over the centuries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over the centuries" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe changes or events that have taken place over a long period of time. For example, "Over the centuries, humanity has made great strides in technological advancement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over the centuries, traditions shifted.

The New York Times - Travel

Tastes change over the centuries.

The New York Times - Travel

Over the centuries, not much has changed.

The Economist

Times change over the centuries.

Yale University

These bridges have resisted over the centuries.

Journal of Cultural Heritage

Different national scripts proliferated over the centuries.

The New Yorker

How have legislators over the centuries worked?

The New York Times - Books

That collaboration continued over the centuries.

Nature

And the insurance industry developed over the centuries.

Yale University

It has taken on over the centuries a carnivalesque character.

Yale University

Over the centuries these movements bridged continental divides.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over the centuries" to emphasize gradual change or development across multiple centuries. For example, "Technologies have evolved over the centuries".

Common error

Avoid using "over the centuries" when referring to shorter periods. If the change happened in the last few decades, use "in recent decades" instead. "Over the centuries" implies a change spanning at least 200 years.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the centuries" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a time frame. It specifies that an action, process, or condition has occurred or evolved during a period spanning multiple centuries, similar to examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over the centuries" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe events or changes occurring across a long period. It’s grammatically sound and sees frequent use across diverse contexts, especially in news, academic writing, and encyclopedic entries, as observed from Ludwig's examples. The Ludwig AI confirms its common usage to provide a temporal perspective, often emphasizing gradual or cumulative effects. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a multi-century time span; otherwise, opt for alternatives like "throughout history" or "in recent decades" for shorter durations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for centuries

Emphasizes the duration of centuries, but does not explicitly imply a change or evolution.

throughout history

Emphasizes historical events and developments more directly than "over the centuries".

with the passage of time

Highlights the transformative effect of time passing, emphasizing gradual evolution.

across the ages

Focuses on a more poetic or timeless quality compared to the specific span implied by "centuries".

down the ages

Similar to "across the ages", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on continuous transmission.

in the course of time

Highlights the gradual progression of events and changes, suitable for less formal contexts.

across generations

Focuses on the impact or transmission of something from one generation to the next.

throughout the years

Similar to "over time", but emphasizes the accumulation of years and experiences.

over time

A more general phrase indicating change or development without specifying a particular time span.

in the long run

Implies a focus on ultimate or eventual outcomes, rather than specific historical changes.

FAQs

How do I use "over the centuries" in a sentence?

Use "over the centuries" to describe processes, trends, or developments that have occurred across several centuries. For instance, "Architectural styles have transformed "over the centuries", reflecting changing cultural values".

What are some alternatives to "over the centuries"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "throughout history", "across the ages", or "in the course of time".

Is it correct to say "during the centuries" instead of "over the centuries"?

While "during the centuries" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""over the centuries"" is more common and emphasizes the duration and cumulative effect of time. "During the centuries" might refer to events occurring within a specific period, rather than spanning the entire duration.

How does "over the centuries" differ from "in past centuries"?

"Over the centuries" emphasizes a continuous development or change, while "in past centuries" simply refers to events that happened at some point in the past centuries. The first indicates evolution, the second indicates occurrence.