In the old days

Morteza · #1 (permalink) Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:40 am *In the old days*

Hi All,
Can we say "During/over the past time/times" ? For example:
During/Over the past time, a lot of changes have happened in humans' life.
Many thanks,
Morteza

Haihao · #2 (permalink) Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:58 am *In the old days*

I would think:

1. In the past (time), a lot of changes happened in human('s) life.
2. During/Over the past few years/months/days, a lot of changes have happened in human('s) life.

Morteza · #3 (permalink) Thu Apr 08, 2010 3:06 am *In the old days*

Hi Dear Haihao,
Thank you ever so much!
Morteza

Haihao · #4 (permalink) Thu Apr 08, 2010 5:03 am *In the old days*

You are very welcome!

Doc Ike · #5 (permalink) Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:02 am *In the old days*

Haihao,

Would it not necessarily be "in a/the human's life"?

Could you not also say "in humans' lives"?

Haihao · #6 (permalink) Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:22 am *In the old days*

Hi Doc,

I'd think "in humans' lives" is kind of "exceedingly over-redundant", "in a human's life" too specific, and "in the human's life" irrelevant, because "life" here should be taken as an abstract noun (φ－φ would be the best）. Anyway, that's how I felt personally. BTW, do not worry about the coverage and speciality. "Human's life" speaks generically.

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