over numerous generations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over numerous generations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or change that occurs across many generations of people, animals, or plants. Example: "The tradition has been passed down over numerous generations, shaping the culture of our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This knowledge became enriched over numerous generations due to experimentation but also through observations of animal behaviour [10].

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

Some changes occur over numerous generations, even thousands of years, while others, especially involving microbes, including those in our own microbiome, are observable in hours or days.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

They are cyclical parthenogens (see Fig. 1 for rotifer life cycle) that reproduce asexually over numerous generations, thereby allowing both fast colonization and a prolonged phase of clonal selection.

Plosone

Both spacer and target can be maintained intact over numerous generations of inhibited growth.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

This model was generated by selective inbreeding of non-diabetic Wistar rats with impaired glucose tolerance over numerous generations [ 19].

Cardiovascular Diabetology

During mass rearing, biocontrol larvae have been fed ad libitum on highly nutritious unnatural prey (E. kuehniella eggs) over numerous generations.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

For the last ten years, numerous generations have been meeting a person known as Spitman.

Vice

Ata: We've tested numerous generations of the product with different group of smokers so far.

Huffington Post

Research by numerous scholars over numerous decades suggests that innovation thrives in diversity.

Huffington Post

Multiple allegations of narco-links hang over numerous candidates.

Vice

Four over-lapping generations were simulated.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over numerous generations" to emphasize the gradual or cumulative effect of a process across a significant number of generations, highlighting long-term impact or change.

Common error

Avoid using "over numerous generations" when "for many years" or "for a long time" would suffice. The phrase is most impactful when the generational aspect is central to the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over numerous generations" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the time frame across which an action or process occurs. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "over numerous generations" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as validated by Ludwig. It acts as an adverbial phrase used to emphasize the lengthy duration of a process or change across many generations. This phrase is most commonly found in science and news media contexts to describe evolution, cultural shifts, or long-term trends. While alternatives like "across numerous generations" and "for many generations" exist, this phrase specifically highlights both the generational aspect and the extended duration of the action. It's important to use it where this generational impact is central to the meaning and to avoid overuse in simpler contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

across numerous generations

Replaces 'over' with 'across', slightly shifting the focus to a broader scope or distribution across generations.

through numerous generations

Substitutes 'over' with 'through', implying a passage or journey across the generational timeline.

spanning numerous generations

Replaces the preposition with 'spanning' indicating the action encompasses the entire period of the generations.

for many generations

Uses a simpler structure, focusing on the extended duration of time across generations.

across a multitude of generations

Replaces 'numerous' with 'a multitude of' to amplify the quantity of generations.

through countless generations

Emphasizes the vast, immeasurable number of generations involved.

in successive generations

Highlights the sequential and continuous nature of the generations.

down through the generations

Emphasizes the passing of time and tradition from earlier to later generations.

over several generations

Reduces the emphasis on quantity by specifying 'several' instead of 'numerous'.

for generations

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the long-term duration without quantifying 'numerous'.

FAQs

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

You can use "over numerous generations" to describe changes, traditions, or biological adaptations that occur across many generations, as in: "The tradition has been passed down "across numerous generations", shaping the culture of our community."

What phrases are similar to "over numerous generations"?

Similar phrases include "for many generations", "across several generations", and "through countless generations", which all convey the idea of something happening or continuing across multiple generations.

Is it more appropriate to say "over numerous generations" or "across numerous generations"?

Both "over numerous generations" and "across numerous generations" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; "over" can imply a gradual process, while "across" suggests a distribution or spread.

What is the difference between "over generations" and "over numerous generations"?

"Over generations" implies a general sense of time passing through generations, while "over numerous generations" emphasizes that the process or change occurs across a large, unspecified number of generations, highlighting a more significant or prolonged impact.