over the generations

USAGE SUMMARY

"over the generations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a long period of time or to indicate something has been passed down or maintained through a long period of time. For example: "Many of the customs of our culture have been passed down over the generations".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Favourable mutations accumulate over the generations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This mythology grows over the generations.

The Guardian

Changes, and therefore differences, gradually accumulate over the generations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They have migrated there for jobs over the generations.

The Guardian

Over the generations, districts rise and fall and rise again.

The New York Times - Magazine

Black and blood Seminoles have intermarried over the generations.

The New York Times

It is because of this that the species has thrived over the generations.

The New York Times - Science

It is organic and everything is home made from recipes passed down over the generations.

The Guardian - Travel

What does stand up over the generations are the deep, dark secrets.

The New York Times

"Many Peruvians walk with their heads down, defeated by poverty over the generations.

The New York Times

Over the generations, they have consistently voted in favor of enhanced male mass.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over the generations" to emphasize the transmission of knowledge, traditions, or genetic traits across multiple generations. It adds a sense of historical continuity and legacy.

Common error

Be mindful not to use "over the generations" when the context already implies a multi-generational timeframe. Redundancy can weaken your writing; choose concise alternatives where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the generations" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate a timeframe spanning multiple generations. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Unknown

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over the generations" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the passage of time across multiple generations. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, it serves to underscore continuity, inheritance, or evolutionary changes. While versatile, avoid redundant usage. Substitute with alternatives like "across the generations" or "throughout the years" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

across the generations

Changes preposition from 'over' to 'across', slightly altering the perspective but retaining the core meaning.

throughout the generations

Replaces 'over' with 'throughout', emphasizing a continuous process spanning multiple generations.

in successive generations

Emphasizes the sequence and continuation through multiple generations.

from generation to generation

Highlights the sequential passing of something between generations.

in the course of generations

Formally highlights the period of multiple generations.

down through the ages

Uses more figurative language, implying a longer and more historical timescale.

throughout history

Indicates that something has occurred across a long period of historical time, beyond just family lines.

across time

A more general phrase indicating the passage of time, not specifically related to generations.

over time

A broader phrase referring to a period of time, which might or might not involve multiple generations.

for many years

Simple and direct way to state that something happened for a long time.

FAQs

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

You can use "over the generations" to describe how something has been passed down, changed, or maintained through successive family lines. For example, "Traditional recipes have been preserved "over the generations"."

What's a simpler way to say "over the generations"?

Simpler alternatives include "over time", "through the years", or "historically", depending on the specific context.

Is "across the generations" interchangeable with "over the generations"?

While similar, "across the generations" often emphasizes a shared experience or connection between different generations, whereas ""over the generations"" focuses on the progression or evolution across time.

Can "over the generations" be used to describe genetic changes?

Yes, ""over the generations"" can effectively describe genetic mutations, inherited traits, or evolutionary adaptations that occur across successive generations of a species. An example could be: "Beneficial mutations accumulate "over the generations"."