"over the past decade" vs "in past decades"

Question

"over the past decade" vs "in past decades"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Over the past decade' is used to refer to a specific period of ten years leading up to the present, while 'in past decades' is used to refer to periods of ten years in the past without specifying a particular timeframe. The choice between the two depends on whether you are talking about a specific recent decade or multiple decades in the past.

Last Updated: April 07, 2024

This phrase is used to talk about events, trends, or changes that have occurred in the last ten years.

Examples:

Over the past decade, technology has advanced rapidly.
I have seen a lot of changes in the company over the past decade.

Alternatives:

In the last ten years
During the past decade
In recent years

This phrase is used to talk about events, trends, or changes that have occurred over multiple decades in the past.

Examples:

In past decades, space exploration has made significant progress.
The fashion industry has evolved a lot in past decades.

Alternatives:

Over the years
Throughout previous decades
In earlier decades

Answer 1

over the past decade

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a specific period of ten years leading up to the present.

Answer 2

in past decades

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to periods of ten years in the past without specifying a particular timeframe.