during their lifetime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during their lifetime" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to the span of time that a person is alive. For example, "Many people hope to see the world during their lifetime."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Guardian

The New Yorker

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The New York Times

Independent

Forbes

Science Magazine

International Journal of Fatigue

Engineering Structures

Nurse Education Today

Polymer Testing

TechCrunch

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Business Research

Nanoscale Research Letters

The Journal of Headache and Pain

BBC

Huffington Post

Wikipedia

Plosone

Emerging Infectious Diseases

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Bulletin of Volcanology

BMC Health Services Research

Biomedical Optics Express

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Addictive Behaviors

BMC Infectious Diseases

BioMed Research International

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Emerging Infectious Diseases

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Emerging Infectious Diseases

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

BMC Pediatrics

BMC Genomics

BMC Public Health

BMC Infectious Diseases

Cancer Management and Research

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

BioMed Research International

Bone Marrow Transplantation

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

BMC Evolutionary Biology

BMC Psychiatry

BMC Cancer

Acta Orthopaedica

BMC Health Services Research

Current Psychiatry Reports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Humans normally have two sets of teeth during their lifetime.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to one estimate, almost 8% of people will develop PTSD during their lifetime.

The Guardian

The Collyers were not black, but their neighborhood, Harlem, became predominantly African-American during their lifetime.

The New Yorker

About one in 10 people in the US suffer from it during their lifetime.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were alarmed by the shift in values they had witnessed during their lifetime.

The New York Times

Reuters Violence Globally, about one in three women will be beaten or raped during their lifetime.

Independent

Violence Globally, about one in three women will be beaten or raped during their lifetime.

Independent

As many as 5 percent of children have a seizure at least once during their lifetime.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Heirs get income from the trust during their lifetime.

Forbes

Moon jellyfish undergo a bizarre transformation during their lifetime.

Science Magazine

Structural components are subjected to cyclic loads during their lifetime.

International Journal of Fatigue

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during their lifetime" when you want to emphasize that something happens or exists within the period a person or group of people are alive. It adds a sense of duration and personal experience to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "during their lifetime" when referring to events that happened before they were born or after they died. Ensure the event or condition is truly contained within their lifespan.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during their lifetime" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify when something occurs. It indicates a timeframe that spans the entirety of a person's life. Ludwig shows many examples of it being used to describe events, experiences, or probabilities within someone's existence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during their lifetime" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to specify that an event, experience, or condition occurs within the span of someone's life. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across different contexts. As shown by Ludwig, it's prevalent in scientific and news-related content. When using this phrase, be mindful of its scope, ensuring that the event is truly contained within the lifespan being referenced. Alternative phrases such as "throughout their lives", "in their lifetime", or "over the course of their lifetime" can be used for similar effects. Keep in mind that "during their lifetime" is versatile and suitable for various contexts, ranging from casual to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during their lifespan

Replaces "lifetime" with the synonym "lifespan", maintaining the same meaning.

during their life

A more concise alternative, slightly less formal than "during their lifetime".

in their lifetime

A shorter alternative, implying the same timeframe.

within their lifetime

Highlights that something occurs as part of their lived experience.

throughout their lives

Emphasizes the continuous aspect of something happening from beginning to end.

over their lifetime

Focuses on the cumulative aspect of something occurring across the entire period.

in the course of their lifetime

A more formal and elaborate alternative to "during their lifetime".

during their existence

Substitutes "lifetime" with the more general term "existence", implying a similar timeframe but potentially broader context.

for the duration of their life

A more verbose alternative emphasizing the entire period of their life.

while they are alive

Expresses the concept in a simpler and more direct manner.

FAQs

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

Use "during their lifetime" to indicate events, experiences, or conditions that occur while someone is alive. For example, "Many people hope to travel extensively "during their lifetime"".

What are some alternatives to "during their lifetime"?

Alternatives include "throughout their lives", "in their life", or "over the course of their lifetime". These alternatives offer similar meanings but may vary slightly in formality or emphasis.

Is there a difference between "in their lifetime" and "during their lifetime"?

"In their lifetime" and "during their lifetime" are often interchangeable. However, "during their lifetime" can sometimes emphasize a more continuous or ongoing process, while "in their lifetime" might refer to a specific event or achievement. The distinction is subtle and context-dependent.

Can I use "during their lifetime" to refer to animals or objects?

Yes, "during their lifetime" can be used for any living organism. For inanimate objects, consider using phrases like "during its lifespan" or "during its service life" depending on the context.