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B1 noun #41 پرکاربردترین 12 دقیقه مطالعه

decades

رتبه 41

تمرین کن مثال‌ها نکات و راهنمایی‌ها decades در ۳۰ ثانیه

توضیح decades in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn about time. You probably know words like 'day,' 'week,' 'month,' and 'year.' The word 'decades' is a bit more advanced, but it is easy to understand if you remember the number ten. One decade is 10 years. So, 'decades' means many groups of 10 years. For example, if you are 20 years old, you have lived for two decades. You can use this word to talk about things that are very old. If a house was built 30 years ago, you can say it was built 'decades ago.' It is a useful word because it helps you talk about long times without counting every single year. Just remember: 10 years = 1 decade. 20, 30, or 40 years = decades. You will see this word in simple stories about history or when people talk about their grandparents. It is a 'big' time word for a beginner, but very helpful!

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'decades' to describe your life and the world around you. You might say, 'My grandfather has lived in this house for decades.' This sounds more natural than saying 'for forty years.' It shows that you understand how to group time into larger blocks. You will often hear 'decades' used with the word 'ago.' For example, 'Decades ago, there were no mobile phones.' This is a great way to compare the past with today. You should also notice that 'decades' is the plural form. If you only mean ten years, use 'a decade.' If you mean twenty, thirty, or fifty years, use 'decades.' This word is very common in simple news reports or when people talk about famous singers from the past, like 'the music of past decades.' It helps your English sound more fluent and less like a list of numbers.

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As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using 'decades' in both speaking and writing. At this level, you are expected to talk about experiences and events in the past, present, and future. 'Decades' is a perfect word for this. You can use it to describe trends, such as 'The way we communicate has changed over the last few decades.' Notice the use of the preposition 'over' here; it shows a gradual change. You can also use it to talk about professional experience: 'She has worked as a doctor for several decades.' This implies she is very experienced. You should also be aware of how we name specific decades, like 'the eighties' (1980-1989). In B1 writing, using 'decades' helps you organize your ideas. Instead of talking about year by year, you can summarize long periods, making your essays more professional and easier to read.

At the B2 level, you should use 'decades' to discuss complex topics like social change, environmental issues, and economic history. You will often see it paired with sophisticated adjectives: 'successive decades,' 'intervening decades,' or 'turbulent decades.' For example, 'The country underwent significant political shifts during the turbulent decades of the mid-20th century.' You should also understand the nuance of 'decades' in idiomatic expressions and more formal contexts. For instance, in a business report, you might write, 'The company's growth has been consistent across several decades.' This sounds much more authoritative than 'for a long time.' You should also be careful with punctuation—remember that 'the 1990s' does not need an apostrophe. At this level, 'decades' is not just a measure of time; it is a tool for analysis and for framing historical and social narratives.

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For C1 learners, 'decades' is a versatile term used to provide precise temporal framing in academic and professional discourse. You should be able to use it to discuss long-term longitudinal studies or historical trajectories. For example, 'The longitudinal study tracked the health of participants over five decades, providing invaluable data on aging.' You will also encounter the word in more abstract or literary contexts, where it might be used to emphasize the weight of time or the slow evolution of thought. Phrases like 'the weight of decades' or 'a tradition spanning decades' add a layer of sophistication to your language. You should also be comfortable using related forms like 'decadal' in scientific contexts (e.g., 'decadal climate variability'). At this level, your use of 'decades' should be seamless, helping you to construct complex arguments about how time shapes societies, cultures, and individual lives.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'decades' and its various connotations. You can use it to weave intricate historical narratives or to critique sociological trends with precision. You understand the subtle difference between 'decades' and other temporal markers like 'eras,' 'epochs,' or 'generations,' and you choose the one that best fits the rhetorical needs of your text. You might use it in a philosophical sense: 'The individual is but a fleeting moment in the face of the decades that shape a civilization.' You are also aware of the word's use in various registers, from the highly technical to the deeply poetic. Whether you are writing a doctoral thesis or a piece of literary fiction, 'decades' serves as a fundamental building block in your temporal vocabulary, allowing you to manipulate the 'speed' and 'scale' of your narrative with expert precision.

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تمرین کن مثال‌ها نکات و راهنمایی‌ها

decades در ۳۰ ثانیه

Decades is the plural of decade, meaning multiple ten-year periods of time.
It is used to describe long durations, historical eras, and extensive personal or professional experience.
Commonly paired with prepositions like 'for,' 'over,' and 'across' to show the passage of time.
Essential for discussing trends, changes, and history in a summarized, professional way.

The word decades is the plural form of 'decade,' which refers to a specific unit of time consisting of ten consecutive years. While a single decade is a significant milestone, the plural 'decades' is used to emphasize long, enduring periods that span twenty, thirty, or even fifty years or more. It is a fundamental term in the English language for categorizing history, tracking personal growth, and describing long-term trends in science, technology, and culture. When we speak of decades, we are often looking at the 'big picture' of time rather than specific days or months.

Historical Context: In history, we group years into decades to identify cultural shifts, such as the 'Roaring Twenties' or the 'Swinging Sixties.' Using the plural form allows historians to describe movements that lasted through multiple ten-year blocks, such as the Cold War, which spanned several decades.

The old oak tree in the town square has stood there for many decades, witnessing the town's transformation from a small village to a bustling city.

In professional life, 'decades' is frequently used to denote extensive experience. If someone has worked in a field for decades, it implies they are an expert or a veteran. It suggests a level of dedication and consistency that cannot be achieved in a shorter timeframe. For instance, a scientist might spend decades researching a single cure, highlighting the patience and persistence required in high-level academic pursuits.

Sociological Impact: Sociologists use the term to track changes in human behavior and demographics. Changes in birth rates or migration patterns are rarely visible in a single year; they require the observation of several decades to become statistically significant and culturally apparent.

It took decades of negotiation before the two nations finally signed a comprehensive peace treaty.

The term also carries an emotional weight. When we say 'it has been decades since we last met,' we are not just stating a fact about time; we are emphasizing the vastness of the separation and the changes that must have occurred in our lives during that interval. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and the inevitable passage of time.

Scientific Measurement: In environmental science, climate change is measured over decades. A single hot summer is weather, but a warming trend that lasts for three or four decades is climate. This distinction is crucial for understanding global shifts.

The architectural style of the building reflects the design trends of the past few decades.

She has dedicated decades of her life to social activism and community service.

Ultimately, 'decades' is a word that helps us organize our understanding of the world. It provides a bridge between the immediate present and the distant past, allowing us to see patterns, celebrate long-term achievements, and acknowledge the slow but steady progress of humanity. Whether used in a casual conversation about fashion or a formal report on economics, it remains one of the most versatile time-related nouns in English.

Using decades correctly involves understanding its role as a plural count noun and its common prepositional pairings. It is most frequently used with 'for,' 'over,' 'during,' and 'across' to indicate the duration of an action or the timeframe of a change. Because it represents a significant amount of time, it is often modified by adjectives like 'recent,' 'past,' 'successive,' or 'coming' to provide more specific context.

With Duration Prepositions: The most common way to use 'decades' is with 'for' to show how long something has lasted. Example: 'They have been married for three decades.' Here, it emphasizes the longevity of the relationship.

Technology has advanced more in the last two decades than in the previous century.

When describing a process of change, 'over' or 'throughout' are excellent choices. 'Over the decades, the city's skyline has changed dramatically.' This suggests a gradual evolution. If you are referring to a specific point in time within those years, you might use 'during.' For example, 'During the decades following the war, the economy boomed.'

As a Subject or Object: 'Decades' can also serve as the subject of a sentence to personify time. Example: 'Decades passed before the secret was finally revealed.' As an object, it often follows verbs of spending or wasting: 'He spent decades perfecting his craft.'

Many families have lived in this neighborhood for decades, creating a strong sense of community.

In academic writing, 'decades' is often used to establish the scope of a study. Phrases like 'across several decades' or 'within the span of two decades' help define the temporal boundaries of the research. It provides a formal tone that 'many years' might lack.

Specific vs. General: You can use 'decades' generally ('It took decades') or specifically ('The decades of the 1920s and 1930s'). General usage emphasizes the length of time, while specific usage identifies a particular era.

The museum features artifacts that have been preserved for decades.

It will likely take decades for the ecosystem to fully recover from the oil spill.

Finally, 'decades' is often used in the phrase 'decades ago' to place an event in the distant past. 'Decades ago, people didn't have smartphones.' This usage is perfect for comparing the past with the present in a way that highlights significant progress or change.

The word decades is ubiquitous in English-speaking environments, ranging from high-level political discourse to casual family gatherings. It is a 'bridge' word that connects everyday experience with historical time. You will hear it in news broadcasts, read it in biographies, and use it yourself when reflecting on your life or career.

In News and Media: Journalists use 'decades' to provide context for current events. A news anchor might say, 'This is the worst drought the region has seen in decades.' This immediately tells the audience that the situation is historically significant and unusual.

The documentary explores how the music industry has evolved over the past five decades.

In the world of entertainment, particularly in documentaries and retrospectives, 'decades' is the standard unit of measurement. Film critics might discuss how a director's style has matured over several decades. Music historians group artists by the decades they dominated, such as the 'pop icons of the 80s and 90s.'

In Professional Environments: During job interviews or corporate presentations, 'decades' is a power word. A CEO might boast, 'Our company has been a leader in innovation for decades.' It conveys stability, reliability, and a proven track record.

'I haven't seen a storm like this in decades,' the elderly fisherman remarked.

In casual conversation, 'decades' is often used with a bit of hyperbole. Someone might say, 'I haven't been to the gym in decades!' even if it has only been a few years. This usage emphasizes a feeling of a long time passing rather than a literal count of thirty or forty years.

In Literature and Storytelling: Authors use 'decades' to skip forward in time within a narrative. A chapter might begin with 'Decades later, the truth finally emerged,' which instantly transports the reader into a new era of the characters' lives.

The fashion trends of previous decades are making a surprising comeback this year.

The policy changes implemented decades ago are still affecting the economy today.

Whether you are watching a TED talk about the future or listening to a grandparent tell stories about the past, 'decades' is the word that frames the passage of time. It is a fundamental part of how we narrate our history and our lives.

While decades is a relatively straightforward word, learners and even native speakers often make specific errors in its spelling, punctuation, and conceptual application. Understanding these pitfalls will help you use the word with greater precision and confidence.

The Apostrophe Error: The most common mistake is adding an unnecessary apostrophe when referring to a specific decade. Many people write 'the 1990's' instead of 'the 1990s.' In modern English, the apostrophe is only used for possession, not for making a number plural. Correct: 'The 1980s were colorful.' Incorrect: 'The 1980's were colorful.'

Many people mistakenly believe that 'the 70's' is the correct way to write about that period, but it should simply be the 70s or the decades of the seventies.

Another frequent error is confusing 'decades' with 'centuries.' A decade is 10 years; a century is 100 years. If you say something has lasted for 'decades' when it has actually lasted for 200 years, you are significantly underestimating the time. Conversely, calling a 20-year period a 'century' is a major exaggeration. Always double-check your math!

Misuse of 'Decade' as an Adjective: Learners sometimes try to use 'decades' as an adjective, saying 'a decades plan.' The correct adjective form is 'decadal' (though rare) or, more commonly, 'ten-year.' You should say 'a ten-year plan' or 'a plan spanning decades.'

It is a mistake to say 'I have lived here for a decades'; since 'a' is singular, you must use 'decade.'

Confusion also arises with the phrase 'for decades.' Some learners use 'since decades,' which is incorrect. In English, 'since' is used for a specific starting point (e.g., 'since 1990'), while 'for' is used for a duration of time (e.g., 'for three decades').

Pronunciation Pitfalls: Some speakers struggle with the 'des' sound at the end. It should sound like 'DEK-aydz.' If you drop the 's,' it becomes singular, which can change the meaning of your sentence entirely.

The writer spent several decades—not just one—completing his masterpiece.

Don't confuse 'decades' with 'decay,' which sounds similar but means to rot or decompose!

By keeping these common errors in mind, you can ensure that your use of 'decades' is both grammatically correct and contextually appropriate, allowing you to communicate complex ideas about time with ease.

While decades is the most common way to describe ten-year periods, English offers several alternatives depending on the context, the length of time, and the level of formality you wish to achieve. Understanding these synonyms and related terms will enrich your vocabulary and allow for more varied expression.

Ten-year spans: This is a literal and descriptive alternative. It is often used in technical or scientific writing to avoid repeating the word 'decades.' Example: 'The data was collected over three ten-year spans.'

While decades is the standard term, 'eras' might be used if those years were defined by a specific event or leader.

If you are talking about a period of twenty years, you can use the word 'score.' Although somewhat archaic, it is famous from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: 'Four score and seven years ago.' In modern usage, it sounds very formal or poetic. For a more general long period, 'ages' or 'eons' (hyperbolically) are common in casual speech.

Eras and Epochs: An 'era' or 'epoch' usually refers to a period of time marked by a particular characteristic or event. While a decade is strictly 10 years, an era could be five years or fifty. Use 'decades' for precise time and 'era' for a specific 'feeling' or 'theme' of a time.

The transition between decades often brings about a shift in the collective 'zeitgeist' or spirit of the times.

In some contexts, 'generations' is a better fit. If you want to emphasize family history or the passing of knowledge, saying 'this recipe has been in our family for generations' sounds more meaningful than 'for decades,' even if the time elapsed is the same. 'Generations' implies a human connection to the passage of time.

Centuries and Millennia: These are the 'big brothers' of decades. A century is ten decades, and a millennium is one hundred decades. Use these when 'decades' feels too small to describe the historical scale you are discussing.

The ruins had lain hidden for decades before a team of archaeologists finally discovered them.

We must plan not just for the next few years, but for the coming decades.

By choosing the right word—whether it is 'decades' for precision, 'eras' for character, or 'generations' for human impact—you can make your English more expressive and tailored to your specific message.

چقدر رسمی است؟

نکته جالب

In the French Republican Calendar, a 'décade' was a period of ten days that replaced the seven-day week. It was intended to be a more 'rational' way to measure time, but it was eventually abandoned.

راهنمای تلفظ

UK /ˈdek.eɪdz/

US /ˈdek.eɪdz/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: DEK-ades.

هم‌قافیه با

aids blades shades grades trades cascades parades invades

خطاهای رایج

Pronouncing it as 'de-KAYDS' (stressing the second syllable).
Dropping the 's' and saying 'decade' when referring to multiple periods.
Confusing the vowel sound with 'decayed' (though they sound very similar).
Mumbling the 'k' sound so it sounds like 'de-ades'.
Adding an extra syllable like 'de-cay-dees'.

سطح دشواری

خواندن 2/5

Easy to recognize in text as it follows standard plural rules.

نوشتن 3/5

Requires care with apostrophes and preposition choice.

صحبت کردن 3/5

The 's' at the end must be clear to distinguish from the singular.

گوش دادن 2/5

Generally clear, though can be confused with 'decayed' in fast speech.

بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟

پیش‌نیازها

year ten time past history

بعداً یاد بگیرید

century millennium era epoch generation

پیشرفته

longitudinal chronological temporal perennial secular

گرامر لازم

Plural Noun Agreement

Three decades *are* (not is) a long time.

Preposition 'For' vs 'Since'

For decades (duration) vs. Since the 1990s (start point).

Apostrophe Use in Years

The 1980s (no apostrophe) vs. The 80's (informal/often discouraged).

Adjective Order

The *last few* decades (Quantity + Duration).

Compound Adjectives

A *decades-long* struggle (hyphenated when before a noun).

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مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

He has lived here for two decades.

Il vit ici depuis deux décennies.

Uses 'for' to show duration.

Ten years is one decade.

Dix ans font une décennie.

Singular form.

The car is many decades old.

La voiture a plusieurs décennies.

Plural form 'decades' used for emphasis.

Decades ago, there were no computers.

Il y a des décennies, il n'y avait pas d'ordinateurs.

Used with 'ago' for the past.

My grandma is eight decades old.

Ma grand-mère a huit décennies (80 ans).

Counting decades to show age.

They have been friends for decades.

Ils sont amis depuis des décennies.

Present perfect tense with 'for'.

The tree grew for decades.

L'arbre a poussé pendant des décennies.

Past tense 'grew'.

I will stay here for decades.

Je resterai ici pendant des décennies.

Future tense 'will stay'.

Many things changed over the last few decades.

Beaucoup de choses ont changé au cours des dernières décennies.

Using 'over' to show change.

The museum has been open for three decades.

Le musée est ouvert depuis trois décennies.

Present perfect with duration.

We studied the history of the past decades.

Nous avons étudié l'histoire des dernières décennies.

Possessive 'of the past decades'.

Decades of hard work made him successful.

Des décennies de travail acharné l'ont rendu célèbre.

'Decades of' as a subject.

She has been a teacher for two decades.

Elle est enseignante depuis deux décennies.

Duration of a profession.

The city looks different than it did decades ago.

La ville a l'air différente d'il y a des décennies.

Comparative structure.

It takes decades for some plastic to disappear.

Il faut des décennies pour que certains plastiques disparaissent.

'It takes' + time + 'for'.

The music of the 1970s and 1980s are famous decades.

La musique des années 1970 et 1980 sont des décennies célèbres.

Referring to specific time blocks.

The company has dominated the market for decades.

L'entreprise domine le marché depuis des décennies.

Present perfect for ongoing dominance.

Scientific progress has accelerated in recent decades.

Le progrès scientifique s'est accéléré au cours des dernières décennies.

Using 'recent' as a modifier.

It will take decades to rebuild the forest after the fire.

Il faudra des décennies pour reconstruire la forêt après l'incendie.

Future 'will take' for long-term recovery.

The author's style evolved over several decades.

Le style de l'auteur a évolué sur plusieurs décennies.

Verb 'evolved' with 'over'.

Decades of neglect led to the building's collapse.

Des décennies de négligence ont conduit à l'effondrement du bâtiment.

Cause and effect relationship.

He reflected on the decades he spent traveling the world.

Il a réfléchi aux décennies qu'il a passées à voyager à travers le monde.

Relative clause 'he spent'.

The law remained unchanged for many decades.

La loi est restée inchangée pendant de nombreuses décennies.

Adjective 'unchanged'.

Social norms have shifted significantly over the decades.

Les normes sociales ont considérablement évolué au fil des décennies.

Adverb 'significantly' modifying 'shifted'.

The geopolitical landscape has been transformed over successive decades.

Le paysage géopolitique a été transformé au cours de décennies successives.

Passive voice 'has been transformed'.

It took decades of activism to achieve equal voting rights.

Il a fallu des décennies d'activisme pour obtenir l'égalité des droits de vote.

Noun 'activism' as a modifier.

The architect's influence spanned several decades and continents.

L'influence de l'architecte s'est étendue sur plusieurs décennies et continents.

Verb 'spanned' showing range.

We are now seeing the consequences of decisions made decades ago.

Nous voyons maintenant les conséquences de décisions prises il y a des décennies.

Past participle 'made' used as an adjective.

The technology was considered revolutionary decades before it became common.

La technologie était considérée comme révolutionnaire des décennies avant de devenir courante.

Conjunction 'before' connecting time periods.

The population has doubled over the intervening decades.

La population a doublé au cours des décennies intermédiaires.

Adjective 'intervening'.

The artist finally received recognition after decades of obscurity.

L'artiste a enfin reçu une reconnaissance après des décennies d'obscurité.

Preposition 'after' showing a change in state.

The infrastructure was designed to last for many decades.

L'infrastructure a été conçue pour durer de nombreuses décennies.

Infinitive 'to last' showing purpose.

The study meticulously documented the linguistic shifts across five decades.

L'étude a méticuleusement documenté les changements linguistiques sur cinq décennies.

Adverb 'meticulously' and preposition 'across'.

The institution has maintained its prestige throughout the turbulent decades of the 20th century.

L'institution a maintenu son prestige tout au long des décennies turbulentes du XXe siècle.

Preposition 'throughout' and adjective 'turbulent'.

Decades of research have culminated in this groundbreaking discovery.

Des décennies de recherche ont abouti à cette découverte révolutionnaire.

Present perfect 'have culminated' with plural subject.

The film captures the essence of the decades it portrays with remarkable accuracy.

Le film capture l'essence des décennies qu'il dépeint avec une précision remarquable.

Relative clause 'it portrays'.

Her career, spanning four decades, is a testament to her enduring talent.

Sa carrière, s'étendant sur quatre décennies, témoigne de son talent durable.

Participial phrase 'spanning four decades'.

The environmental impact of the project will be monitored for decades to come.

L'impact environnemental du projet sera surveillé pendant les décennies à venir.

Phrase 'to come' referring to the future.

The conflict has its roots in grievances that date back many decades.

Le conflit trouve ses racines dans des griefs qui remontent à plusieurs décennies.

Phrasal verb 'date back'.

The city's urban planning has been influenced by the architectural trends of successive decades.

L'urbanisme de la ville a été influencé par les tendances architecturales des décennies successives.

Passive voice with 'by' agent.

The philosophical discourse surrounding the nature of time has evolved through the decades.

Le discours philosophique entourant la nature du temps a évolué au fil des décennies.

Complex subject with participial modifier.

One must look back across the decades to truly grasp the magnitude of this cultural metamorphosis.

Il faut regarder en arrière à travers les décennies pour vraiment saisir l'ampleur de cette métamorphose culturelle.

Infinitive of purpose 'to truly grasp'.

The policy was the result of decades of careful deliberation and compromise.

La politique était le résultat de décennies de délibérations et de compromis minutieux.

Noun phrase with multiple modifiers.

The weight of decades of tradition can sometimes stifle innovation in established industries.

Le poids de décennies de tradition peut parfois étouffer l'innovation dans les industries établies.

Metaphorical use of 'weight'.

The narrative skillfully interweaves the personal lives of characters with the broader historical decades they inhabit.

Le récit entremêle habilement les vies personnelles des personnages avec les décennies historiques plus larges qu'ils habitent.

Verb 'interweaves' showing complexity.

The economic data reveals patterns that only become apparent when viewed over several decades.

Les données économiques révèlent des modèles qui ne deviennent apparents que lorsqu'ils sont examinés sur plusieurs décennies.

Conditional 'when viewed' clause.

The artist's late works reflect a wisdom gained only through the passage of many decades.

Les œuvres tardives de l'artiste reflètent une sagesse acquise seulement par le passage de nombreuses décennies.

Past participle 'gained' as a reduced relative clause.

The treaty represents the culmination of decades of diplomatic effort and cross-border cooperation.

Le traité représente l'aboutissement de décennies d'efforts diplomatiques et de coopération transfrontalière.

Noun 'culmination' followed by 'of'.

ترکیب‌های رایج

for decades

over the decades

past decades

recent decades

several decades

successive decades

coming decades

spanning decades

within decades

last few decades

عبارات رایج

decades ago

— A long time in the past, usually 20+ years. It is used to compare then and now.

Decades ago, people wrote letters instead of emails.

for decades to come

— A long time into the future. It emphasizes long-term impact.

This decision will affect our children for decades to come.

over the past decades

— Looking back at a long period of time up until now. Used for trends.

Over the past decades, medicine has made great strides.

in recent decades

— Specifically referring to the 20-30 years closest to the present.

In recent decades, urbanization has increased globally.

across several decades

— Covering a long period of time. Used to show consistency or change.

The study tracked the same group of people across several decades.

spanning many decades

— Stretching over a very long time. Often used for careers or traditions.

The conflict is a complex one, spanning many decades.

first few decades

— The beginning period of a longer history.

The company struggled during its first few decades.

final decades

— The end period of a life, century, or project.

The artist produced his best work in his final decades.

every few decades

— Something that happens repeatedly but not very often.

The volcano erupts every few decades.

the intervening decades

— The time that passed between two specific events.

They met again in the intervening decades between the two wars.

اغلب اشتباه گرفته می‌شود با

decades vs centuries

A century is 100 years, while a decade is only 10. Using 'decades' for 200 years is a mistake.

decades vs score

A score is exactly 20 years. 'Decades' is more general and can mean any multiple of 10.

decades vs decayed

This sounds similar but is a verb meaning 'rotted.' Make sure to pronounce the 's' clearly.

اصطلاحات و عبارات

"in decades"

— Used with a negative or superlative to show how rare something is. It means 'for a very long time'.

That was the best meal I've had in decades.

informal

"not in decades"

— Emphasizes that something hasn't happened for a very long time.

It hasn't snowed like this in decades.

neutral

"the weight of decades"

— The feeling of a long history or a lot of time passing, often carrying a sense of burden or tradition.

He felt the weight of decades of family expectations on his shoulders.

literary

"spanning the decades"

— Connecting different time periods together.

The documentary is a masterpiece, spanning the decades of rock and roll.

neutral

"decades in the making"

— Something that took a very long time to prepare or complete.

The new museum was decades in the making.

journalistic

"lost to the decades"

— Something that has been forgotten over a long period of time.

The original name of the village has been lost to the decades.

poetic

"through the decades"

— Consistently over a long period of time.

Their love remained strong through the decades.

neutral

"the best in decades"

— The highest quality seen in a very long time.

This is the best harvest we've seen in decades.

neutral

"ahead of its decades"

— Something that was too advanced for the time it was created (variation of 'ahead of its time').

His architecture was ahead of its decades.

formal

"decades of experience"

— A phrase used to show that someone is an expert.

Our lead engineer has decades of experience.

professional

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decades vs decade

Singular vs. Plural

Decade is exactly 10 years. Decades is 20, 30, 40, or more years.

He stayed for a decade (10 years). He stayed for decades (30 years).

decades vs century

Units of time

A century is 100 years. A decade is 10 years.

The building is a century old (100). It has been empty for decades (30).

decades vs era

Meaning of 'period'

An era is a period defined by an event. A decade is a period defined by 10 years.

The Victorian era lasted for many decades.

decades vs generation

Human time vs. Calendar time

A generation is about 25-30 years (parent to child). A decade is exactly 10 years.

It takes a generation for culture to change, which is about three decades.

decades vs fortnight

Time units

A fortnight is only 2 weeks. Decades are many years.

I'll be back in a fortnight. I haven't seen him in decades.

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

I have [verb] for decades.

I have lived here for decades.

Decades ago, there were no [noun].

Decades ago, there were no smartphones.

Over the last few decades, [sentence].

Over the last few decades, the city has grown.

It takes decades to [verb].

It takes decades to grow a forest.

[Noun] has changed significantly over successive decades.

Technology has changed significantly over successive decades.

After decades of [noun], [sentence].

After decades of research, they found a cure.

The [noun] spans several decades.

The artist's career spans several decades.

The weight of decades of [noun] [verb].

The weight of decades of tradition influenced the decision.

خانواده کلمه

اسم‌ها

decade (singular)

decades (plural)

صفت‌ها

decadal (relating to a decade)

مرتبط

century

millennium

annual

biennial

score

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نحوه استفاده

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written English.

اشتباهات رایج

The 1990's were great. → The 1990s were great.
You don't need an apostrophe to make a decade plural.
I have lived here since two decades. → I have lived here for two decades.
Use 'for' for a duration of time, not 'since'.
It took a decades to build. → It took decades to build.
'A' is for singular. If you use 'decades', you don't need 'a'.
He is in his four decade. → He is in his fourth decade.
Use ordinal numbers (first, second, third) when describing which decade of life someone is in.
The project lasted for many decade. → The project lasted for many decades.
'Many' must be followed by a plural noun.

نکات

Apostrophe Alert

Never use an apostrophe to make a decade plural (e.g., 1980s, not 1980's). This is a very common mistake even for native speakers.

Use 'Over' for Change

When describing how something changed, 'over the decades' is the most natural phrase to use. It suggests a gradual process.

The 'Z' Sound

The 's' at the end of 'decades' should sound like a 'z'. Practice saying 'DEK-aydz' to sound more like a native speaker.

Summarizing Time

Use 'decades' to summarize long histories in your writing. It helps the reader understand the scale without getting lost in specific years.

Cultural Decades

When people talk about 'the decades,' they are often thinking about the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. These are very famous in English culture.

Watch for Hyperbole

In casual English, people say 'it's been decades' to mean 'a long time.' Don't always take the number literally in a conversation.

Longitudinal Data

In science, 'decades' is used to describe long-term studies. If you see this word, look for trends and patterns in the data.

Decades vs. Years

If you have a choice, 'decades' sounds more impressive than 'many years.' Use it when you want to emphasize longevity.

Spanning Decades

The verb 'span' goes perfectly with 'decades.' Use 'Her career spanned four decades' for a very professional-sounding sentence.

Check Your Math

If you say 'three decades,' make sure you mean about 30 years. If it's 100 years, use 'a century' instead.

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روش یادسپاری

Think of the word 'DECA-' which always means ten (like a decagon has ten sides). Add 'DES' for the plural. DECA + DES = many tens of years.

تداعی تصویری

Imagine a staircase where each step represents ten years. If you look at several steps, you are looking at 'decades' of time.

شبکه واژگان

Time Ten History Era Years Growth Experience Century

چالش

Write a paragraph about how your hometown has changed over the last two decades. Use the word 'decades' at least three times.

ریشه کلمه

The word 'decade' comes from the Old French 'decade,' which in turn comes from the Late Latin 'decas' (genitive 'decadis'). This Latin word was borrowed from the Greek 'dekas' (genitive 'dekados'), meaning 'a group of ten.'

معنای اصلی: Originally, it referred to any group of ten, such as ten days or ten books. It wasn't until the 17th century that it became primarily associated with ten years.

Indo-European (Greek > Latin > French > English)

بافت فرهنگی

Be careful when discussing 'decades of conflict' in sensitive regions; it can imply a long history of pain.

Americans and British people often use decades to refer to their age, saying 'I'm in my third decade' (meaning 20-29).

The 'Roaring Twenties' (1920s) - a time of economic boom. The 'Swinging Sixties' (1960s) - a time of cultural revolution. The 'Great Depression' - spanned the decade of the 1930s.

تمرین در زندگی واقعی

موقعیت‌های واقعی

Personal History

I've lived here for decades.
It's been decades since we met.
My career spanned three decades.
The best decades of my life.

History and Culture

The fashion of past decades.
During the decades of the war.
Social shifts over the decades.
The most influential decades.

Science and Environment

Climate change over decades.
Decades of research.
Within the coming decades.
Data from several decades.

Business and Economy

Market trends over decades.
Decades of experience.
The company's first decades.
Economic growth for decades.

News and Weather

The worst storm in decades.
A record not seen in decades.
Policy changes after decades.
Events that shaped the decades.

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

"What do you think was the most interesting decade in history and why?"

"How has your hometown changed over the last two decades?"

"Do you think the next few decades will be better or worse for the planet?"

"If you could travel back several decades, which one would you visit?"

"What is something you have been doing for decades that you still love?"

موضوعات نگارش

Reflect on the last two decades of your life. What are the three biggest changes you've experienced?

Imagine the world five decades from now. Describe a typical day in the future.

Write about a family tradition that has lasted for decades. Why is it important?

How has technology changed the way we live over the past few decades?

If you had decades of free time and unlimited money, what would you spend that time doing?

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

Since it is plural, it means at least two decades, which is 20 years. However, people usually use it to mean a long time, like 30, 40, or 50 years.

The correct form is '1990s' without the apostrophe. The apostrophe is only for possession, not for making numbers plural.

No, that is incorrect. You should say 'for decades.' Use 'since' for a specific date like 'since 1980' and 'for' for a duration like 'for three decades.'

The adjective is 'decadal,' but it is mostly used in science. In normal English, we use 'ten-year' or 'decades-long.'

It is a neutral word. It is perfectly fine to use in both a casual chat with a friend and a formal university essay.

In casual speech, no. If someone says 'it's been decades,' they just mean it has been a very long time, maybe 25 or 35 years.

It is pronounced DEK-aydz. The first part sounds like 'deck' and the second part sounds like 'aids'.

A decade is 10 years. A generation is the time it takes for children to grow up and have their own children, usually about 25-30 years.

Yes! You can say 'in the coming decades' to talk about things that will happen in 20, 30, or 40 years.

Yes, it is. You can say 'one decade,' 'two decades,' 'many decades,' etc.

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