during your lifetime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during your lifetime" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific period of time that falls within an individual's life. This phrase can be used in many contexts, such as discussing someone's accomplishments, experiences, or relationships. Here is an example: "During her lifetime, my grandmother traveled to over 20 countries and learned to speak four languages fluently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And have they changed during your lifetime?

The Guardian - Opinion

It just so happened that it was during your lifetime".

The New York Times

Interest is charged on the mortgage but you don't pay it during your lifetime.

The Guardian - Money

"Now there's just as much incentive" to give during your lifetime.

The New York Times

Giving money away in your will is not good enough; it has to be dispensed with during your lifetime.

The Guardian

Interest is charged on the mortgage but in most cases you don't pay it during your lifetime.

The Guardian - Money

"When you think about guys you come in contact with during your lifetime, this is someone I will never forget," Nets Coach Byron Scott said yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

Discussing what happened in the world at large during your lifetime is a good way to make your story more relevant and interesting to those reading it.

WikiHow

The gift tax, the flip-side of estate tax, designed to minimise avoiding tax by giving assets away during your lifetime, will stay.

The Economist

With a trust funded during your lifetime, most relatives are not required to be notified or given a forum to protest.

The New York Times

Annuity rates determine how much pension income you get in return for the money you saved during your lifetime, so this means pensioners retiring today will see a lower income.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during your lifetime" to emphasize that something occurs within the bounds of a person's life, not before or after. For example, "The advancements in technology during your lifetime have been remarkable."

Common error

Avoid using "during your lifetime" interchangeably with phrases like "in your life" if you intend to specify events happening throughout the entire lifespan. "In your life" can also refer to specific periods or moments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during your lifetime" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the temporal context for an event or condition. It indicates that something occurs within the boundaries of a person's existence. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across varied source types.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during your lifetime" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify that something happens within the span of a person's life. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media, scientific articles, and wiki pages, conveying a neutral tone suitable for various informative contexts. While several alternatives exist, such as "in your living years" or "while you are alive", the specific choice depends on the desired nuance and level of formality. Use "during your lifetime" to emphasize events occurring throughout the span of someone's life, and avoid confusing it with similar phrases that might have a more limited scope. Remember that missing out on salary negotiations as a new graduate could result in a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars "during your lifetime".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in your living years

Replaces "lifetime" with "living years", emphasizing the active period of life.

while you are alive

Directly states the condition of being alive as the relevant timeframe.

in your days

Uses "days" to represent the period of one's life, implying a span of time.

throughout your existence

Emphasizes the entire span of one's existence, from birth to death.

during your period of life

More formal, replacing "lifetime" with a more descriptive phrase.

in your span of life

Replaces "lifetime" with "span of life", focusing on the duration.

while you breathe

A more poetic way of saying "while you are alive", highlighting the act of living.

in your time on earth

Emphasizes the earthly existence as the relevant timeframe.

for the duration of your life

Formal and explicit, stating the entire length of life.

as long as you live

Highlights the continuous aspect of the period in question.

FAQs

What is the meaning of the phrase "during your lifetime"?

The phrase "during your lifetime" refers to the period encompassing the entire duration of a person's life, from birth to death. It's used to describe events, experiences, or changes that occur within this timeframe.

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

You can use "during your lifetime" to specify that something happened or will happen within the span of someone's life. For instance, "The average lifespan has increased significantly during your lifetime."

What are some alternatives to saying "during your lifetime"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in your living years", "while you are alive", or "throughout your existence". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. See more alternatives "in your living years".

Is it more formal to say "during your lifetime" or "while you are alive"?

"During your lifetime" is generally considered more formal than "while you are alive". The latter is more direct and conversational, while the former is often used in more serious or reflective contexts.