over generations

USAGE SUMMARY

'over generations' is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that has been happening or passed down through numerous generations. For example: "The traditions of this family have been passed down over generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These investments generate a pattern of persistence in labor earnings over generations.

IZA Journal of Migration

Generational change is just that -- it takes place over generations.

Huffington Post

Over generations, palates evolve and customs fade.

The New York Times - Food

"People accumulate wealth slowly, over generations.

The New York Times - Magazine

Farmer and land co-evolve over generations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dogs presumably gained this ability over generations of domestication.

The New York Times - Science

Countless safety drills learned over generations kicked in.

The New York Times

It is a language Peruvians have created over generations.

The New York Times

Culture evolves over generations and you can't buy it.

The New York Times

Public attitudes also change over time and over generations.

The New York Times

It happened because of determined work over generations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over generations" to emphasize the gradual accumulation of changes or the enduring impact of something through successive family lines or societal periods. For example, "Skills were passed down over generations".

Common error

Avoid using "over generations" when referring to short periods or within a single generation's lifespan. The phrase is best suited for describing phenomena that unfold across multiple descendant groups.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over generations" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate a process or state that extends across multiple generations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over generations" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that signifies processes, changes, or effects occurring across multiple generations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows it to be employed in diverse contexts, particularly in science and news media, to highlight long-term impacts and continuity. When writing, remember to use "over generations" to emphasize gradual changes across numerous family lines or societal periods. Alternative phrases like "across generations" or "throughout the generations" can be used for similar emphasis. The phrase is best applied when referencing phenomena that unfold over extended periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

across generations

This alternative emphasizes a horizontal span, highlighting impact or influence that extends from one generation to the next.

throughout the generations

This phrase underscores the continuous nature of something persisting through multiple generations.

for many generations

This focuses on the duration and longevity of something spanning numerous generations.

in successive generations

This alternative highlights the sequence and progression of generations.

down through the ages

This alternative is a more poetic and broader way of expressing something lasting a long time, implying historical significance.

from one generation to the next

This phrase is less concise but emphasizes the transfer or inheritance between generations.

through family lines

This specifies that the continuity or transmission occurs within families.

across the years

This phrase is more general, referring to the passage of time without specifically mentioning generations.

in the course of generations

This implies the gradual development or change occurring as generations pass.

over several life spans

This uses the concept of life spans as a measure of time instead of generations.

FAQs

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

The phrase "over generations" describes something that occurs or persists through many generations. For example: "Cultural traditions evolve "over generations"."

What are some alternatives to saying "over generations"?

You can use phrases like "across generations", "throughout the generations", or "for many generations" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "across generations" instead of "over generations"?

Both "across generations" and "over generations" are correct and often interchangeable. However, "over generations" might imply a more continuous or cumulative effect.

What is the difference between "in a generation" and "over generations"?

"In a generation" refers to something happening within the lifespan of a single generation. "Over generations" refers to something that happens or changes across multiple generations. It depends on the timeframe you are referring to.