Generations spanned.

Meaning: This means that an object has been in a family for a long period of time, spanning multiple generations. It's like saying, The ring has been in the family for many generations.

Choice of Words: Generations are groups of people who are born and live during the same period of time. Spanned means that something has covered or included a long period of time. In this case, it means that an object has been in a family for many generations.

Alternative Expressions

Time passed by.

Meaning: This means that a period of time has gone by. It's like saying, Many days, weeks, or years have gone by.

Choice of Words: Time is a measure of how long something takes or how long something has been happening. Passed means to move from one place to another. By means to move past something. When you put them together, "Time passed by" means that time has moved forward.

People lived and died.

Meaning: This means that people have been born and have died over a long period of time. It's like saying, Many people have come and gone over the years.

Choice of Words: People are human beings. Lived means to be alive and experience life. Died means to stop being alive. When you put them together, "People lived and died" means that people were born, lived their lives, and eventually passed away.

Generations came and went.

Meaning: This means that different groups of people have lived and died over a long period of time. It's like saying, Families and communities have come and gone over the years.

Choice of Words: Generations are groups of people who are related to each other and who live around the same time. Came means to arrive. Went means to leave. When you put them together, "Generations came and went" means that different groups of people were born, lived their lives, and passed away.

Related Expressions