over past generations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over past generations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to changes, developments, or trends that have occurred throughout previous generations. Example: "The values of our society have evolved significantly over past generations, reflecting shifts in cultural norms and beliefs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But there is a problem: the system of social services that has been built up over past generations isn't designed to increase poor people's "capacity to aspire" and pursue their goals.

The New York Times

Over past generations, the results of analyzed data were represented as visualized plots and graphs.

Journal of Big Data

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But perhaps the most impressive feature that carries over from past generations is the InstaClip button, which lets you press a button to retroactively record the past few minutes, capturing a moment you weren't quite ready for.

TechCrunch

CMOS bulk technologies have improved over the past generations owing to the possibility of reduced ESD layout dimensions.

Microelectronics Reliability

The underrepresentation has gotten worse over the past generation.

The New York Times

But over the past generation, the archetypes changed.

The New York Times - Food

The average retirement age of Supreme Court justices over the past generation is 80.

The New York Times

That's where things have unquestionably deteriorated over the past generation.

The New Yorker

Over the past generation a new wave of 500,000 Muslim immigrants have made Spain their home.

The Economist

This phenomenon helped cause the massive growth of inequality in the United States over the past generation.

The New York Times

So, over the past generation, income taxes, and especially capital-gains taxes, have grown in importance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "over past generations", ensure that the context clearly indicates a gradual change or development occurring across multiple generations, rather than a single event.

Common error

Avoid using "over past generations" when referring to a single generation or a short period. This phrase implies a longer, multigenerational timescale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over past generations" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timeframe in which an action or change has occurred. It specifies that the action or change has taken place gradually across multiple generations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over past generations" is a grammatically correct way to describe changes or trends that have occurred gradually across multiple generations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though notes its relative infrequency. It is most commonly found in news and scientific contexts and serves to provide a historical timeframe for observed changes. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates gradual, multigenerational development and consider alternatives like "through previous generations" for similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through previous generations

Replaces "over" with "through", emphasizing the passage of influence or characteristics.

in prior generations

Replaces "past" with "prior", conveying the same meaning with slightly more formal language.

across earlier generations

Substitutes "past" with "earlier", focusing on a slightly more distant timeframe.

for many generations

Emphasizes the length of time involved, suggesting a long history.

in bygone eras

Uses more evocative language to refer to past times, implying a sense of history.

down through the ages

A more poetic and dramatic way to refer to the passage of time through generations.

in former times

A more general way to refer to the past, lacking the generational specificity.

historically

Focuses on the historical perspective, often used in academic or analytical contexts.

throughout history

A broad reference to the entirety of history, lacking the specificity of generations.

over the decades

Specifies a time frame of decades instead of generations.

FAQs

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

Use "over past generations" to describe changes, trends, or influences that have developed gradually through multiple familial or societal groups. For example, "Cultural norms have shifted significantly "over past generations"".

What is a more formal alternative to "over past generations"?

A more formal alternative would be "through successive generations" or "across prior generations", both of which maintain the intended meaning while sounding more sophisticated.

Is there a difference between "over past generations" and "over recent generations"?

Yes, "over recent generations" implies a shorter and more immediate timeframe compared to ""over past generations"", which can encompass a longer and more distant period.

Can "over past generations" be used to describe individual changes?

No, ""over past generations"" is best used to describe changes that impact a collective group or society, rather than individual experiences. Use alternative phrasing to describe individual changes.