life to date

USAGE SUMMARY

'life to date' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually refers to one's past and present experiences up until the present time, and can often be used in reference to how far one has come or achieved. For example: "I am so proud of my achievements, personal and professional, in life to date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It used to be that "you were trained your whole life to date," said Ms. Bogle.

The New York Times

His life to date has not shown the markings of greatness.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was the singular most transformational moment of my life to date.

Princeton University

Remember, your CV is not a complete account of your life to date, but a carefully worded summary.

The Guardian

Quite a lot of these men have featured in her short but interesting professional life to date, Lowell tells me.

The Guardian - Music

"How did I become so positive?" "Everything I have thought of in my life to date has worked for me".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Nevertheless, it was the defining moment of my life to date--the issue of the curse--just as much as her death was.

Vice

This tetraintercalator was shown to bind to its 14 bp hybrid site with a dissociation half-life of 16 days, the longest reported half-life, to date, for any DNA-binding molecule.

Biochemistry

If I were turning 40 this year, I would find that summing up of my life-to-date cause for pride, anxiety and hope.

Yale University

Life-to-date sales for the Call of Duty franchise exceed worldwide theatrical box office for Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, two of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time".

The Guardian - Tech

Undistributed Net Investment Income (UNII) – the life-to-date balance of a fund's net investment income less distributions of net investment income.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "life to date" to provide context when summarizing someone's experiences or achievements, especially when highlighting significant changes or developments over time.

Common error

Avoid using "life to date" in informal settings. Opt for simpler phrases like "so far" or "until now" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "life to date" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective by specifying a timeframe encompassing all of someone's experiences up to the present. Ludwig shows it is a commonly used phrase to describe a period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "life to date" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier, clarifying that a statement applies to the entirety of someone's experiences up to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s typically used in neutral to slightly formal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, and professional communications. While "life to date" can be useful for providing a comprehensive scope, it's best to avoid it in casual settings where simpler phrases like "so far" or "until now" would be more appropriate. Remember that using "life to date" provides important context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lifetime thus far

Emphasizes the duration of existence until now; more formal.

experiences until now

Focuses specifically on the cumulative experiences, rather than the entirety of life.

entire existence so far

Highlights the complete span of existence, adding a sense of finality.

past and present experiences

Directly states the combined scope of experiences up to the current time.

everything up to this point

Generalizes the concept to include all aspects, not just 'life'.

my journey so far

Implies a progression or personal development; more narrative.

up until the present day

Highlights the continuous aspect leading to the current moment.

all my days until now

Poetic and emphasizes the passage of time; less common.

track record thus far

Focuses on achievements and performance, especially in professional contexts.

personal history to date

More formal and often used when documenting or recounting someone's life.

FAQs

How can I use "life to date" in a sentence?

You can use "life to date" to summarize a person's experiences or achievements up to the present time. For instance, "His career "life to date" has been marked by innovation and leadership".

What's a more concise alternative to "life to date"?

Alternatives include "so far", "until now", or "to date", which are suitable for less formal contexts.

Is "life to date" formal or informal?

"Life to date" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal, appropriate for professional or academic writing. Simpler alternatives are better for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "life to date" and "lifetime achievements"?

"Life to date" refers to all experiences up to now, while "lifetime achievements" focuses specifically on significant accomplishments during that period. The latter is more selective and highlights successes.