throughout history

USAGE SUMMARY

"throughout history" is a valid and commonly-used phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to events that have taken place over a long period of time and are still relevant today. For example: "Throughout history, citizens have fought to ensure their freedom and safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

THROUGHOUT history, twins have provoked mixed feelings.

The Economist

"Throughout history, ideas need patrons".

The New Yorker

Throughout history most wine was consumed locally.

The New York Times - Food

Serial murder has occurred throughout history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Art works have migrated throughout history.

The New Yorker

Banks have been bailed out throughout history.

The Economist

Millennialism has had broad appeal throughout history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Throughout history, moneylenders have been persecuted.

The Economist

MILITARY revolutions occur repeatedly throughout history.

The Economist

"It's been so throughout history".

The New York Times

And so it goes, throughout history.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "throughout history" to provide context and demonstrate the long-term relevance of a topic. For example, "Throughout history, societies have developed different forms of government."

Common error

While "throughout history" is useful, avoid using it excessively. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider alternative phrases like "historically" or "over time" to vary your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "throughout history" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action or state occurred. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its capacity to add temporal context, indicating an action or state that has persisted across time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "throughout history" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that adds temporal depth to writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and serves to provide historical context. It appears most frequently in news media, encyclopedias, and academic texts. While useful, be mindful of overuse and consider related phrases like "over the course of history" or "historically speaking" to enrich your writing. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively integrate "throughout history" to add nuance and perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the course of history

Emphasizes the duration and progression of events.

historically speaking

Focuses on historical perspective and analysis.

in historical terms

Highlights the context of historical events.

down through the ages

Implies a long and continuous passage of time.

across the centuries

Similar to "down through the ages", but focuses on centuries.

over time

A more general phrase indicating change or development across a period.

in the annals of time

Suggests a record or chronicle of past events.

from time immemorial

Implies a beginning that is so ancient as to be beyond memory or record.

in bygone eras

Refers to past periods that are now considered old-fashioned or outdated.

in the past

A simple and direct way to refer to a time before the present.

FAQs

How can I use "throughout history" in a sentence?

You can use "throughout history" to introduce a trend, event, or idea that has occurred across a long period. For example, "Throughout history, humans have sought to understand the universe."

What are some alternatives to "throughout history"?

Alternatives include "over the course of history", "historically speaking", or "in historical terms", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "throughout history" or "in the past"?

"Throughout history" is generally more formal and emphasizes a broader span of time compared to "in the past", which can refer to a shorter or less defined period.

What's the difference between "throughout history" and "in historical times"?

"Throughout history" implies a continuous trend or occurrence across time, while "in historical times" refers more generally to events that took place during a past era.