under a century

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under a century" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period that is less than one hundred years. Example: "The technology has evolved significantly under a century, changing the way we communicate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Known as fearsome warriors, they built their empire up in under a century through both force and diplomacy.

Independent

Today in America the foreign-born share of the population is around 13%, not far off the peak of 15% just under a century ago.

The Economist

The last time that immigration in America was as high as it is now, just under a century ago, xenophobia rose as recession took hold.

The Economist

It drew an overdue line under a century during which supporters had often been crammed into crumbling, unsafe grounds behind fences topped with spikes.

The Guardian - Sport

Just under a century later it seems odd that Greece, a member of the European Union since 1981, still encourages sharia law on its territory.

The Guardian

It is just under a century since this Austrian artist died, and yet his creations are not found in any public collection in Britain, and have never been given a dedicated exhibition in any of the country's museums.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

At sunset each evening except Sunday, the dancer Kanoe Miller mesmerizes with her graceful hula under a century-old kiawe tree.

The New York Times - Travel

A mining company expects to pay itself most of the royalties from one of Queensland's most controversial coal projects under a century-old legal loophole.

The Guardian

When the United States Fish and Wildlife Service decided in March to ban the import and transport of bighead carp — one of the infamous Asian carp — under a century-old law called the Lacey Act, David Lodge had one reaction.

The New York Times

Because all oceangoing liners in the United States market are foreign-built, with foreign crews and flying foreign flags -- even the Disney Cruise Line -- they are forbidden to carry passengers directly between United States ports, under a century-old law aimed at protecting American shipbuilding and operation.

The New York Times - Travel

The challenge for France is to preserve the country's secular identity as codified under a century-old law on the separation of church and state, meet the demands of its second-largest religious community and discourage religious and ethnic separatism all at the same time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under a century" to indicate that something occurred or was completed in a period of less than 100 years. It is suitable for describing relatively recent historical events or developments.

Common error

Avoid using "in a century" when you mean "under a century". "In a century" refers to something happening at some point during the next 100 years, whereas "under a century" describes something that occurred in less than 100 years.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under a century" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying verbs or clauses. It specifies a timeframe of less than 100 years, indicating when an event occurred or a condition existed, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under a century" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase used to indicate a timeframe of less than 100 years. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples from reputable sources. As illustrated by Ludwig's analysis, the phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, providing temporal context and recency to events or conditions. While adaptable, it generally maintains a neutral register and is most frequently encountered in news and media and scientific contexts. Alternative phrases such as "less than a century" or "within a century" can be used interchangeably depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than a century

Direct synonym, emphasizes the shorter duration.

within a century

Implies an event happened inside the timeframe of a century.

in under one hundred years

More explicit, specifying the number of years.

in less than one hundred years

Similar to 'in under', but emphasizes the shorter duration.

before a century had passed

Highlights the fact that the century wasn't complete.

not a full century

Emphasizes the lack of a complete century.

in a shorter time than a century

Comparative, highlights the brevity of the time.

in less than a lifetime

Connects the timeframe to a human lifespan.

within a few decades

More specific, implying a period of several decades.

in recent history

More general, referring to the recent past.

FAQs

What does "under a century" mean?

The phrase "under a century" means that something happened or existed for a period less than 100 years. It is used to indicate a relatively recent timeframe.

How can I use "under a century" in a sentence?

You can use "under a century" to describe events or developments that occurred within a period shorter than 100 years. For example: "The city has changed dramatically under a century."

What are some alternatives to "under a century"?

Some alternatives include "less than a century", "within a century", or "in under one hundred years".

Is it correct to say "in a century" instead of "under a century"?

No, "in a century" and "under a century" have different meanings. "In a century" refers to something happening in the future, 100 years from now, while "under a century" refers to something that happened less than 100 years ago.