Mixing
How do I express a time point which is a decade ago, counting from another time point mentioned in a passage?
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up vote
6
down vote
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E.g., I would like to say
X was almost impossible to be used in research until 2000s despite being invented a decade ago
In this sentence, I would like to express that X was invented in 1990s.
Would this sentence be understandable? Or do I have to say
...despite being invented in 1990s?
I would like to emphasize the temporal relationship if possible.
time past-vs-present
edited 11 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
2,41862536
asked yesterday
Aqqqq
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Aqqqq is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
E.g., I would like to say
X was almost impossible to be used in research until 2000s despite being invented a decade ago
In this sentence, I would like to express that X was invented in 1990s.
Would this sentence be understandable? Or do I have to say
...despite being invented in 1990s?
I would like to emphasize the temporal relationship if possible.
time past-vs-present
edited 11 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
2,41862536
asked yesterday
Aqqqq
1336
New contributor
Aqqqq is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
"Was almost impossible to be used" is clumsy and poor English. Most of the answers provide alternatives that would be used by educated English native speakers.
– David
yesterday
1
Also, "research" is a mass noun, so is generally not pluralized.
– Acccumulation
yesterday
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
E.g., I would like to say
X was almost impossible to be used in research until 2000s despite being invented a decade ago
In this sentence, I would like to express that X was invented in 1990s.
Would this sentence be understandable? Or do I have to say
...despite being invented in 1990s?
I would like to emphasize the temporal relationship if possible.
time past-vs-present
edited 11 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
2,41862536
asked yesterday
Aqqqq
1336
New contributor
Aqqqq is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
E.g., I would like to say
X was almost impossible to be used in research until 2000s despite being invented a decade ago
In this sentence, I would like to express that X was invented in 1990s.
Would this sentence be understandable? Or do I have to say
...despite being invented in 1990s?
I would like to emphasize the temporal relationship if possible.
time past-vs-present
time past-vs-present
edited 11 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
2,41862536
asked yesterday
Aqqqq
1336
New contributor
Aqqqq is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 11 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
2,41862536
asked yesterday
Aqqqq
1336
New contributor
Aqqqq is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 11 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
2,41862536
edited 11 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
2,41862536
edited 11 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
2,41862536
2,41862536
asked yesterday
Aqqqq
1336
New contributor
Aqqqq is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked yesterday
Aqqqq
1336
asked yesterday
Aqqqq
1336
1336
New contributor
Aqqqq is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Aqqqq is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Aqqqq is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
"Was almost impossible to be used" is clumsy and poor English. Most of the answers provide alternatives that would be used by educated English native speakers.
– David
yesterday
1
Also, "research" is a mass noun, so is generally not pluralized.
– Acccumulation
yesterday
add a comment |Â
3
"Was almost impossible to be used" is clumsy and poor English. Most of the answers provide alternatives that would be used by educated English native speakers.
– David
yesterday
1
Also, "research" is a mass noun, so is generally not pluralized.
– Acccumulation
yesterday
3
3
"Was almost impossible to be used" is clumsy and poor English. Most of the answers provide alternatives that would be used by educated English native speakers.
– David
yesterday
"Was almost impossible to be used" is clumsy and poor English. Most of the answers provide alternatives that would be used by educated English native speakers.
– David
yesterday
1
1
Also, "research" is a mass noun, so is generally not pluralized.
– Acccumulation
yesterday
Also, "research" is a mass noun, so is generally not pluralized.
– Acccumulation
yesterday
add a comment |Â
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
up vote
26
down vote
accepted
Using ago is ambiguous at best, and misleading at worst. (Because ago is naturally assumed to be relative to now, not the other date.)
You are free to give a specific date.
Or you can use some other words instead of ago:
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented a decade prior.
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented a decade before then.
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented in the previous decade.
answered yesterday
Jason Bassford
14k31738
7
"...decade before" also works, if you wish to omit the "then".
– Freddie R
yesterday
3
I like prior; as this sounds like kind of a formal piece of writing: "The Internet was almost impossible to use in research until the 2000s, despite being invented a decade prior." Also, you might want to say, "...use for research..."
– Tom Hundt
yesterday
2
@TomHundt — I hate "prior". Use "previously" as was done in the 20th century. That way you maintain the continuity of the English language rather than following the latest linguistic fad.
– David
yesterday
9
@David "Prior" was commonly used in this way in the 20th century — and the 19th. It's not any sort of fad. And it isn't so unwieldy as "previously".
– hobbs
yesterday
@hobbs — When you are as old and pedantic as me, you will have no doubt about linguistic fashions. I'm away with only my phone at the moment, but I'll provide evidence when I return.
– David
yesterday
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
26
down vote
"xxx was almost impossible to use in researches until 2000s despite being invented a decade earlier."
Collins:
earlier
adverb [ADVERB with verb]
Earlier is used to refer to a point or period in time before the present or before the one you
are talking about.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins
Publishers
Usage Example from Wikipedia:
Columbia was destroyed at about 09:00 EST on February 1, 2003 while
re-entering the atmosphere after a 16-day scientific mission. The
Columbia Accident Investigation Board determined that a hole was
punctured in the leading edge on one of Columbia's wings, which was
made of a carbon composite. The hole had formed when a piece of
insulating foam from the external fuel tank peeled off during the
launch 16 days earlier and struck the shuttle's left wing.
Here it is clear that 16 days is with respect to Feb 1, 2003 and not now.
answered yesterday
alwayslearning
23.8k53190
1
Or 'a decade before'.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Yes, earlier and before are clearly the best adverbs to use here.
– Peter Shor
yesterday
3
"Was almost impossible to be used" is poor English and although used by the poster should not be repeated.
– David
yesterday
Thanks @David, I missed that somehow. Corrected.
– alwayslearning
20 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
The correct adverb would be either beforehand or @alwayslearning's suggestion of earlier, but the verb tense is also affected.
xxx remained unused in research until the 2000s despite having been invented a decade beforehand
The verb form here reinforces that the invention is already in the past, at the point being discussed.
But it's probably clearer if you stick to chronological order:
Despite being invented in the 1990s, xxx remained unused in research for another decade.
edited 19 hours ago
V2Blast
12818
answered yesterday
Ben Voigt
2,3301316
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
What about rephrasing this to something like:
It took almost a decade for X to be used in research following its invention in 199x.
This way you can stress that it was hard to apply X (probably because it required cheaper Y, or faster Z), not just stating the facts.
(I assume here) Since you talk about science, you probably can use this opportunity to cite some papers:
Invented in 1990s [ref 1], it took almost a decade to see the first application of X in research [ref 2]
answered yesterday
aaaaaa
1444
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Despite being invented in the early 1990s, it was almost impossible to use X in research until nearly a decade later
answered 4 hours ago
Strawberry
1107
add a comment |Â
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
26
down vote
accepted
Using ago is ambiguous at best, and misleading at worst. (Because ago is naturally assumed to be relative to now, not the other date.)
You are free to give a specific date.
Or you can use some other words instead of ago:
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented a decade prior.
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented a decade before then.
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented in the previous decade.
answered yesterday
Jason Bassford
14k31738
7
"...decade before" also works, if you wish to omit the "then".
– Freddie R
yesterday
3
I like prior; as this sounds like kind of a formal piece of writing: "The Internet was almost impossible to use in research until the 2000s, despite being invented a decade prior." Also, you might want to say, "...use for research..."
– Tom Hundt
yesterday
2
@TomHundt — I hate "prior". Use "previously" as was done in the 20th century. That way you maintain the continuity of the English language rather than following the latest linguistic fad.
– David
yesterday
9
@David "Prior" was commonly used in this way in the 20th century — and the 19th. It's not any sort of fad. And it isn't so unwieldy as "previously".
– hobbs
yesterday
@hobbs — When you are as old and pedantic as me, you will have no doubt about linguistic fashions. I'm away with only my phone at the moment, but I'll provide evidence when I return.
– David
yesterday
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
26
down vote
accepted
Using ago is ambiguous at best, and misleading at worst. (Because ago is naturally assumed to be relative to now, not the other date.)
You are free to give a specific date.
Or you can use some other words instead of ago:
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented a decade prior.
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented a decade before then.
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented in the previous decade.
answered yesterday
Jason Bassford
14k31738
7
"...decade before" also works, if you wish to omit the "then".
– Freddie R
yesterday
3
I like prior; as this sounds like kind of a formal piece of writing: "The Internet was almost impossible to use in research until the 2000s, despite being invented a decade prior." Also, you might want to say, "...use for research..."
– Tom Hundt
yesterday
2
@TomHundt — I hate "prior". Use "previously" as was done in the 20th century. That way you maintain the continuity of the English language rather than following the latest linguistic fad.
– David
yesterday
9
@David "Prior" was commonly used in this way in the 20th century — and the 19th. It's not any sort of fad. And it isn't so unwieldy as "previously".
– hobbs
yesterday
@hobbs — When you are as old and pedantic as me, you will have no doubt about linguistic fashions. I'm away with only my phone at the moment, but I'll provide evidence when I return.
– David
yesterday
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
26
down vote
accepted
up vote
26
down vote
accepted
Using ago is ambiguous at best, and misleading at worst. (Because ago is naturally assumed to be relative to now, not the other date.)
You are free to give a specific date.
Or you can use some other words instead of ago:
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented a decade prior.
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented a decade before then.
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented in the previous decade.
answered yesterday
Jason Bassford
14k31738
Using ago is ambiguous at best, and misleading at worst. (Because ago is naturally assumed to be relative to now, not the other date.)
You are free to give a specific date.
Or you can use some other words instead of ago:
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented a decade prior.
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented a decade before then.
. . . was not used in research until 2000, despite being invented in the previous decade.
answered yesterday
Jason Bassford
14k31738
answered yesterday
Jason Bassford
14k31738
answered yesterday
Jason Bassford
14k31738
answered yesterday
Jason Bassford
14k31738
14k31738
7
"...decade before" also works, if you wish to omit the "then".
– Freddie R
yesterday
3
I like prior; as this sounds like kind of a formal piece of writing: "The Internet was almost impossible to use in research until the 2000s, despite being invented a decade prior." Also, you might want to say, "...use for research..."
– Tom Hundt
yesterday
2
@TomHundt — I hate "prior". Use "previously" as was done in the 20th century. That way you maintain the continuity of the English language rather than following the latest linguistic fad.
– David
yesterday
9
@David "Prior" was commonly used in this way in the 20th century — and the 19th. It's not any sort of fad. And it isn't so unwieldy as "previously".
– hobbs
yesterday
@hobbs — When you are as old and pedantic as me, you will have no doubt about linguistic fashions. I'm away with only my phone at the moment, but I'll provide evidence when I return.
– David
yesterday
 |Â
show 1 more comment
7
"...decade before" also works, if you wish to omit the "then".
– Freddie R
yesterday
3
I like prior; as this sounds like kind of a formal piece of writing: "The Internet was almost impossible to use in research until the 2000s, despite being invented a decade prior." Also, you might want to say, "...use for research..."
– Tom Hundt
yesterday
2
@TomHundt — I hate "prior". Use "previously" as was done in the 20th century. That way you maintain the continuity of the English language rather than following the latest linguistic fad.
– David
yesterday
9
@David "Prior" was commonly used in this way in the 20th century — and the 19th. It's not any sort of fad. And it isn't so unwieldy as "previously".
– hobbs
yesterday
@hobbs — When you are as old and pedantic as me, you will have no doubt about linguistic fashions. I'm away with only my phone at the moment, but I'll provide evidence when I return.
– David
yesterday
7
7
"...decade before" also works, if you wish to omit the "then".
– Freddie R
yesterday
"...decade before" also works, if you wish to omit the "then".
– Freddie R
yesterday
3
3
I like prior; as this sounds like kind of a formal piece of writing: "The Internet was almost impossible to use in research until the 2000s, despite being invented a decade prior." Also, you might want to say, "...use for research..."
– Tom Hundt
yesterday
I like prior; as this sounds like kind of a formal piece of writing: "The Internet was almost impossible to use in research until the 2000s, despite being invented a decade prior." Also, you might want to say, "...use for research..."
– Tom Hundt
yesterday
2
2
@TomHundt — I hate "prior". Use "previously" as was done in the 20th century. That way you maintain the continuity of the English language rather than following the latest linguistic fad.
– David
yesterday
@TomHundt — I hate "prior". Use "previously" as was done in the 20th century. That way you maintain the continuity of the English language rather than following the latest linguistic fad.
– David
yesterday
9
9
@David "Prior" was commonly used in this way in the 20th century — and the 19th. It's not any sort of fad. And it isn't so unwieldy as "previously".
– hobbs
yesterday
@David "Prior" was commonly used in this way in the 20th century — and the 19th. It's not any sort of fad. And it isn't so unwieldy as "previously".
– hobbs
yesterday
@hobbs — When you are as old and pedantic as me, you will have no doubt about linguistic fashions. I'm away with only my phone at the moment, but I'll provide evidence when I return.
– David
yesterday
@hobbs — When you are as old and pedantic as me, you will have no doubt about linguistic fashions. I'm away with only my phone at the moment, but I'll provide evidence when I return.
– David
yesterday
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
26
down vote
"xxx was almost impossible to use in researches until 2000s despite being invented a decade earlier."
Collins:
earlier
adverb [ADVERB with verb]
Earlier is used to refer to a point or period in time before the present or before the one you
are talking about.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins
Publishers
Usage Example from Wikipedia:
Columbia was destroyed at about 09:00 EST on February 1, 2003 while
re-entering the atmosphere after a 16-day scientific mission. The
Columbia Accident Investigation Board determined that a hole was
punctured in the leading edge on one of Columbia's wings, which was
made of a carbon composite. The hole had formed when a piece of
insulating foam from the external fuel tank peeled off during the
launch 16 days earlier and struck the shuttle's left wing.
Here it is clear that 16 days is with respect to Feb 1, 2003 and not now.
answered yesterday
alwayslearning
23.8k53190
1
Or 'a decade before'.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Yes, earlier and before are clearly the best adverbs to use here.
– Peter Shor
yesterday
3
"Was almost impossible to be used" is poor English and although used by the poster should not be repeated.
– David
yesterday
Thanks @David, I missed that somehow. Corrected.
– alwayslearning
20 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
26
down vote
"xxx was almost impossible to use in researches until 2000s despite being invented a decade earlier."
Collins:
earlier
adverb [ADVERB with verb]
Earlier is used to refer to a point or period in time before the present or before the one you
are talking about.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins
Publishers
Usage Example from Wikipedia:
Columbia was destroyed at about 09:00 EST on February 1, 2003 while
re-entering the atmosphere after a 16-day scientific mission. The
Columbia Accident Investigation Board determined that a hole was
punctured in the leading edge on one of Columbia's wings, which was
made of a carbon composite. The hole had formed when a piece of
insulating foam from the external fuel tank peeled off during the
launch 16 days earlier and struck the shuttle's left wing.
Here it is clear that 16 days is with respect to Feb 1, 2003 and not now.
answered yesterday
alwayslearning
23.8k53190
1
Or 'a decade before'.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Yes, earlier and before are clearly the best adverbs to use here.
– Peter Shor
yesterday
3
"Was almost impossible to be used" is poor English and although used by the poster should not be repeated.
– David
yesterday
Thanks @David, I missed that somehow. Corrected.
– alwayslearning
20 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
26
down vote
up vote
26
down vote
"xxx was almost impossible to use in researches until 2000s despite being invented a decade earlier."
Collins:
earlier
adverb [ADVERB with verb]
Earlier is used to refer to a point or period in time before the present or before the one you
are talking about.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins
Publishers
Usage Example from Wikipedia:
Columbia was destroyed at about 09:00 EST on February 1, 2003 while
re-entering the atmosphere after a 16-day scientific mission. The
Columbia Accident Investigation Board determined that a hole was
punctured in the leading edge on one of Columbia's wings, which was
made of a carbon composite. The hole had formed when a piece of
insulating foam from the external fuel tank peeled off during the
launch 16 days earlier and struck the shuttle's left wing.
Here it is clear that 16 days is with respect to Feb 1, 2003 and not now.
answered yesterday
alwayslearning
23.8k53190
"xxx was almost impossible to use in researches until 2000s despite being invented a decade earlier."
Collins:
earlier
adverb [ADVERB with verb]
Earlier is used to refer to a point or period in time before the present or before the one you
are talking about.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins
Publishers
Usage Example from Wikipedia:
Columbia was destroyed at about 09:00 EST on February 1, 2003 while
re-entering the atmosphere after a 16-day scientific mission. The
Columbia Accident Investigation Board determined that a hole was
punctured in the leading edge on one of Columbia's wings, which was
made of a carbon composite. The hole had formed when a piece of
insulating foam from the external fuel tank peeled off during the
launch 16 days earlier and struck the shuttle's left wing.
Here it is clear that 16 days is with respect to Feb 1, 2003 and not now.
answered yesterday
alwayslearning
23.8k53190
edited 20 hours ago
answered yesterday
alwayslearning
23.8k53190
answered yesterday
alwayslearning
23.8k53190
answered yesterday
alwayslearning
23.8k53190
23.8k53190
1
Or 'a decade before'.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Yes, earlier and before are clearly the best adverbs to use here.
– Peter Shor
yesterday
3
"Was almost impossible to be used" is poor English and although used by the poster should not be repeated.
– David
yesterday
Thanks @David, I missed that somehow. Corrected.
– alwayslearning
20 hours ago
add a comment |Â
1
Or 'a decade before'.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Yes, earlier and before are clearly the best adverbs to use here.
– Peter Shor
yesterday
3
"Was almost impossible to be used" is poor English and although used by the poster should not be repeated.
– David
yesterday
Thanks @David, I missed that somehow. Corrected.
– alwayslearning
20 hours ago
1
1
Or 'a decade before'.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Or 'a decade before'.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Yes, earlier and before are clearly the best adverbs to use here.
– Peter Shor
yesterday
Yes, earlier and before are clearly the best adverbs to use here.
– Peter Shor
yesterday
3
3
"Was almost impossible to be used" is poor English and although used by the poster should not be repeated.
– David
yesterday
"Was almost impossible to be used" is poor English and although used by the poster should not be repeated.
– David
yesterday
Thanks @David, I missed that somehow. Corrected.
– alwayslearning
20 hours ago
Thanks @David, I missed that somehow. Corrected.
– alwayslearning
20 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
The correct adverb would be either beforehand or @alwayslearning's suggestion of earlier, but the verb tense is also affected.
xxx remained unused in research until the 2000s despite having been invented a decade beforehand
The verb form here reinforces that the invention is already in the past, at the point being discussed.
But it's probably clearer if you stick to chronological order:
Despite being invented in the 1990s, xxx remained unused in research for another decade.
edited 19 hours ago
V2Blast
12818
answered yesterday
Ben Voigt
2,3301316
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
The correct adverb would be either beforehand or @alwayslearning's suggestion of earlier, but the verb tense is also affected.
xxx remained unused in research until the 2000s despite having been invented a decade beforehand
The verb form here reinforces that the invention is already in the past, at the point being discussed.
But it's probably clearer if you stick to chronological order:
Despite being invented in the 1990s, xxx remained unused in research for another decade.
edited 19 hours ago
V2Blast
12818
answered yesterday
Ben Voigt
2,3301316
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
The correct adverb would be either beforehand or @alwayslearning's suggestion of earlier, but the verb tense is also affected.
xxx remained unused in research until the 2000s despite having been invented a decade beforehand
The verb form here reinforces that the invention is already in the past, at the point being discussed.
But it's probably clearer if you stick to chronological order:
Despite being invented in the 1990s, xxx remained unused in research for another decade.
edited 19 hours ago
V2Blast
12818
answered yesterday
Ben Voigt
2,3301316
The correct adverb would be either beforehand or @alwayslearning's suggestion of earlier, but the verb tense is also affected.
xxx remained unused in research until the 2000s despite having been invented a decade beforehand
The verb form here reinforces that the invention is already in the past, at the point being discussed.
But it's probably clearer if you stick to chronological order:
Despite being invented in the 1990s, xxx remained unused in research for another decade.
edited 19 hours ago
V2Blast
12818
answered yesterday
Ben Voigt
2,3301316
edited 19 hours ago
V2Blast
12818
edited 19 hours ago
V2Blast
12818
edited 19 hours ago
V2Blast
12818
12818
answered yesterday
Ben Voigt
2,3301316
answered yesterday
Ben Voigt
2,3301316
answered yesterday
Ben Voigt
2,3301316
2,3301316
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
What about rephrasing this to something like:
It took almost a decade for X to be used in research following its invention in 199x.
This way you can stress that it was hard to apply X (probably because it required cheaper Y, or faster Z), not just stating the facts.
(I assume here) Since you talk about science, you probably can use this opportunity to cite some papers:
Invented in 1990s [ref 1], it took almost a decade to see the first application of X in research [ref 2]
answered yesterday
aaaaaa
1444
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
What about rephrasing this to something like:
It took almost a decade for X to be used in research following its invention in 199x.
This way you can stress that it was hard to apply X (probably because it required cheaper Y, or faster Z), not just stating the facts.
(I assume here) Since you talk about science, you probably can use this opportunity to cite some papers:
Invented in 1990s [ref 1], it took almost a decade to see the first application of X in research [ref 2]
answered yesterday
aaaaaa
1444
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
What about rephrasing this to something like:
It took almost a decade for X to be used in research following its invention in 199x.
This way you can stress that it was hard to apply X (probably because it required cheaper Y, or faster Z), not just stating the facts.
(I assume here) Since you talk about science, you probably can use this opportunity to cite some papers:
Invented in 1990s [ref 1], it took almost a decade to see the first application of X in research [ref 2]
answered yesterday
aaaaaa
1444
What about rephrasing this to something like:
It took almost a decade for X to be used in research following its invention in 199x.
This way you can stress that it was hard to apply X (probably because it required cheaper Y, or faster Z), not just stating the facts.
(I assume here) Since you talk about science, you probably can use this opportunity to cite some papers:
Invented in 1990s [ref 1], it took almost a decade to see the first application of X in research [ref 2]
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Despite being invented in the early 1990s, it was almost impossible to use X in research until nearly a decade later
answered 4 hours ago
Strawberry
1107
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Despite being invented in the early 1990s, it was almost impossible to use X in research until nearly a decade later
answered 4 hours ago
Strawberry
1107
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up vote
0
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up vote
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Despite being invented in the early 1990s, it was almost impossible to use X in research until nearly a decade later
answered 4 hours ago
Strawberry
1107
Despite being invented in the early 1990s, it was almost impossible to use X in research until nearly a decade later
answered 4 hours ago
Strawberry
1107
answered 4 hours ago
Strawberry
1107
answered 4 hours ago
Strawberry
1107
answered 4 hours ago
Strawberry
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1107
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3
"Was almost impossible to be used" is clumsy and poor English. Most of the answers provide alternatives that would be used by educated English native speakers.
– David
yesterday
1
Also, "research" is a mass noun, so is generally not pluralized.
– Acccumulation
yesterday