during their lives

USAGE SUMMARY

"during their lives" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific period of time in which something happened or will happen within someone's lifetime. Example: During their lives, my grandparents traveled to over 30 countries.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Today, workers change jobs, even careers, many times during their lives".

The New Yorker

I wouldn't have been as good to them during their lives as I was.

The New York Times

Both were celebrated during their lives and have been since, at least in Japan.

The New York Times - Arts

But Gerald and Michael, during their lives as lawyers and judges, have drawn scrutiny.

The New York Times

And I have called all four of them my "boys" all during their lives.

The New York Times

"Lots of these poets did not have wide readerships during their lives.

The New York Times

3. Higher pensions for people who have not claimed benefits during their lives.

The Guardian

Dandruff is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis that affects most people at some time during their lives.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cause Unknown Hives of one sort or another afflicts about one person in five at some time during their lives.

The New York Times

(Indeed, some animals which occupy multiple niches during their lives, like amphibians, survived the Cretaceous deep impact).

The Economist

Many Americans can't even remember French cars being sold on their shores at any point during their lives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during their lives", ensure the context clearly establishes who "their" refers to, especially in complex sentences with multiple subjects.

Common error

Avoid using "during their lives" when referring to hypothetical or future events. It is most appropriate when discussing past events or general truths about a group's experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during their lives" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying verbs and indicating when something occurred in relation to the period of existence of multiple individuals. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during their lives" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase used to denote a time frame within the lifetime of multiple individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. To ensure precision, consider the scope of "their" and avoid using it for hypothetical scenarios. For similar phrases, consider alternatives such as "in their lifetime" or "throughout their existence" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in their lifetime

Focuses on the span of one person's existence, while "during their lives" references multiple individuals.

throughout their existence

Emphasizes the entire period of being, instead of specific moments during the lifespan.

in the course of their lives

Highlights the sequence of events and experiences over time, rather than just a period.

while they were alive

Focuses specifically on the period of being living, contrasting with after death.

during their time on earth

Emphasizes the finite and earthly existence of individuals.

within their period of existence

More formal and abstract way of saying "during their lives".

in their years

Emphasizes the duration of their lives, focusing on specific years or periods.

over the course of their lifetimes

Implies a process or progression occurring throughout their lives.

for the duration of their lives

Highlights the entire period from birth to death.

in their days

Evokes a sense of nostalgia or a past era during their lives.

FAQs

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

Use "during their lives" to describe events or experiences that occurred within the lifetime of a group of people. For example, "Many advancements in medicine occurred "during their lives"".

What phrases are similar to "during their lives"?

Similar phrases include "in their lifetime", "throughout their existence", or "while they were alive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in their lives" instead of "during their lives"?

"In their lives" can work in some contexts, but ""during their lives"" is more precise when referring to events that happened within their lifetime. "In their lives" is broader and can refer to their experiences or circumstances in general.

What's the difference between "during their life" and "during their lives"?

"During their life" refers to a single person's lifetime, whereas ""during their lives"" refers to the combined lifetimes of multiple people. Make sure the phrase agrees in number with the subject.