normal course of life

USAGE SUMMARY

"normal course of life" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the expected or routine way of conducting one's life. For example, "I had to adjust to the normal course of life after leaving the military."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

In the normal course of life a creature's cells must be constantly dividing — millions of times a second.

The New York Times - Health

We all, in the normal course of life, accept some cruelty or brutality as essential to the work of the world, or the integrity of our side, and build a wall of acceptable insulation around our souls.

The New Yorker

"It is ecstatic in the sense that you are lifted out of the normal course of life... you are exalted.

Huffington Post

Roberts' pictures are of cities, lakes, plazas, public spaces, beaches, parks, conference rooms and so on -- all the regular kinds of places one might go in the normal course of life in town or countryside.

Huffington Post

The crutch: We step in when things get hard, finish the task, extend the deadline, and talk to the adults; thus, kids don't know that in the normal course of life things won't always go their way, and that they'll be okay regardless.

Huffington Post

Furthermore, in the case of the 'oldest old' where physical and cognitive functions often deteriorate steadily, GPs experience the gradual decline as the normal course of life.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"I think she'd be delighted that the conservancy has come up with a plan to protect the oldest parts of the building, while allowing the rest of it to be changed in the normal course of family life".

The New York Times

The Nazi revolution had bypassed this institution, or so it appeared to Haffner, who writes that he was "inclined to view the undisturbed functioning of the law, and indeed the continued normal course of daily life, as a triumph over the Nazis".

The New York Times - Books

During the normal course of their life, these animals develop multiple pathological changes that are characteristic of premature aging [7].

Aging

Yet dull wisdom insists that one can't stay up there for long, before, in the normal course of the gambling life, loss, sadness, and squalor kick in, which they inevitably will.

The New Yorker

The normal cell is able to repair such genetic damage through its DNA repair mechanisms, such as the so-called mismatch repair genes, whose normal function is to identify and repair defective DNA segments that arise in the normal course of a cell's life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "normal course of life" to describe events, experiences, or processes that are typical and expected within a lifespan or a specific period.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "normal course of life" when discussing highly specific or unusual situations where the concept of 'normal' might be misleading or irrelevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "normal course of life" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner in which something occurs. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it specifies the usual or expected progression of events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "normal course of life" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the typical progression of events or experiences in human existence. Ludwig AI indicates that it functions as a noun phrase, primarily serving to contextualize events within the framework of expected human experience. While applicable across various contexts, it's most frequently found in science and news media. When writing, use "normal course of life" to portray the expected flow of events, but be mindful of its appropriateness in highly specific or unusual contexts where the notion of 'normal' may not apply. Alternatives such as "typical life circumstances" or "natural progression of life" may offer nuanced substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

natural progression of life

Highlights the natural development and evolution of life, adding a sense of inevitability.

typical life circumstances

Focuses on the circumstances or conditions, making it more specific than the original phrase.

expected life journey

Uses a metaphor of a journey, adding a narrative element not present in the original phrase.

everyday existence

Emphasizes the routine and common aspects of life, differing in focus from the expected progression.

standard life trajectory

Implies a path or direction, making it more directional compared to the general concept of a "normal" course.

ordinary human experience

Highlights the human aspect of experiences, making it more anthropocentric.

routine life events

Highlights specific events, making it narrower than encompassing the entirety of someone's "life".

day-to-day living

Concentrates on daily activities and habits, versus the entire concept of someone's "life".

conventional life pattern

Focuses on conformity and societal norms, contrasting with simply being "normal".

usual life cycle

Refers to a biological process, restricting the broader sense of "life" used in the query.

FAQs

How can I use "normal course of life" in a sentence?

You can use "normal course of life" to describe expected events or experiences, such as, "In the "normal course of life", people experience both joy and sorrow."

What's a phrase similar to "normal course of life"?

Similar phrases include "natural progression of life", "everyday existence", or "typical life circumstances", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "normal course of life"?

While generally applicable, consider the context. In situations discussing highly unusual or specific scenarios, a more precise phrase might be more appropriate than ""normal course of life"".

What implications does "normal course of life" have?

The phrase often implies a sense of expectation or routine. It can be used to contrast typical experiences with those that deviate from what's considered ""normal course of life"".