during our lifetime

USAGE SUMMARY

"during our lifetime" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it to refer to the period of time in which someone is alive, for example: "We hope to achieve many successes during our lifetime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

He told me that he was certain his work would be featured in a major museum during our lifetime.

The New Yorker

"My generation is the most patriotic, because during our lifetime we have seen such an increase in prosperity," she said.

The New Yorker

Such objects spend so much of their time so far away that only a few are visible during our lifetime.

The New Yorker

Given that 40% of us will develop cancer during our lifetime, the causes of small-town "cancer clusters" are hard to pin on local factors, rather than on bad luck.

The Guardian

He said: "As a society we have to recognise that one in four of us during our lifetime will suffer a degree of depression, some of it will be very severe, some of it will be less so.

The Guardian

"Barbara, my late wife, and I – it was always our intention that we'd give about 50% of our wealth away during our lifetime and then we'd give the other 50% away when we died," Thomas told Guardian Australia.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Adams shared his time in prison, Moloney reports, with a group of internees devising a new strategy for the I.R.A. Force was still favored to drive the British out but, to achieve something "during our lifetimes," Adams called for a long war that, to retain the essential support of Catholics, meant open political activity as well.

The New York Times - Books

Consequences for the Middle East include more prolonged drought, which means that the underground aquifers that store the region's groundwater will not be replenished during our lifetimes, nor during those of future generations.

The New York Times

Shortly after taking office in 1977 he declared in a televised address: "With the exception of preventing war, this (energy crisis) is the greatest challenge our country will face during our lifetimes".

The Guardian - Opinion

At Johns Hopkins, Cotton said the "threat environment that we face here at home and throughout the west is more grave today than at anytime during our lifetimes", and added: "I wish that weren't that case.

The Guardian

It's sobering to think that at some point during our lifetimes we'll be subjected to a twinkly girl-and-piano cover version of Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine's Sheriff Fatman.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during our lifetime" to emphasize that something is happening or is expected to happen within the current generation's lifespan. It adds a sense of immediacy and relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "during our lifetime" when referring to events that span multiple generations or have long-term consequences beyond the current generation. Use a phrase like "in the long term" or "for generations to come" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during our lifetime" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something occurs. Ludwig examples show its use in indicating events, changes, or achievements expected within the current generation's lifespan.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during our lifetime" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something will occur within the span of the current generation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly usable in written English. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, and serves to highlight the temporal relevance of an event. While alternatives such as "in our time" or "while we are alive" exist, "during our lifetime" effectively conveys a sense of immediacy and shared experience. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the scope of the topic, focusing on events that genuinely fall within the current generation's lifespan.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the duration of our lives

This alternative emphasizes the entire length of someone's life.

while we are alive

This alternative explicitly emphasizes the state of being alive as the defining timeframe.

in our time

This alternative is a more general way of referring to the present era, potentially encompassing a broader scope than a single lifetime.

within our experience

This alternative focuses on events that fall within the scope of what someone has personally witnessed or participated in.

in our days

This alternative is a less common, somewhat antiquated way to refer to the present period.

in our living memory

This phrase is focused on events that are still remembered.

in our generation

This alternative broadens the timeframe to encompass all people born around the same time, rather than just individual lifetimes.

throughout our existence

A more existential alternative that includes all phases of being, not only lifetime.

in our adult years

This alternative specifies the period after someone reaches adulthood.

in our working lives

This limits the scope to the period when someone is actively employed.

FAQs

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

Use "during our lifetime" to specify that an event, change, or achievement is expected to occur within the lifespan of the current generation. For example, "We hope to see a cure for cancer "during our lifetime"".

What are some alternatives to "during our lifetime"?

Alternatives include "in our time", "while we are alive", or "in our generation", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "during our lifetime" or "during our lifetimes"?

"During our lifetime" generally refers to the collective experience of a group, whereas "during our lifetimes" can refer to individual experiences within that group. The best choice depends on whether you're emphasizing a shared experience or individual ones.

What is the difference between "during our lifetime" and "in our memory"?

"During our lifetime" refers to anything happening while we are alive, while "in our memory" ("in our living memory") refers to events that we can still recall. An event could happen "during our lifetime" but be forgotten, thus not be "in our memory".