over the weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over the weeks" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate a duration of time, specifically a span of multiple weeks. Example: Over the weeks, her love for him grew stronger and stronger.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over the weeks, we added more complex games.

Princeton University

But over the weeks spent together they gradually came to know each other.

University of California, Berkeley

Politicians will no doubt come up with all manner of responses over the weeks to come.

The Economist

Over the weeks since his conviction, he has repeatedly portrayed himself as the victim.

The New York Times

"We would ask people to respect Joe's privacy now and over the weeks and months ahead".

Independent

The pout he perfected over the weeks on Strictly Come Dancing cannot go to waste.

The Guardian - Opinion

Over the weeks, every kid received this form of corporal punishment, boys and girls alike.

The New York Times - Magazine

Over the weeks and months of confinement, these girls will become my greatest friends.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And as the city fell, bit by bit over the weeks, its nature was revealed.

The Guardian

Cast changes in "Jewels" lie ahead, and many other repertory programs over the weeks to come.

The New York Times - Arts

That is what I tell God, over the weeks in France.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over the weeks" to describe a gradual change, development, or trend observed across several weeks. This phrasing works effectively when emphasizing a process or evolution occurring within that timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "over the weeks" when referring to specific, non-consecutive weeks or isolated incidents. This phrase best suits continuous or evolving situations, not discrete events scattered across time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the weeks" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying verbs or nouns to specify a duration of time. Ludwig examples show it describing gradual changes or processes occurring across multiple weeks. It indicates when something happens.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "over the weeks" is a grammatically sound and widely used prepositional phrase that denotes a period spanning multiple weeks. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. It is essential to employ it to describe gradual changes or evolving situations rather than isolated events. When a more formal tone is required, consider alternatives such as "during the aforementioned period". Remember not to use "over the week" as a substitute. Following this guide will help ensure its appropriate and effective application in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Throughout the weeks

Emphasizes continuous action or a consistent state persisting throughout the period.

Over a period of weeks

More explicitly specifies a duration, suitable when the length of time needs clarification.

During the weeks

Highlights activities or occurrences that took place within the specified weeks.

As the weeks progressed

Indicates a gradual development or unfolding of events as time passed.

In the following weeks

Similar to 'in the subsequent weeks', but can refer to a slightly less immediate timeframe.

In those weeks

Emphasizes the specific weeks being referred to.

In the intervening weeks

Focuses on the time that has passed between two events or points in time.

In the subsequent weeks

Highlights the period immediately following a particular event.

During that period

A more general way to refer to a specific duration of time.

Week after week

Highlights the repetitive nature of events happening each week.

FAQs

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

Use "over the weeks" to describe a process or change that occurs gradually during a period of several weeks. For instance, "Over the weeks, the patient's condition slowly improved."

What's a more formal alternative to "over the weeks"?

In more formal writing, consider using phrases like "during the aforementioned period" or "in the subsequent weeks" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it correct to say "over the week" instead of "over the weeks"?

No, "over the week" is grammatically incorrect when referring to a span of multiple weeks. Use "during the week" to refer to activities or events that occur within a single week or "over the weeks" to indicate a period of several weeks.

How does "over the weeks" differ from "within weeks"?

"Over the weeks" implies a continuous process or observation made across a period. "Within weeks" indicates a time limit or deadline for something to occur.