During my existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "During my existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when reflecting on experiences or events that have occurred throughout one's life. Example: "During my existence, I have encountered many challenges that have shaped who I am today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

During the last 13 years of my existence I have been inspired by the discoveries I have made about life, death and synchronicity as a result of the challenges presented by my 18-year-old daughter's Jeannine's death due to cancer.

HuffPost

During its existence the Soviet Union took a somewhat different approach.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During its existence, the competing Bourne franchise with Matt Damon has come and gone.

The Guardian - Film

During its existence, the Premier League has thrown up a plethora of pretenders and one-season wonders.

The Guardian - Sport

During the existence of Kazembe there were nine kings with the name Kazembe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During its existence, Collier's was a well-reputed work with coverage reflecting secondary-school and college curricula.

Britannica

During their existence, CUCB allegedly denounced violence, a sentiment reflected in a banner they unveiled back in the 1980s: "Violence divides us, our passion unites us".

The Guardian - Sport

During its existence, the site contained Maxwell's story of his dispute with TMI, along with a disclaimer at the top of the home page indicating that it was not TMI's site.

Harvard University

During the existence of the old NASL (of Pele et al), the teams in that competition chose not to take part in the cup, but the newly sanctioned second tier of US soccer, and present day NASL, is fully represented in this year's tournament, as are those MLS sides we discussed.

The Guardian - Sport

During its existence it was known by a few other names as well: its formal name from 1600 to 1708 was Governor and Company of Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies, and from 1708 to 1873 it was United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies.

Britannica

During its existence the 100-person team raised nearly $150 million by Crunchbase's count, but that ultimately wasn't enough for it to continue down its path.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and formality of your writing. While grammatically correct, "during my existence" can sound slightly detached. Alternatives like "throughout my life" may be more appropriate for personal narratives.

Common error

Avoid using "during my existence" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound stilted or overly dramatic. Choose more natural-sounding alternatives for everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during my existence" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating a time frame. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, but notes its relatively infrequent usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during my existence" is grammatically correct but relatively uncommon, as supported by Ludwig's analysis. While it effectively specifies a time frame encompassing one's life, it often sounds more formal than alternatives like "throughout my life" or "in my lifetime". Consequently, it is more suitable for neutral contexts, such as news reporting or encyclopedic entries, than for casual conversation. When aiming for a natural tone, consider the provided alternatives to best convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In my lifetime

Focuses on the span of one's life.

Throughout my life

Emphasizes the entirety of one's life experiences.

In the course of my life

Highlights the progression of events throughout one's life.

As long as I have lived

Stresses the duration of life as a condition.

For the duration of my life

Emphasizes the entire period of life.

During my time on earth

Adds a slightly more philosophical or reflective tone.

While I have been alive

Highlights the state of being alive during a period.

Over the years of my life

Focuses on the cumulative aspect of experiences over time.

Throughout my sojourn

Uses a more formal or literary term for one's life journey.

In my days

A more old fashioned or poetic form.

FAQs

How can I use "during my existence" in a sentence?

You can use "during my existence" to refer to the entire period of your life when discussing long-term trends, significant personal developments or reflections. For example: "During my existence, I've seen many technological advances."

What is a good alternative to "during my existence"?

Alternatives include "throughout my life", "in my lifetime", or "over the course of my life". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. See also "throughout my life".

Is "during my existence" too formal for everyday speech?

Yes, "during my existence" is generally considered formal and may sound unusual in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "in my life" or "while I've been alive" are usually more appropriate for everyday speech.

What's the difference between "during my existence" and "throughout my life"?

"During my existence" emphasizes the fact of being alive, whereas "throughout my life" emphasizes the experiences and events that have happened. Although interchangeable, the latter usually sounds more natural. See also "throughout my life".