marks the life

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marks the life" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has a significant impact or influence on a person's life or experiences. Example: "The loss of her father marks the life of the protagonist, shaping her character and decisions throughout the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

SIMPLICITY marks the life of Rosa Parks.

The New York Times - Books

Aviva is in talks to buy Friends Life in a £5.6bn takeover that marks the life assurance industry's first major reaction to the pension reforms unveiled by chancellor George Osborne in the spring.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And you were never alone: "Above all, it was this that marked the life".

The Guardian - Books

(Washington Post) Honest Abe's Trail A historian and consultant on Steven Spielberg's film "Lincoln" lists his favorite places that mark the life of the sixteenth president.

The New York Times

The civil war, the ensuing Franco dictatorship and the eventual transition to democracy on the general's death in 1975 all marked the life of Pernau.

The Guardian

Earlier this year the writer and poet Paul Kingsnorth suggested that we should celebrate Barnes Night, to mark the life of another neglected genius, William Barnes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The previous night, he was celebrating Prince's birthday (the first since the pop star's death in April), marking the life of someone whose work had been crucial to his own musical development.

The Guardian - Music

José Mourinho had won the Champions League with a counterattacking Porto side and Greece had won Euro 2004 by man-marking the life out of games, and attacking football still prevailed.

The Guardian - Sport

It's slightly uncomfortable to mark the life of a man who died in a car crash with a series of clips where several cars are spectacularly destroyed, but this is what Paul Walker did.

The Guardian - Film

Today we mark the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr.

Huffington Post

According to Fawcett, four periods mark the life of liberalism.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "marks the life", ensure that the subject clearly indicates a significant event, experience, or influence that has a lasting impact on someone's life. Provide context to clarify the nature and extent of this influence.

Common error

Avoid using "marks the life" for minor or transient events that do not have a substantial, lasting impact. Overusing the phrase for insignificant occurrences dilutes its meaning and weakens your writing.

Linguistic Context

Marks the life functions as a verb phrase, typically indicating that something significantly influences or defines someone's existence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples demonstrate its usage in describing events that shape a person's character or experiences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marks the life" is a phrase used to describe how certain events or experiences significantly influence someone's existence. While Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, it is relatively rare. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts and has a neutral tone. Consider related phrases like "defines the life" or "shapes the life" for alternative phrasing. When employing this phrase, ensure the subject has a significant, lasting impact, and avoid using it for minor events to maintain its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defines the life

Emphasizes the defining aspects or characteristics of someone's existence.

shapes the life

Focuses on the formative influence on someone's life course.

influences the life

Highlights the effect on someone's decisions or path.

impacts the life

Indicates a significant effect or consequence on someone's experiences.

characterizes the life

Similar to 'defines', but underscores distinctive traits.

leaves a mark on the life

Suggests a lasting impression.

colors the life

Implies a subtle but pervasive influence.

leaves its imprint on the life

Emphasizes the lasting effect.

sets the tone for the life

Implies establishes a prevailing mood or character for one's existence

molds the existence

Focuses on the molding of the general existence.

FAQs

How can I use "marks the life" in a sentence?

Use "marks the life" to describe a significant event or influence that has a lasting impact on someone's existence. For example: "The war "marks the life" of many refugees, leaving them with trauma and displacement".

What can I say instead of "marks the life"?

You can use alternatives like "defines the life", "shapes the life", or "influences the life" depending on the context.

Is "marks the life" formal or informal language?

"Marks the life" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "defines the life" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What is the difference between "marks the life" and "leaves a mark on the life"?

"Marks the life" implies a defining or significant influence, while "leaves a mark on the life" suggests a lasting impression, which may not necessarily be as profound or defining.