past decades

USAGE SUMMARY

"past decades" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to certain decades in the past. For example, "We have seen great advances in technology in past decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Nevertheless, rates of employment showed improvement over past decades.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Emigration today is different from in past decades.

The New York Times

They were huge contributors to growth in past decades.

The Guardian - Opinion

The past decades we all saw the internet being free.

The Guardian - Tech

Many events with catastrophic consequences occurred over past decades.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

However, over the past decades this influx stagnated.

Comparative Migration Studies

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Literature, for instance, has been irrevocably diminished in past decades.

The New Yorker

Image segmentation has been studied extensively in the past decades.

Boundary Value Problems

Healthcare costs have increased significantly over the past decades.

Health Economics Review

This system has been widely studied during the past decades.

Boundary Value Problems

These inflows have increased significantly over the past decades.

IZA Journal of Migration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "past decades", be specific if you are referring to particular decades (e.g., the 1980s and 1990s) or a general period.

Common error

Avoid using "past decades" without context. Providing specific years or events helps the reader understand the intended timeframe and its relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past decades" functions as an adverbial modifier of time, specifying when certain events or trends occurred. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from scientific advancements to changes in societal behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

26%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "past decades" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to multiple decades before the present. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used across various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's best to provide specific context or years when possible to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "previous decades" or "recent decades" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember that "past decades" provides a temporal anchor, helping readers understand when events or changes occurred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous decades

Replaces "past" with "previous", indicating a time before the present.

recent decades

Substitutes "past" with "recent", emphasizing the nearness to the present time.

last few decades

Specifies a shorter, more immediate timeframe.

the last several decades

Adds emphasis on the extended but limited timeframe.

decades gone by

More evocative and less formal way to reference "past decades".

the preceding decades

Uses a more formal and academic tone to describe the prior time.

earlier decades

Indicates a more distant time than "past decades".

decades in the past

Reorders the words while maintaining the same basic meaning.

years gone by

Emphasizes the passage of time over a period of years.

the preceding years

Uses a more formal and academic tone to describe the prior time, but in the context of years.

FAQs

How can I use "past decades" in a sentence?

You can use "past decades" to refer to a period encompassing multiple decades before the present. For instance, "Scientists have made significant progress in understanding climate change over the "past decades"".

What's a more formal way to say "past decades"?

A more formal alternative to "past decades" could be "the preceding decades". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional writing.

Which is correct, "past decades" or "in the past decades"?

"Past decades" is generally preferred. "In the past decades" is less common and can sound awkward. Sticking with ""past decades"" ensures clarity and conciseness.

Is there a difference between "past decades" and "recent decades"?

"Recent decades" emphasizes a period closer to the present than ""past decades"". "Recent decades" might refer to the last 20-30 years, whereas "past decades" could encompass a longer timeframe.