life time

USAGE SUMMARY

"life time" is a valid phrase in written English.
It refers to the duration of someone's life or the period of time during which something is in existence. Example: "The witness claimed to have known the suspect for their entire life time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"Enough words to last a life time.

The New Yorker

Life time love of husband Harvey.

The New York Times

Love gives life; time destroys all.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His life time was spent in the service of others.

The New York Times

His photos and articles have appeared in Life, Time, Newsweek and Forbes Magazine.

The New York Times

Life Time.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The life times of tools and dies are extended significantly.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The life times of servers and operating/standby units and their repair times follow exponential distribution.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The life times of nuclear/gas turbine generators and servers are exponentially distributed.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The life times of operating units, standby units and servers are exponentially distributed.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

We assume that the randomly picked period is a representative fraction of the companies' life times.

Business Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing technical specifications, especially in scientific or engineering contexts, use "life time" to refer to the operational duration of a component or system. This provides a clear and concise way to communicate the expected lifespan of the item.

Common error

Avoid using "life time" when "lifetime" (one word) is intended as an adjective. For example, use "lifetime warranty" instead of "life time warranty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "life time" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It specifies a period of time during which something exists, operates, or is relevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and frequently used. The examples show its usage across various domains from scientific equipment to personal experiences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "life time" is a versatile noun phrase used to indicate the duration of existence or operation. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it is commonly found in scientific, news, and business contexts. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's important to differentiate it from the adjectival form "lifetime". When you need to convey duration with precision, "life time" is a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lifetime

Single word form; implies the duration of existence or operation.

duration of life

More formal way to specify the length of someone's life.

period of existence

Emphasizes the state of being alive or operational.

length of life

Focuses on the measurable extent of a life.

existence span

Highlights the entire period something exists.

lifespan

Refers to the typical or maximum length of life for a species or individual.

years of existence

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of life.

operating life

Specifically refers to the duration something is functional.

service life

Relates to the period something is used or maintained.

time on earth

Poetic expression for the duration of a person's life.

FAQs

How is "life time" used in scientific contexts?

In scientific fields, "life time" often refers to the duration a particle, cell, or system exists or functions. For instance, it can describe the operational period of a sensor in a wireless network or the duration of fluorescence in a molecule.

What's the difference between "life time" and "lifetime"?

"Life time" (two words) is a noun phrase referring to the duration of existence or operation. "Lifetime" (one word) is typically used as an adjective meaning 'lasting a lifetime' or 'for life'. For example, a "life time achievement award" versus a "lifetime warranty".

Can I use "life time" to describe a person's entire existence?

Yes, "life time" can refer to a person's entire existence. However, "lifetime" is more commonly used in this context. For example, "She dedicated her lifetime to environmental conservation."

What are some alternatives to "life time" in technical writing?

In technical writing, consider alternatives like "operating life", "service life", or "duration of operation" to specify the period a system or component is expected to function.