it has a lifespan of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has a lifespan of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the duration of time that something is expected to last or function effectively. Example: "This battery is designed for heavy use and it has a lifespan of up to five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Qat is imported from Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen on regular flights to Heathrow but has to be distributed rapidly as it has a lifespan of only 48 hours.

The Guardian

Although this bulb starts up relatively quickly and, as the name suggests, is usable with a dimmer, it has a lifespan of just 8,000 hours and performed very poorly in colder temperatures.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I still believe it's one of the best tech purchases I've ever made, but it'd be nicer if it had a lifespan of more than a year.

TechCrunch

It is imported from Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen on regular flights to Heathrow but has to be distributed rapidly as it only has a lifespan of 48 hours.

The Guardian

"The mosquito only has a lifespan of about three weeks so it needs to pick up the pathogen early in its life to pass it on.

BBC

An Instagram photo has a lifespan of three to four hours before it disappears into the Instagram community.

WikiHow

The device comes with a 230W lamp that has a lifespan of 5,000 hours and depending on the operating mode, it can be as quiet as 25dB.

TechCrunch

While plastic bubble wrap has a lifespan of hundreds of years, Hart's painting suspended within it can be lost in seconds if viewers give into the temptation to pop the bubbles.

Vice

It's not surprising top retailers advise their design teams that mid-priced clothing only has a lifespan of five weeks in the average wardrobe.

The Guardian

Practically, the fruit fly has a lifespan of around four weeks, meaning that we can examine and generate thousands of specimens in a research heartbeat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Facility technology has a lifespan of 20 years or more.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the expected lifetime of a product or system, quantify the "lifespan" with specific units of time (e.g., years, hours, cycles) to provide concrete information for the reader.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about "lifespan" without providing specific metrics. For example, instead of saying "it has a long lifespan", specify "it has a lifespan of 10 years under normal use."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has a lifespan of" functions as a descriptor, indicating the expected duration or period of viability for a subject. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to specify the length of time something is functional.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it has a lifespan of" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating the expected duration of something. As determined by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and suitable for describing the operational life of products, systems, or organisms. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and general informational contexts. For clarity, it is best practice to quantify the lifespan with specific time units. Alternatives such as "it lasts for" or "its duration is" can be used for variety, but the key is to provide clear and specific details about the duration being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it lasts for

Focuses on the duration without explicitly mentioning 'lifespan'.

its duration is

Emphasizes the duration as a property.

it has a duration of

Rephrases 'lifespan' with 'duration'.

it is expected to last

Highlights the expectation of longevity.

it is designed to endure

Focuses on the designed ability to last.

it is built to last

Emphasizes the construction quality that ensures longevity.

it is projected to survive for

Uses 'survive' to suggest longevity, typically for organisms or systems.

it maintains functionality for

Highlights the period of operational effectiveness.

its service life is

A more technical term for lifespan, particularly for equipment.

it remains viable for

Emphasizes continued functionality or effectiveness over a period.

FAQs

What does "it has a lifespan of" mean?

The phrase "it has a lifespan of" indicates the duration or period something is expected to function or remain viable. For instance, "this light bulb has a lifespan of 1000 hours" means the bulb should work for approximately 1000 hours.

How can I use "it has a lifespan of" in a sentence?

You can use "it has a lifespan of" to describe the expected duration of anything from products to projects. For example, "the solar panels have a lifespan of 25 years", or "the project "is expected to last" five years before needing an update".

What are some alternatives to "it has a lifespan of"?

Alternatives include "it lasts for", "its duration is", or simply specifying the duration directly, like "the battery lasts 5 hours".

Is it better to say "it has a lifespan of" or "its lifespan is"?

Both "it has a lifespan of" and "its lifespan is" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the sentence structure and desired emphasis. "It has a lifespan of" often introduces the duration, while "its lifespan is" is used when the lifespan is already the topic.