life expectancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "life expectancy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the average duration of life for a particular population or demographic. An example is: "The life expectancy in this country has increased over the past decade." Alternative expressions include "average lifespan" and "life span."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eventually, life expectancy suffers.

The New York Times

My life expectancy is long.

The New York Times

Their life expectancy plummeted.

The New York Times - Magazine

Life expectancy has improved.

Harvard University

Current life expectancy.

The New York Times

Consider average life expectancy.

The New York Times

Life expectancy — very high".

The New Yorker

Their life expectancy was short.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Likewise, life expectancy.

The New York Times

Neither reduces life expectancy.

The Guardian

Life expectancy was around thirty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "life expectancy", consider specifying the demographic or population group to which it refers. This provides clarity and avoids generalizations. For example, "life expectancy in Japan" or "life expectancy for women".

Common error

Don't use "life expectancy" to refer to the longest possible time a member of a species can live. "Life expectancy" represents an average, while maximum lifespan indicates the extreme limit. Using them interchangeably is misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "life expectancy" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object in a sentence, referring to the average number of years a person is expected to live. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in discussing trends and statistics related to longevity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

21%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "life expectancy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that denotes the average number of years an individual is expected to live. As Ludwig showcases, the phrase appears most often in news and academic contexts, serving to inform and analyze trends in longevity. Its usage is generally neutral, becoming more formal in scientific settings. Keep in mind that "life expectancy" represents an average, distinct from maximum lifespan. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and wide applicability of this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

average lifespan

Focuses on the duration of life, similar to life expectancy, but uses different terminology.

anticipated years of life

Emphasizes the expected number of years a person is likely to live.

expected duration of life

Highlights the duration aspect, similar to lifespan, but with a slightly different emphasis.

projected longevity

Implies a forecast of how long someone is expected to live, focusing on long life.

average time to live

A more direct and literal way of expressing the average duration of life.

statistical life expectancy

Adds the statistical aspect, emphasizing the data-driven nature of the estimate.

probable years of survival

Focuses on the probability of surviving a certain number of years.

estimated years of life

Highlights the fact that life expectancy is an estimate, not a certainty.

potential lifespan

Emphasizes the potential maximum duration of life, rather than the average.

years of remaining life

Suggests the number of years a person has left to live, often used in the context of older individuals.

FAQs

How do I use "life expectancy" in a sentence?

You can use "life expectancy" to discuss the average number of years a person is expected to live. For example, "Healthcare improvements have increased the "life expectancy" in many countries".

What factors influence "life expectancy"?

"Life expectancy" is influenced by a variety of factors including genetics, access to healthcare, diet, lifestyle, and environmental conditions.

What's the difference between "life span" and "life expectancy"?

"Life span" refers to the maximum number of years a member of a species can live, while "life expectancy" is the average number of years a person is expected to live.

What are some other ways to say "life expectancy"?

You can use alternatives such as "average lifespan", "anticipated years of life", or "expected duration of life depending on the context.