over many generations

USAGE SUMMARY

"over many generations" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a long period of time that spans several generations. Example: The family's land had been passed down over many generations, and each descendant had added their own improvements and traditions to it.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The effects over many generations are more important.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Over many generations, the frequency of the mutations in the population increases.

Columbia University

Over many generations, the frequency of the mutations in the population decreases.

Columbia University

Genetic variation will only slowly be restored through the accumulation of mutations over many generations.

University of California, Berkeley

Over many generations of random mutation and non-random selection, complex adaptations evolved.

University of California, Berkeley

Over many generations, they evolved attributes that helped them succeed in their watery environment.

The New York Times - Arts

Over many generations, as any disease kills off vulnerable victims, the host adapts to it.

The New York Times - Health

The Bhuttos, an aristocratic family, have built up their political base in Sindh over many generations.

The Economist

This pattern, continued over many generations, might have had more effect than the pressures of persecution.

The Economist

Such moral and spiritual capital is accumulated over many generations but can be easily eroded.

The Guardian

We Ronsons have a history, over many generations, of not responding well to the seas.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing societal or cultural shifts, use "over many generations" to highlight the gradual and accumulated nature of change. This emphasizes that these shifts aren't sudden but result from sustained trends across time.

Common error

Avoid using "over many generations" when referring to fleeting trends or short-lived phenomena. This phrase implies a lasting impact that extends far beyond a single lifetime.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over many generations" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time. It modifies verbs or clauses, indicating the duration or timescale of an action, process, or state. Ludwig examples show this is used to explain things like the duration of genetic changes, adaptation, and the transmission of values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over many generations" is a versatile and frequently used adverbial phrase that effectively conveys the idea of long-term development and lasting impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound expression and its wide range of authoritative sources confirms that it can be used in academic, scientific, news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure that the context aligns with the implication of generational time scales to avoid misrepresenting the duration of the described phenomena. Considering alternatives such as "across numerous generations" or "through successive generations" can provide subtle nuances in emphasis to better suit the intended message. Using the phrase in the correct way may improve the context and strength of the text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

across numerous generations

Replaces "many" with "numerous", emphasizing a large quantity of generations.

through successive generations

Focuses on the sequential aspect of generations passing.

spanning multiple generations

Highlights the extent of time covered by several generations.

for several generations

Indicates a period lasting a good number of generations.

over a long lineage

Emphasizes the family line and its duration through time.

in the course of generations

Highlights the gradual changes that happen as generations pass.

down through the ages

Broadens the scope to a more general sense of historical time.

across the span of generations

Stresses the duration and expansive nature of generational time.

from generation to generation

Emphasizes the transmission of something from one generation to the next.

through generational change

Focuses on change happening as different generations replace each other.

FAQs

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

You can use "over many generations" to describe processes, changes, or traditions that occur or are maintained across an extended period, impacting successive family lines or populations. For example, "The skills were passed down "from generation to generation", solidifying their expertise "over many generations"".

What are some alternatives to saying "over many generations"?

Alternatives include "across numerous generations", "through successive generations", or "spanning multiple generations". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "over many generations" or "across many generations"?

Both "over many generations" and "across many generations" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Over" suggests a duration or period, while "across" emphasizes the breadth or scope. Either can be suitable depending on the context.

How does the impact of cultural traditions develop "over many generations"?

Cultural traditions, when maintained "from generation to generation", shape societal norms and values. This process "over many generations" solidifies these customs, weaving them into the societal fabric.