in its lifetime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in its lifetime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the duration of existence or the period during which something operates or is active. Example: "The species has adapted to various environments in its lifetime, showcasing remarkable resilience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In its lifetime it has circled our own planet 137,000 times and given us a clearer insight into the majestic nature and age of our Universe.

BBC

For safety purposes, LifeTime Composites tests fly ash before using it in its LifeTime Lumber product.

Environmental Health Perspectives

It's made $350 million in its lifetime and it's still going.

TechCrunch

Lysenko was flattered and financed by Stalin because he claimed that an organism could pass on to its offspring characteristics it acquired in its lifetime.

The Economist

The third experiment involved determining the effects of Ae. albopictus domestication time on the number of gonotrophic cycles (GCs) it can perform in its lifetime.

Plosone

Oikopleura dioica (class Appendicularia) is a semelparous organism, i.e. it reproduces only once in its lifetime.

Wikipedia

"A bra is going to stretch about three inches in its lifetime," says Bobbie, and when it does, "that's when you go to the next set of hooks".

Huffington Post

A typical product has multiple phases in its lifetime.

Embedded Multitasking With Small Microcontrollers

A good-sized tree collects a few tens of tons of carbon in its lifetime.

Yale University

In its lifetime, though, many requiems have been said for the Lafayette.

The New York Times

The shop has barely changed in its lifetime, although the queues are shorter now.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a global audience, consider if "in its lifetime" translates effectively or if a more universally understood phrase like "during its existence" would be clearer. While "in its lifetime" is widely used, direct translations may not always capture its nuanced meaning in other languages.

Common error

Avoid using "in its lifetime" when you mean "lifelong". "Lifetime" refers to a finite period, while "lifelong" describes something that lasts throughout an entire life. For example, say "lifelong dedication", not "in its lifetime dedication".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in its lifetime" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the time frame within which an action, event, or state occurs. Ludwig AI indicates that the usage is correct and frequent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in its lifetime" is a prepositional phrase used to describe events, changes, or achievements that occur during the entire existence of something. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki. This phrase serves to provide temporal context, indicating that something has accumulated or occurred over the complete span of an entity's existence. While the phrase is versatile and widely accepted, writers should avoid confusion with "lifelong" and consider clarity in global contexts. Using "in its lifetime" effectively enhances the narrative by highlighting cumulative impacts and long-term developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during its existence

Focuses on the period of being rather than the life cycle.

over its duration

Highlights the length of time something lasts.

throughout its life cycle

Specifically refers to the stages of development and existence.

within its span

Emphasizes the boundaries of its operational period.

in the course of its life

A more descriptive way of referring to the period of existence.

for the duration of its being

A more formal and emphatic way to describe existence.

during its period

Shorter and more direct, focusing on a specific time frame.

through its entire existence

Emphasizes the completeness of the duration.

across its active period

Highlights the time when something is functioning.

over the length of its activity

Focuses on the active or operational phase.

FAQs

How can I use "in its lifetime" in a sentence?

Use "in its lifetime" to describe something that happens or is achieved during the entire existence of something. For example, "The Hubble telescope has circled our planet many times "in its lifetime"."

What are some alternatives to "in its lifetime"?

You can use alternatives like "during its existence", "over its duration", or "throughout its life cycle" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "during its lifetime" instead of "in its lifetime"?

Both "in its lifetime" and "during its lifetime" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. However, "in its lifetime" is slightly more common.

How does the meaning of "in its lifetime" differ from "throughout its history"?

"In its lifetime" refers to the entire period of existence of something, while "throughout its history" emphasizes significant events or changes that occurred over that period. For instance, a company might have faced numerous challenges "throughout its history", but achieved significant milestones "in its lifetime".