over many years

USAGE SUMMARY

'over many years' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that has been ongoing for a long time. For example, "The father-son duo have been running their family business together for over many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A sensibility is developed only over many years.

The New York Times

He has shown that over many years.

Independent

That recipe was perfected over many years.

The New York Times

Her stepfather raped her over many years.

The Guardian

"Over many years you learn to relax".

The Guardian

It has happened over many years.

The Guardian - Business

We have had a wonderful friendship over many years.

The New Yorker

Rather, it accumulates by working with colleagues over many years.

The Economist

He draws heavily on their conversations over many years.

The Economist

Thus continuity in this case may extend over many years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He wooed clients slowly, often over many years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over many years" to describe processes, relationships, or developments that unfold gradually and persistently across an extended timeframe.

Common error

Refrain from using "over many years" when the timeframe is already implied. For example, instead of saying "The tradition evolved over many years over time", simply state "The tradition evolved over time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over many years" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses by specifying the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English, fitting naturally into descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over many years" serves as an adverbial phrase that pinpoints the duration of events, processes, or relationships. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, showing its frequent appearance in diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. It denotes a gradual or persistent progression over a considerable timeframe. Alternatives include "across the years" or "throughout the years", although the original phrase is versatile enough for most situations. Remember to avoid redundancy by omitting "over many years" when the long duration is already implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throughout the years

Similar meaning but can suggest a more continuous presence or activity.

during the course of years

Highlights the progression of time and its impact.

across the years

Focuses on spanning a period, less about accumulation or development.

over an extended duration

Focuses on the length of the period rather than recurrence.

for a prolonged period

Emphasizes length, without specifying multiple years.

with the passage of time

Highlights the effect of time on something.

as time goes by

Emphasizes ongoing change or development related to time.

in the fullness of time

Suggests a gradual process and eventual outcome with a more formal tone.

over the long haul

Emphasizes perseverance and continued effort.

in the long run

Focuses more on eventual outcomes after a substantial period.

FAQs

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

Use "over many years" to describe something that has developed or persisted for a long time. For instance, "Their friendship blossomed "over many years"" or "The company has grown "over many years"".

What are some alternatives to "over many years"?

You can use phrases like "across the years", "throughout the years", or "for a long time" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more correct to say "over many years" or "for many years"?

Both "over many years" and "for many years" are grammatically correct and widely used. "Over many years" often emphasizes the process or changes that occur during that time, while "for many years" simply indicates duration.

What's the difference between "over many years" and "in many years"?

"Over many years" describes a period during which something happens or develops. "In many years" refers to a point in the future after a long time has passed. For example, "Over many years, the city transformed" versus "In many years, we will see the impact of these decisions".