through successive generations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "through successive generations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the transmission or evolution of something over multiple generations, often in contexts related to culture, heritage, or knowledge. Example: "The tradition of storytelling has been passed down through successive generations, enriching our community's cultural heritage."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Directed evolution optimizes protein function through successive generations of random mutation, artificial selection and screening.

Nature

By mating Isabela tortoises that are most genetically similar to G. elephantopus, selecting the offspring that are most similar and mating those, through successive generations the species' genetic makeup may be largely restored.

The New York Times - Science

Still, Hunt's journey through successive generations of new friends has its own pathos, since his chronic failure ever to get to grips with money tainted the very thing he stood for, namely, good fellowship.

The Economist

In the United States and other Western countries, some prominent political families have certainly wielded power through successive generations — think of the Kennedys or Bushes — but entrenched dynasties and the influence of elders are becoming particularly noteworthy in China.

The New York Times

Her experiments showed that the many nonchromosomal genes in Chlamydomonas could be passed on by either partner in sexual reproduction, that they controlled a variety of hereditary characteristics, and that they replicated and remained active through successive generations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The algorithm is designed typically to simulate the biological evolution of a population of individual computer programs through successive generations to improve their "fitness" for carrying out a designated task.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

These heteroplasmic mtDNA mutations were then followed through 6 successive generations.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects

From the 10th century and through the 11th, successive generations of the northern branch of the Fujiwara clan continued to control the nation's government by monopolizing the posts of sesshō and kampaku, and the wealth that poured into their coffers enabled them to lead lives of the greatest brilliance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

More recently (late 1960s through the 1970s) successive generations of persons of African descent have entered the profession as cohorts of new generations of young Black women and men entered the academy with the expansion of opportunities for higher education that came as a result of the successes of the desegregation-integration and Civil Rights Movements.

SEP

Second, we have an obligation to secure the future of successive generations through the investment of ourselves and our resources.

Huffington Post

The young doctor has his tongue firmly planted in his cheek most of the time, poking fun at the the cycles of technophobia parents go through every generation with successive generations of media and display technologies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing cultural or genetic inheritance, use "through successive generations" to clearly indicate a process occurring over multiple generations. For example: "The art of pottery has been passed down "through successive generations", preserving our cultural heritage."

Common error

Avoid replacing "through" with prepositions like "across" or "over" if you want to emphasize the process of transmission or change happening continuously from one generation to the next. "Through" specifies the means by which something is passed down or evolves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "through successive generations" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate how an action or state extends across multiple generations. It describes the manner in which something is transmitted, evolved, or maintained over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "through successive generations" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe the transmission or evolution of something across multiple generations. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct. Its usage is primarily found in scientific, academic, and news contexts, emphasizing the continuity and longevity of a process or trait. When writing, ensure that "through" is used to highlight the means of transmission, and be mindful of the context to select the most appropriate alternative, such as "across generations" or "from generation to generation", depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

across generations

Focuses on the span of generations rather than the process.

from one generation to the next

Highlights the transition and inheritance between consecutive generations.

over generations

Emphasizes the passage of time and accumulated changes.

from generation to generation

Highlights the individual transfer between each generation.

in subsequent generations

Highlights a cause/effect relationship in heredity.

in following generations

Focuses on the continuation of lineage.

over many generations

Stresses the long duration of time with a focus on the multitude of generations involved.

down through the ages

Implies a much longer time frame, stretching back into history.

across the lineage

Focuses on the concept of hereditary line.

through the passage of time

Focuses on the time aspect, downplaying the generational link.

FAQs

How can I use "through successive generations" in a sentence?

You can use "through successive generations" to describe how traditions, traits, or knowledge are passed down or evolve over time. For example, "The family business has thrived "through successive generations", adapting to changing market conditions."

What phrases are similar to "through successive generations"?

Similar phrases include "across generations", "over generations", or "from generation to generation". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "across successive generations" instead of "through successive generations"?

While "across successive generations" is understandable, "through successive generations" is more common and emphasizes the process of something being passed down. "Across" tends to focus more on the span or scope.

What's the difference between "through successive generations" and "in successive generations"?

"Through successive generations" implies a continuous process of transmission or change. "In successive generations" simply indicates that something occurs in multiple generations, without necessarily implying a direct link or process of inheritance.