playing for decades

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "playing for decades" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has been engaged in an activity, typically music or sports, for a long period of time. Example: "The band has been playing for decades, captivating audiences with their timeless music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Its main attractions are a pool no one would be caught dead in past age 10 and a boccie court where the same men have been playing for decades.

The New York Times

Party apparatchiks and other "nomenklatura" with social pull have been quietly playing for decades in courts hidden from the public, but new cooperative courts have been opening and more of the public has been going to the black market to buy equipment.

The New York Times - Sports

No player, not even those who have been playing for decades, get it right all the time.

HuffPost

Lately, when I get upset about the past showing its face in the present, be it through my own ghosts or my partner's, or with my family, in the roles we have been playing for decades, I try to stay present in the moment and stand still with the feelings as they come, realizing that there is nothing that can be done about the past aside from accepting it.

Huffington Post

To really get an edge in bridge, nothing beats learning from people who have been playing for decades.

WikiHow

It would not be the orchestra it is — playing, for decades, before thousands in this city's front yard — without the memories of performances in pounding rains, peculiar fogs, tornado scares, sudden swarms of bugs (so thick one could not take a breath to play the next note without ingesting a few) and, yes, brutal, crushing heat.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr. Mazzeo played for decades in the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

The New York Times

We will improve services and cut them!" The game has been played for decades.

Independent

In St . Louis baseball has been played for decades on the grass once known as Sportsman's Park.

The New York Times - Sports

At the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, Green was introduced to "the great game," which Sherlockians had played for decades.

The New Yorker

While second-guessing the Fed is a parlor game that traders have played for decades, it is an exercise that has taken on heightened significance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a tradition or activity that has existed for a long time, use "playing for decades" to emphasize its enduring nature and historical context.

Common error

Avoid using "playing for decades" when the activity spans less than 20 years. Instead, use "playing for several years" or a more specific timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "playing for decades" functions as a verb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase, indicating the duration of an activity. It describes the action of playing that has been happening over an extended period, as illustrated by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "playing for decades" is a grammatically sound and generally acceptable way to describe engaging in an activity over a long time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, emphasizing the enduring nature of an action or tradition. When using this phrase, ensure that the activity has indeed spanned at least 20 years to maintain accuracy and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performing for many years

Replaces "playing" with "performing" and "decades" with "many years", slightly altering the emphasis.

practicing for several decades

Replaces "playing" with "practicing," implying a focus on skill development over time.

involved for numerous years

Emphasizes involvement over playing, using "numerous years" as an alternative to "decades".

active in the field for generations

Uses "active in the field" to convey involvement and "generations" to emphasize the extended duration.

pursuing for decades

Highlights the active pursuit of an activity, rather than just engagement in it.

participating continuously for an age

Highlights continuous participation, replacing "decades" with the more figurative "an age".

long-standing engagement

This is a more formal, concise option that replaces the verb phrase with a noun phrase.

a veteran player

Focuses on the individual's experience and longevity, implying long-term involvement.

doing it for donkey's years

An informal, idiomatic expression for doing something for a very long time.

at it for ages

Similar to "doing it for donkey's years", is a less formal way of saying doing something for a very long time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "playing for decades" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "long-standing engagement" or "involved for numerous years" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "playing for decades" and "playing for many years"?

"Playing for decades" implies a period of at least 20 years, while "playing for many years" is more general and could refer to a shorter timeframe. "Playing for decades" emphasizes the enduring nature of the activity.

Is it correct to say "playing for a decade"?

Yes, it is correct to say "playing for a decade". It refers to a period of ten years, whereas "playing for decades" refers to multiple ten-year periods.

Can I use "playing for decades" in a negative context?

Yes, you can use "playing for decades" in a negative context. For example, "The blame game from both sides has been "playing out for decades", getting us nowhere."