a lifetime

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lifetime" is a correct and commonly used expression in written English.
It is used to refer to a period of time that spans throughout someone's entire life. Examples: 1. She had dreamed of traveling the world for a lifetime, and finally, in her retirement, she was able to make that dream a reality. 2. He had been working on his novel for a lifetime, and finally, after years of revisions, it was published and became a bestseller. 3. The couple had been happily married for a lifetime, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren. 4. He regretted his actions for a lifetime, wishing he had made different choices when he had the chance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"This is a lifetime".

Independent

It's a lifetime project".

The New York Times - Food

It's a lifetime.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a lifetime joy.

The New York Times

There's a lifetime guarantee.

Independent

More than a lifetime.

The New Yorker

A lifetime.

The New York Times

Why not a lifetime ban?

The New York Times - Sports

"It's once in a lifetime".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Maybe a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

The New York Times - Sports

In Pictures: 10 Last-A-Lifetime Buys.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lifetime" to emphasize the enduring impact or duration of something, such as "a lifetime of memories" or "a lifetime commitment".

Common error

Don't use "a lifetime" when referring to a specific period within someone's life if the context implies it's not the entirety of their life. For instance, avoid saying "He lived in that city for a lifetime" if he only lived there for 20 years.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lifetime" typically functions as an adverbial modifier indicating duration or extent. It modifies nouns or verbs to express that something persists or extends throughout the entirety of a person's life, according to Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lifetime" is a versatile and commonly used expression in English to denote something that lasts or has significance throughout the course of one's entire life. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources such as News & Media, Formal & Business documents, and Wiki articles. While generally neutral in tone, it effectively conveys a sense of permanence or enduring impact. It is crucial to differentiate between "a lifetime" (the duration of a life) and "a very long time" (which might not span the entirety of a life).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a whole life

Highlights the completeness of the life span, suggesting a holistic view.

an entire existence

Focuses on the totality of someone's being, emphasizing the continuous nature of life.

a life span

More formal and scientific, referring to the duration of life.

a significant portion of life

Highlights that the period represents a noteworthy part of someone's existence.

a very long time

Simple and direct, emphasizing the length of the period.

a prolonged period

Emphasizes the length of time, but is less specific than "a lifetime".

a considerable duration

Stresses the substantial length of the time period.

a long duration

Similar to 'a prolonged period', it underscores the extended nature of time involved.

one's living days

Poetic and somewhat archaic, referring to the days of one's life.

a great while

More informal, indicating a long but indefinite period.

FAQs

How can I use "a lifetime" in a sentence?

You can use "a lifetime" to describe the duration of something that lasts throughout someone's entire life, such as "a lifetime of memories" or "a lifetime commitment".

What can I say instead of "a lifetime"?

Alternatives include "an entire existence", "a whole life", or "a life span", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "once in a lifetime"?

Yes, "once in a lifetime" is a common and correct idiom used to describe something rare and exceptional that is unlikely to happen more than once in a person's life. For example, "a once in a lifetime opportunity".

What's the difference between "a lifetime" and "a very long time"?

"A lifetime" refers to the entire duration of someone's life, whereas "a very long time" simply indicates an extended period, which could be less than a full life.