in their lifetime

USAGE SUMMARY

"in their lifetime" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that occurs or is experienced within a person's lifespan. Here is an example of how it could be used in a sentence: "The Great Depression was a significant event that affected many people in their lifetime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others may never encounter a wild eagle in their lifetime.

Cornell University

One in three women have an abortion in their lifetime.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This opportunity will never come round again in their lifetime.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Thousands have made sacrifices like me in their lifetime.

The New York Times

How many people have the opportunity in their lifetime?

Independent

In their lifetime, authors have a measure of control.

The Guardian - Books

They built cathedrals that wouldn't be finished in their lifetime.

The Guardian

How many young do Great Horned Owls have in their lifetime?

Cornell University

Around one in four people will experience atrial fibrillation in their lifetime.

Stanford University

As my story notes, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

Stanford University

According to the CDC, almost one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their lifetime" to emphasize that an event or experience is significant because it happens within a person's limited time on earth. For instance, "Seeing a president inaugurated is a once-in-their-lifetime experience."

Common error

Avoid using "for their lifetime" when you mean "in their lifetime". "For their lifetime" implies providing something throughout their life, while "in their lifetime" means something happens during their life.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their lifetime" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the time frame within which an action or event occurs. It indicates that something happens or exists during the period when someone is alive. Ludwig's examples show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

24%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in their lifetime" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something occurs during a person's existence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as an adverbial phrase adding temporal context to a statement. It is versatile and appears across various domains, including news, academia, science, and even general discussions as seen in wikis. Common usages include highlighting experiences or events that occur during a specific period, adding significance due to the limited duration of life. While phrases like "during their existence" or "within their span of life" can be alternatives, it's important to differentiate its meaning from similar sounding phrases like "for their lifetime" to prevent confusion. Remember to emphasize temporal context by using "in their lifetime".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during their existence

Emphasizes the period of being alive, offering a more general substitute.

within their span of life

Highlights the duration of their life, adding a slightly more formal tone.

throughout their days

Focuses on the daily experiences within their life, sounding more poetic.

in the course of their lives

Adds emphasis on the process and progression of life.

while they are alive

Simplifies the phrase by focusing on the state of being alive.

during their time

A more general term that refers to the period they lived in.

in their day

Refers to a specific period within their lifetime, often nostalgic.

for the duration of their life

Stresses the entire length of their life as the relevant period.

as long as they live

Highlights the condition of being alive as the defining factor.

within their living memory

Restricts the period to what they can recall, limiting the timeframe.

FAQs

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

Use "in their lifetime" to indicate that something occurs or exists during a person's life. For example, "Many significant technological advancements have occurred "in their lifetime"".

What's the difference between "in their lifetime" and "throughout their life"?

"In their lifetime" emphasizes that something happens during a specific period. "Throughout their life" stresses a continuous or repeated action over the entire duration. For instance, "They faced many challenges "throughout their life"", but they witnessed many breakthroughs "in their lifetime".

What are some similar phrases to "in their lifetime"?

Alternatives include "during their existence", "within their span of life", or "in their days", depending on the context you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "in their lifetime"?

Yes, "in their lifetime" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English to describe events, experiences, or conditions that occur during a person's life. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.