per decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "per decade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a rate or frequency of occurrence over a ten-year period. Example: "The population of the city has increased by 20% per decade since the 1990s."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Five percent per decade?

MIT Technology Review

Derocher: It's about one week per decade.

Yale University

Correction/addition: That should have been: 0.11 C per decade and 0.25 C per decade!

Princeton University

Measured warming is 0.11 degrees C per decade; the model predictions average 0.25 C per decade.

Princeton University

Blue water flow increased by 0.21 × 109 m3 per decade and total flow increased by 0.44 × 109 m3 per decade.

Journal of Hydrology

The tropics are expanding by half a degree per decade.

Yale University

The observed change in Rs was −4.5 W m−2 decade−1 (−2.6% per decade); the mean Ta increased by 0.27 °C per decade; U decreased by −0.10 m s−1 decade−1 (−6% per decade); and D increased by 0.012 kPa per decade (2% per decade).

Journal of Hydrology

The actual number is approximately 0.35 degrees Fahrenheit per decade.

The New York Times

"Earlier it was one superstar per decade," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The rates of decline in isokinetic strength averaged 14% per decade for knee extensors and 16% per decade for knee flexors in men and women.

Duke University

That district was later eliminated in the once-per-decade redistricting.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "per decade", ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured or assessed over the ten-year period. For example, specify whether it's an average, a total, or a rate of change.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a trend "per decade" will continue linearly into the future. Environmental, social, and technological factors can cause significant shifts, invalidating simple extrapolations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "per decade" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the time scale over which a rate, change, or trend is measured. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase for expressing frequency over a ten-year period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "per decade" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to express rates of change or measurements over ten-year periods. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is grammatically correct and most frequently found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While "per decade" can effectively communicate trends, be mindful of potential misinterpretations regarding long-term projections. Alternatives like "every ten years" or "decennially" may suit specific contexts, but "per decade" remains a clear and widely accepted choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every ten years

Replaces "per decade" with a more explicit time frame, suitable for general contexts.

each decade

Similar to "every ten years", providing a direct alternative.

at a decadal rate

Focuses on the rate of change occurring within a decade.

decennially

A formal adverb meaning 'every ten years'. Less common than "per decade".

on a decennial basis

Formal, emphasizing the regular ten-year intervals.

in ten-year increments

Emphasizes the discrete steps of ten years.

over a ten-year period

Highlights the duration of the time frame.

for each ten-year span

More descriptive, specifying a duration of ten years.

within a decade

Indicates that something happens or changes during a ten-year timeframe.

during the decade

Focuses on the events occurring within a specific decade.

FAQs

How do I use "per decade" in a sentence?

Use "per decade" to express a rate or change occurring every ten years. For example, "The city's population increased by 15% per decade."

What's a formal alternative to "per decade"?

A more formal alternative is "decennially". However, "per decade" is acceptable in most formal contexts.

How does the meaning of "per decade" differ from "every year"?

"Per decade" refers to changes or measurements occurring every ten years, while "every year" indicates annual occurrences. If something increases "every year" by 1%, the total increase per decade is not simply 10% due to compounding.

Is it accurate to use "per decade" for projections?

While "per decade" can describe past trends, be cautious when using it for future projections. Unforeseen factors can alter trends, making long-term predictions unreliable.