life permits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "life permits" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used when referring to a situation or circumstance that is allowing something to be done or not done. For example, "If life permits, I would like to go on a trip next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And yet, I try To keep my wits At least as much As life permits.

The New Yorker

The phrase that she "wants" to use ("missing from Harris's life") permits the retraction ("that isn't right") and the accompanying clarification ("They were in his life").

The Guardian - Books

"What kind of life permits a person the right to become his own subject?" This might lead us to wonder why she chose to write a memoir herself.

The Guardian - Books

A third offers American Indian jewelry; a sign on the door of the shop, called Silver Feather, gives Saturday and Sunday opening hours and adds "We will be open weekdays as life permits".

The New York Times - Travel

Still, modern life permits a distance from death and dying that brings its own problems, not least a difficulty in accepting the inevitable, or being able to adequately grieve.

The Guardian - Books

"To see that what you're doing is really helping someone" has impressed him as a rewarding part of being a lawyer, he said, adding that when his personal life permits, probably in two or three years, he will apply to law school.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In the narrow alleyways of civic life permitted by authoritarian governments in the region, opportunities exist as long as certain limits are observed.

The New York Times

This means much higher taxes next year, but much lower taxes later in life, permitting the couple to spend $113,758 each year.

Forbes

These three types of property were afforded a 15-year life -- rather than the customary 39-year life -- a benefit that was doubly advantageous, because by giving these types of property a 15-year life, they now became eligible for bonus depreciation, as a 15-year life is less than the 20-year maximum life permitted for the 50% haircut.

Forbes

Rarely does life permit return.

Huffington Post

As such, the cell autonomous theory is often associated with long-lived cells that remain and function within the organism throughout most of adult life, permitting time to accumulate damage.

Aging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "life permits" to indicate that actions or plans are contingent on the circumstances and opportunities that life presents. This phrase is particularly useful when discussing future possibilities that are not guaranteed.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "life permits" can sound slightly informal in very formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "circumstances allowing" or "as conditions allow" in those settings to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "life permits" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a condition or contingency upon which an action or event depends. It sets a requirement related to one's circumstances for something to be possible, mirroring how Ludwig's examples showcase plans being subject to unforeseen life events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "life permits" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that an action or plan is contingent upon the opportunities and circumstances life provides. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides several examples from reputable sources, primarily in the news and media. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in neutral contexts to express conditional possibility. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "circumstances allowing". Remember to use it to indicate possibilities dependent on life's unfolding events, as illustrated by the Ludwig examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as life enables

A more concise way of expressing the enabling aspect of life's circumstances.

life circumstances allowing

Replaces "permits" with a more descriptive phrase highlighting the influence of life circumstances.

when life is conducive

Suggests a favorable alignment of life's conditions.

when life allows

Simplifies the structure while retaining the core meaning of opportunity contingent on life's conditions.

as life makes possible

Emphasizes the enabling aspect of life's conditions, suggesting potential rather than explicit permission.

depending on the opportunities life presents

Highlights the opportunistic nature of the situation, focusing on what life offers.

if life provides the opportunity

Extends the phrase to highlight the element of chance and availability.

given life's constraints

Focuses on the limitations that life imposes, contrasting with the enabling aspect.

contingent on life's unfolding

Implies that future possibilities depend on how life progresses or reveals itself.

subject to life's conditions

Emphasizes that any action or possibility is dependent on the state of one's life.

FAQs

How can I use "life permits" in a sentence?

You can use "life permits" to express that an action or plan is dependent on the opportunities and circumstances that life provides. For example, "We will travel to Europe, "life permits"."

What's a similar phrase to "life permits"?

Alternatives to "life permits" include "when life allows", "as circumstances allow", or "as life enables", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "life permits" formal or informal?

"Life permits" falls in the middle ground, leaning slightly towards informal. It's suitable for general conversation and writing but might need a more formal alternative like "circumstances allowing" in academic or professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "life permitted" instead of "life permits"?

While "life permitted" can be grammatically correct, it implies that life allowed something in the past. "Life permits" suggests ongoing or future allowance, making it more versatile for general statements of contingency.