionary history

Focuses on the entire span of evolutionary events rather than a specific period.

across evolutionary timescales

Emphasizes the duration and scale at which evolutionary changes occur.

in the course of evolution

Highlights the progression and path that evolution follows.

during the evolutionary process

Focuses on the mechanisms and steps involved in evolutionary change.

with the passage of evolutionary time

Emphasizes the continuous nature of time and its impact on evolution.

over the long term, evolutionarily

Highlights the extended period required for significant evolutionary changes.

in evolutionary terms

Indicates viewing changes from an evolutionary perspective.

evolutionarily speaking

Similar to "in evolutionary terms" but slightly more informal.

from an evolutionary standpoint

Highlights the perspective of evolutionary biology when considering changes.

in deep time

Implies vast geological or evolutionary timescales.

FAQs

How can I use "over evolutionary time" in a sentence?

You can use "over evolutionary time" to describe gradual changes in species, for example: "Species adapt to new environments "over evolutionary time"."

What are some alternatives to saying "over evolutionary time"?

Alternatives include "throughout evolutionary history", "across evolutionary timescales", or "in the course of evolution", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "during evolutionary time" instead of "over evolutionary time"?

While "during evolutionary time" isn't incorrect, ""over evolutionary time"" is more commonly used to emphasize the gradual process and accumulated changes that occur across generations.

What’s the difference between "over evolutionary time" and "in evolutionary terms"?

"Over evolutionary time" refers to the duration and timeframe of evolutionary processes, while "in evolutionary terms" implies a perspective or analysis from an evolutionary biology viewpoint.