over several generations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over several generations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process, change, or development that occurs across multiple generations of people, animals, or plants. Example: "The tradition has been passed down over several generations, evolving with each new family member."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This means this is a problem that will lead to very severe consequences for society over several generations".

The New Yorker

In brief, a simple way to increase microbial similarity is to generate a more stable microbiome by selective breeding of siblings over several generations.

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

Development will follow over several generations".

The Guardian

But this show, which examines the community's contribution to printmaking over several generations, breaks new ground.

The New York Times - Arts

"The worry is that maybe over several generations the effect could be accumulative," Goriely says.

The Guardian

Desertion by Abdulrazak Gurnah (Bloomsbury) is set in Mombasa, Zanzibar and Britain over several generations.

The Guardian - Books

In Britain, the upheavals of the industrial revolution were spread over several generations.

The Economist

They are like the Forsytes of a multicultural, working-class London, whose families, fates and secrets intertwine over several generations.

The New York Times

One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez: Moving story of a Colombian family over several generations.

The Guardian - Travel

Over several generations the genes for the two designs would be thoroughly scrambled, and the species would be homogenized.

The New York Times - Magazine

Urenco's centrifuge technology, honed over several generations of machines, is considered the most efficient way to enrich uranium.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing long-term cultural or genetic shifts, use "over several generations" to clearly indicate that changes occur gradually across familial lines.

Common error

Don't use "over several generations" when referring to short-term trends or changes that occur within a single generation. Ensure the context genuinely involves the passing of traits or phenomena across multiple familial lines.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over several generations" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the timeframe across which an action or process occurs. It provides temporal context, specifying that something happens gradually across multiple familial lines as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over several generations" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe events, changes, or developments that occur across multiple familial lines. Ludwig's analysis shows that it functions as an adverbial phrase, providing temporal context and emphasizing the long-term nature of a process. The phrase is used across various contexts, including science, news, and formal writing, and its neutral register makes it widely applicable. Remember to use this phrase when accurately depicting gradual changes and avoid applying it to short-term or single-generation phenomena. Ludwig's examples reinforce its usage in describing processes such as cultural shifts, genetic traits, and the evolution of traditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

across numerous generations

Replaces "several" with "numerous", emphasizing a large number of generations.

through multiple generations

Substitutes "over" with "through", focusing on the progression across generations.

spanning several generations

Uses "spanning" to highlight the duration and extent across generations.

throughout successive generations

Replaces "several" with "successive", indicating a continuous sequence of generations.

in the course of many generations

Emphasizes the timeline and duration of generations.

across the span of several generations

Adds "span of" for emphasis on the duration involved.

covering multiple generations

Uses "covering" to indicate encompassing a range of generations.

in subsequent generations

Focuses on later or following generations.

down through the generations

Highlights the passing of time and tradition.

over a period of generations

Highlights a time frame encompassing multiple generations.

FAQs

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

Use "over several generations" to describe changes, traditions, or effects that accumulate or evolve through familial lineage. For example, "The family business thrived "over several generations"".

What phrases are similar to "over several generations"?

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

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

Yes, "across several generations" is a valid and semantically similar alternative to "over several generations". Both phrases are used to describe something that extends or occurs through multiple familial lines.

What’s the difference between "over several generations" and "within a generation"?

"Over several generations" indicates changes or effects that accumulate across multiple familial lines, while "within a generation" refers to changes occurring during the lifespan of a single generation. They describe different time scales and familial scopes.