over the past decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'over the past decade' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a span of time that covers the previous 10 years. For example, "Over the past decade, the population of my hometown has doubled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over the past decade, Kurds have come back.

The Guardian

But much has changed over the past decade.

The Economist

Over the past decade, it has fallen.

The New York Times

Over the past decade the pond has improved.

Ecological Engineering

Simulation facility design has progressed over the past decade.

Clinical Simulation in Nursing

Over the past decade VLSI manufacturing industry flourishing very rapidly.

Procedia Materials Science

Process modeling has made substantial progress over the past decade.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

It's saying over the past decade, we did this.

Cornell University

Unfortunately, bee populations have been declining over the past decade.

Harvard University

Employee engagement has stagnated over the past decade or so.

University of California, Berkeley

Fluorescent molecular imaging has advanced drastically over the past decade.

Drug Discovery Today

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "over the past decade", ensure the events or changes you are describing align with this period. Avoid using it if referring to events outside this specific timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "over the past decade" loosely to refer to shorter or longer timeframes. For instance, don't say "over the past decade" when you mean "in the last few years" or "in the last fifteen years". Be precise with your timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the past decade" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying the period during which an action, event, or trend has occurred. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "over the past decade" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to specify a timeframe encompassing the last ten years. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It appears most frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", indicating its suitability for diverse communication contexts. Related phrases include "in the last ten years" and "during the previous decade", offering similar temporal context. When using this phrase, ensure accuracy in temporal reference and avoid misusing it for shorter or longer timeframes. The phrase is useful for describing trends, changes, or events with a specific temporal anchor, contributing to clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the last ten years

Emphasizes the specific duration of ten years.

during the previous decade

Highlights the preceding ten-year period.

for the last decade

Focuses on the duration and completion of the ten-year period.

in the past ten years

Similar to "in the last ten years", but slightly less formal.

throughout the last ten years

Emphasizes continuity throughout the ten-year period.

in the decade before now

A more descriptive and less common way of expressing the same timeframe.

the last ten-year period

Highlights the ten-year period as a specific segment of time.

during the past ten years

Similar to "in the past ten years", but slightly more formal.

for the decade just past

Implies a recent completion of the ten-year period.

within the last decade

Emphasizes that events occurred at some point within the ten-year timeframe.

FAQs

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

Use "over the past decade" to describe changes, trends, or events that have occurred during the last ten years. For example, "Over the past decade, the use of renewable energy has increased significantly".

What are some alternatives to "over the past decade"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in the last ten years", "during the previous decade", or "for the last decade", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in the past decade" instead of "over the past decade"?

Yes, "in the past decade" is a grammatically correct alternative. While the meaning remains the same, the choice often depends on stylistic preference or the flow of the sentence.

What's the difference between "over the past decade" and "in the last decade"?

The phrases "over the past decade" and "in the last decade" are largely interchangeable. Both refer to the period of the most recent ten years. The subtle difference lies in emphasis: "over" can imply a gradual change or process throughout the period, while "in" simply indicates that events occurred within that timeframe.