over the last decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'over the last decade' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has happened or changed in the last ten years. Example: Over the last decade, technological advancements have revolutionized the way we work and live.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All that changed over the last decade.

The New York Times - Arts

have been developed over the last decade.

Journal of Computational Physics

But over the last decade it is not.

The New York Times

And, over the last decade, it actually declined.

The New York Times

Cosmetic surgery has quadrupled over the last decade.

The New York Times - Books

Over the last decade, there were 63.

The Guardian

Chagas disease incidence has sharply declined over the last decade.

Acta Tropica

Poststroke rehabilitation care has evolved considerably over the last decade.

Revue Neurologique

have been initiated or developed over the last decade.

Comptes Rendus Biologies

Over the last decade, the manufacturing landscape has changed worldwide.

CIRP Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology

Over the last decade, RTP has become a mature application.

Materials Science and Engineering: B

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about the starting and ending points if the context requires more precision than a general ten-year period. For example, specify "from 2015 to 2025".

Common error

Avoid assuming that trends observed "over the last decade" will continue unchanged into the future. Acknowledge potential shifts or disruptions that may alter the trajectory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the last decade" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun phrase to specify a timeframe. It's commonly used to introduce a period during which a particular trend, change, or event has occurred. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over the last decade" is a grammatically sound and very common way to describe trends and changes that have occurred in the past ten years. As validated by Ludwig, it's suitable for various writing styles, particularly in news, science, and academic contexts. To enhance your writing, remember to support claims with comprehensive evidence covering the entire decade and avoid assuming linear progressions. Consider using alternatives like "in the past ten years" or "during the previous decade" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the past ten years

Focuses on the completed period of ten years, whereas "over the last decade" implies a continuing process.

during the previous decade

Refers to the decade immediately preceding the current one, providing a slightly more specific timeframe.

throughout the recent decade

Emphasizes the continuous nature of events occurring during the decade.

within the last ten years

Highlights that events occurred at some point inside the ten-year period.

in the course of the last ten years

Stresses the progression of events as they unfolded during the specified period.

for the preceding ten years

Similar to "during the previous decade", providing a defined timeframe before the present.

since the mid-2010s

More specific, referencing a particular point in time from which changes have occurred.

in recent times

More general, lacking the specific ten-year timeframe.

lately

Implies a shorter, more indefinite period than a decade.

in the current era

Much broader, referring to a larger span of time than just the last ten years.

FAQs

What does "over the last decade" mean?

The phrase "over the last decade" refers to the period of the most recent ten years. It's used to describe trends, changes, or events that have occurred during this timeframe.

How can I use "over the last decade" in a sentence?

You can use "over the last decade" to introduce a statement about changes or developments within the past ten years. For example, "Over the last decade, renewable energy adoption has increased significantly."

What are some alternatives to saying "over the last decade"?

You can use alternatives like "in the past ten years", "during the previous decade", or "throughout the recent decade" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "over the last decade" and "in the last decade"?

While similar, "over the last decade" often implies a process or trend that has unfolded gradually, whereas "in the last decade" may refer to something that occurred at some point within that period. Both are generally acceptable, but context may favor one over the other.