three decades old

USAGE SUMMARY

"three decades old" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could write, "The palace has been standing for three decades old."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

This story is about three decades old.

The New York Times

Malaysia's programme that is nearly three decades old was investigated.

Tourism Management Perspectives

It was a small volume, nearly three decades old, about sailplanes, a type of unpowered aircraft.

The New York Times - Sports

Too, practice makes perfect, and Mr. Dunn is no beginner; his company is three decades old.

The New York Times - Arts

"Newark still carries the burden of perceptions that are more than three decades old," he said.

The New York Times

The show is three decades old but hard to place on a trajectory of the times.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Of the 13 nations in the three decades-old cartel, only Gabon produces less oil than Ecuador.

The New York Times

The director Roman Polanski has failed in his latest effort to have the three decades-old sexual assault charges against him dismissed.

Independent

"Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey," Fox's reboot of the three-decades-old Carl Sagan PBS program, was simulcast on 10 different networks, hooked a total of 8.5 million viewers and a rating of 2.9 in the key demo.

Los Angeles Times

The implosion of a three-decades-old dictatorship could not fail to leave a mess.

The Economist

Citing a three-decades-old law, the central government demanded the town fly the flag of Spain.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "three decades old" to provide a general sense of age or duration without being overly precise. For specific timelines, state the exact years.

Common error

Avoid exclusively using phrases like "three decades old" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Mix it up with specific dates or more descriptive language to keep the writing engaging and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "three decades old" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It specifies the age or duration of something, as validated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "three decades old" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is approximately thirty years old. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news, media, science, and academic writing. While precise, consider using specific dates or related terms to enhance clarity and engagement. Ludwig's examples highlight that "three decades old" is often used to provide context or establish a temporal reference point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thirty years of age

Uses a more literal and numerical description of age.

aged three decades

Reverses the structure to emphasize the aging process.

three decades in existence

Focuses on the period something has existed or been around.

dating back three decades

Emphasizes the point in time when something originated.

for thirty years

A more concise way of stating the duration.

established three decades ago

Highlights the establishment or founding of something.

in its fourth decade

Refers to something currently in its fourth decade, implying slightly more than three decades.

of thirty years duration

A more formal and precise way to specify the length of time.

three-decade-long

Adjectival form describing something that lasts for three decades.

approximately thirty years old

Includes an element of approximation about the age.

FAQs

How can I use "three decades old" in a sentence?

You can use "three decades old" to describe the age of something. For instance, "The building is "three decades old", showcasing architectural styles from that era."

What are some alternatives to saying "three decades old"?

Alternatives include "thirty years of age", "aged three decades", or specifying the exact years (e.g., 'built in the 1990s').

Is it more appropriate to say "three decades old" or "thirty years old"?

Both are correct, but "three decades old" is more conversational, while "thirty years old" is more precise. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

What does it mean when something is described as "three decades old"?

It signifies that something has existed, been in use, or been around for approximately thirty years. This phrase is often used to indicate the age or longevity of an object, idea, or institution.