some decades ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some decades ago" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a past event that happened a number of years ago. For example, "Some decades ago, a new form of communication was invented - the telephone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

SOME decades ago, a grocery store's aisles were often filled with "chunk-a-chunk-a" sounds, as clerks stamped prices to the tops of cans and boxes before putting them on shelves.

The New York Times - Tech

It is also, as Stuart Hall and his colleagues put it some decades ago, for "policing the crisis".

The Guardian - Opinion

Doubtless it was accurate a century and some decades ago, and it still obtains today, though "cities" might now be a more appropriate word than "villages".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Contrary to views held some decades ago, however, the late Roman law, and with it west European legal doctrine, did not undergo any notable degree of Hellenization.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This urban phenomenon is known as the Manhattanhenge and Don DeLillo saw it once, some decades ago, while travelling crosstown at the back of a bus.

The Guardian - Books

The Canadian sculptor Walter Redinger, 65, gained notice some decades ago for his sleek biomorphic fiberglass pieces inflected by Pop and Surrealism.

The New York Times

One need only recall the move some decades ago to empty the state mental hospitals and provide supposedly more humane care in the community.

The New York Times

Some decades ago, B&Bs could have signs outside their doors stating "No gays, no blacks, no Irish", recalls Ben Summerskill, chief executive of the Stonewall gay rights group.

Independent

Some decades ago, you would have heard a sustained outcry against such dire conditions among blacks, and there would have been loud demands for policy changes designed to bring more black Americans into the economic mainstream.

The New York Times

Some decades ago, Mossad set up a Palestinian "terrorist" in a London flat as part of some nefarious black op, according to former British officials familiar with the case.

The New York Times

Veteran novelist George Garrett published The King of Babylon Shall Not Come Against You, an interesting and effective story that yoked crimes in a small Florida town some decades ago with the contemporary American soul.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "some decades ago" to provide a general timeframe without being overly specific. This works well when the exact year isn't crucial to the context.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "some decades ago" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise timeframe would be preferred. Instead, specify the particular decade or period if possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some decades ago" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an event occurred. It provides a general temporal reference, situating an action or state in the past without specifying an exact date. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "some decades ago" is a versatile and common way to refer to a period in the past, specifically several decades prior to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. It functions as an adverbial phrase, adding temporal context to statements across various domains like News & Media and Science, but also Encyclopedias. While its generality is useful, more formal contexts may benefit from greater precision. If greater clarity is needed, replace it with phrases like "a few decades back" or several decades in the past. Remember, using "some decades ago" effectively means striking a balance between providing context and avoiding vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few decades back

Replaces "ago" with "back" and uses "a few" for less precision.

several decades in the past

More explicit and formal, specifying the timeframe as being "in the past".

decades earlier

Slightly more concise, placing the emphasis on the earlier time.

in past decades

Emphasizes a period encompassing multiple past decades.

a generation or two ago

Relates the time period to generational spans, which can be less precise.

in previous decades

A more formal substitution, replacing "some" with "previous".

within the last few decades

More specific, setting a boundary to how far back the time extends.

years ago

Omits specification of a "decade", keeping the timeline unspecified.

in the distant past

A less specific and more dramatic way to refer to a time long ago.

in earlier times

A very general way of referring to a previous era.

FAQs

How can I use "some decades ago" in a sentence?

Use "some decades ago" to refer to events that occurred several decades in the past. For example, "Some decades ago, the internet was not yet widely available to the public".

What's a more formal alternative to "some decades ago"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "several decades in the past" or "in previous decades".

Is it better to be specific instead of saying "some decades ago"?

Specificity depends on the context. If the exact year or decade is known and relevant, provide it. If a general sense of time is sufficient, "some decades ago" is appropriate.

What are some similar phrases to "some decades ago"?

You could use phrases like "a few decades back", "a generation or two ago", or simply "years ago" depending on the context and desired level of precision.