chain of life

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chain of life" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the interconnectedness of living organisms and ecosystems, often in discussions about ecology or biology. Example: "The chain of life illustrates how each species plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It's the chain of life".

The New York Times

Think about the links in the chain of life.

Yale University

They're part of a larger, sometimes fragile chain of life.

The New York Times - Sports

They think that on the food chain of life, salespeople are below green slime.

MIT Technology Review

In calling evolution a "make-believe story," for instance, she maintains that "before Darwin, the accepted explanation for the chain of life was design".

The New York Times - Books

He decried what he saw as the extreme improbability that such a long, complex molecule would or could arise spontaneously and become the first step in the long chain of life that followed.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

In the course of his research, Guarente says, he came to believe that there may be a particular gene, sensitive to the metabolic reactions of starvation, that would trigger a chain of life-extending, energy-preserving biological maneuvers.

The New York Times - Magazine

He will probably return to college, an option play for a quarterback scrambling to move the chains of life.

The New York Times - Sports

That is to say: we are profoundly mucking around with the very bottom of the planet's most basic chains of life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Water, of course, supports long chains of life — from the small-as-dust green cells of the drifting plant plankton, through the minute water fleas, to the fish that strain plankton from the water and are, in turn, eaten by other fish or by birds, mink, raccoons, and man himself, in an endless transfer of materials from life to life.

The New Yorker

The nudes connect in harmony, forming chains of life.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ecological impact, use "chain of life" to highlight the consequences of disrupting even a single component of an ecosystem. For instance, "The introduction of invasive species can severely disrupt the delicate "chain of life"."

Common error

Avoid using "chain of life" to refer only to human relationships or social hierarchies; its primary meaning relates to biological interconnectedness and ecological systems.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chain of life" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a concept or system rather than an action or attribute. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used correctly across various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chain of life" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the interconnectedness of living organisms and ecosystems. As Ludwig confirms, it is widely used in news, academic, and scientific contexts to emphasize the relationships between species and the importance of ecological balance. Alternatives like "web of life" or "cycle of life" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that you are referring to biological systems and ecological relationships, avoiding its application to unrelated contexts. Disrupting the "chain of life", even at a single point, can have far-reaching consequences as it highlights the consequences of disrupting even a single component of an ecosystem.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

web of life

Emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of living organisms.

cycle of life

Highlights the cyclical nature of existence from birth to death and regeneration.

interconnectedness of all living things

Focuses on the relationships between organisms and their environment.

ecological balance

Stresses the equilibrium and harmony within an ecosystem.

food web

Highlights the feeding relationships and flow of energy between species.

hierarchy of life

Describes a system in which organisms are ranked in an increasing order of complexity or importance.

natural order

Refers to the inherent structure and organization of the natural world.

succession of beings

Emphasizes that life follows specific temporal steps.

lineage of existence

Highlights the historical development and continuity of living organisms.

biological continuum

Indicates an unbroken sequence or series of living organisms.

FAQs

What does "chain of life" mean?

The "chain of life" refers to the interconnectedness of all living things in an ecosystem, where each organism depends on others for survival. It emphasizes the vital roles each species plays in maintaining balance.

How can I use "chain of life" in a sentence?

You might say, "Pollution can disrupt the "chain of life", leading to unforeseen consequences for the entire ecosystem". Use it to describe the impact on various organisms that depend on each other.

What are some alternatives to "chain of life"?

Consider using alternatives such as "web of life", "cycle of life", or "interconnectedness of all living things" depending on the specific context.

Is "chain of life" the same as "food chain"?

While related, "chain of life" is broader than "food chain". The "food chain" specifically describes the flow of energy from one organism to another through feeding relationships, while "chain of life" encompasses all interactions and dependencies within an ecosystem.